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Simpson Desert – Big Red Dune. Photo by Robinsoncrusoe.

Top 10 facts about Big Red Sand Dunes, Australia

The red sand dunes occur in a large dry area known as the Simpson Desert. It is located in the northern territory and Queensland in central Australia.

The dry red sand dunes cover a large area of about 176,500 km and are considered the fourth largest Australian desert. It is underlain by Great Artesian Basin which is considered the largest inland drainage in the entire world.

It contains one of the world’s largest parallel sand dunes which run from the northwest to the southwest up to a distance of 100 miles. The dunes are 20 – 37 meters high and about 450 meters apart.

The area is visited by several tourists to observe some of the world’s fragile desert landscapes and the inland drainage.

There are some unique species of both flora and fauna found in the area that has specifically adapted to the climatic condition.

Below are the 10 facts about big Red Sand Dunes in central Australia.

1. The Climatic Condition is Exceedingly Dry

Image by Bruce McLennan from

The area experiences very low precipitation of about 125 mm or less annually, and the area is extremely dry.

It receives periodic temporary flooding resulting from rainfall in other regions flowing into the area. The periodic flooding is responsible for the rich flora and fauna.

In some other seasons, the area may experience heavy rainfall which causes floods. The floods that occur do not pass through the desert’s heart.

2. It is a Refuge for Some Desert Birds and Animal Species

Family of emus in the simpson desert. photo by Paul Flemons.

Some of the world’s rare species can also be found in the area such as the fat-tailed marsupial mouse. It is habited by about 180 bird species, 92 reptile species, and up to 44 mammals.

Some of the native mammals found in the area include carnivorous mulgara, tiny, and the bilby. Some of the birds include brown falcons, barn owls, and cockatoos.

Some animals obtain their moisture from the diet that they take. These animal species have specific adaptions that make the dry dunes suitable for their survival.

3. Well Adapted Plant Species Resides in the Area

Most of the plant species that are predominant in the desert include spinifex hummock grassland, acacia shrub lands, coolibah riverine woodland, and the narrow river red gum.

Some of the acacia species and the grevillea are also found together with these grasses.

These plant species have some unique adaptations for their survival such as small leaves that reduce the rate of evaporation due to the intense heat. They also have fewer stomata which occur underneath the leaves to face away from the sun. Shallow and widespread roots absorb as much moisture during rainy seasons.

4. Tourists are Very Popular in the Desert

Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2018, Day 5, Stage 9, riding on Big Red. Photo by Eckart Altenkamp.

The red sand dunes are a very popular tourist attraction, especially during the winter. Some of the popular landmarks are the ruins and the mound springs found in Dalhousie Springs.

Due to the excessive heat during the summer, the area is closed. The Big Red Bash is considered the most remote music festival and is a major attraction for tourists.

The area also contains some endangered species of plants and animals which are used for scientific research.

5. The Native People Were Hunters and Gatherers

The native people in the land included the Arabana, Karangura, Eastern Arrente, Wangkamadla, and lower Southern Arrente.

These groups of people were hunters and gatherers who cooked seed patties from roots, native grasses, and hunted birds and mammals.

They extensively traded both in the south and north with the natural resources the land produced.

6. Charles Sturt was the First European to Explore the Desert

Ted Colson’s expedition across the Simpson Desert. Unknown author.

Charles Sturt became the first person from European to see the desert in 1845. He was trying to look for an inland sea where he found the Simpson Desert. After his discovery, other people explored the desert.

Ted Colson became the first nonindigenous to cross the entire desert on a camel in 1936.

In 1980 Bob Beer became the first person to run through the desert on foot for 6.5 days covering 420 km.

7. Oil Exploration was Carried Out in the Simpson Desert

The first oil exploration took place between the 1960s and 1980s but the efforts proved to be futile. The cause of unsuccessful exploration was the inaccessibility of the area largely caused by the extensive dunes.

After the failure to explore oil, it opened the land for tourists, especially those that had four-wheel drive vehicles.

8. The Massive Red Sand Dunes Are Prone to Flooding

The desert region is popular for flooding which occurs in specific seasons of the year. Flooding occurs as a result of heavy rainfall in the surrounding areas which flows toward the desert.

The desert may also flood as a result of heavy rainfall which is not very common in the area but may be observed in some rainy seasons.

Some animal species are well adapted to the flooding conditions such as the water-holding frog.

9. The Red Sand Dunes Are Mainly Made up of Quartz Grains

sand dune on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert. Photo by Phanly.

Quartz is the major sediment that is predominant in the area. It is a hard crystalline mineral that is mostly made up of silica, and it is mostly rounded and are sub-angular in shape.

The size of the grains varies from 0.05mm to 1.2mm. The size of 0.5mm is the typical size of the crests, and 0.3mm is the average size of the dune.

10. The Species Are Secure Due to Lack of Human Encroachment

The different species in the desert remain relatively secure since there are no human activities carried out in the area. Human settlement threatens the species’ habitats thus endangering the threatened species.

The species are however threatened by the introduction of species such as rabbits and feral camels.

The Red Sand Dunes in central Australia is a very unique place to visit especially for its richness in rare and endangered species. It is a major source of attraction for tourists particularly the Big Red Bash.

The endangered species provide an opportunity for the different institutions to carry out significant research with ease.