Water in Australia

Australia is the second driest continent on Earth, after the Antarctic. The availability of water has defined the spread of human settlement, from the arrival of the first Aboriginal Australians over 50,000 years ago, right up until the present. Water is precious in Australia and it is not a free resource. Discover the role in human history of the hidden, underground water sources across Australia and see how the presence or lack of water has affected our geography, economy and history.

Australia is an ancient country, with landscapes that range from snowy alps to red deserts. The plants and animals in Australia’s landscapes include rare and unique species, some of which are descendants of the wildlife that flourished on Gondwana, the prehistoric continent that existed long before Australia separated and moved across the globe to its present location. Read about the sustainability issues that affect Australia’s natural environments, and what is being done to preserve them for the future. Discover the geography and history of each of Australia’s magnificent landscapes, and investigate their importance to the Indigenous Australians who have lived in them for thousands of years.