Simpson Desert

desert · Australia · red sand · extreme landscape

Massive sandy landscape. The Simpson Desert covers 176,500 square kilometers, making it huge enough to fit entire countries inside it. It spreads across three Australian states: the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Queensland.

Brilliant red sand. The desert's famous rusty-red color comes from iron oxide in the sand, creating one of the most striking desert landscapes in the world. The red dunes can stretch for miles in perfect lines.

Fourth in Australia. While Australia has bigger deserts like the Great Victoria Desert and Great Sandy Desert, the Simpson Desert is still the fourth-largest desert in the whole country.

Hot and harsh. Daytime temperatures soar extremely high, and the landscape has very little water, making it one of the most challenging environments on Earth. Only the toughest plants and animals can survive there.