The Great Sandy Desert is a vast, arid region located primarily in northern Western Australia, extending eastward into the Northern Territory. It is recognized as Australia's second-largest desert area, following only the Great Victoria Desert.
Location and Extent
Based on geographical descriptions, the Great Sandy Desert covers a significant portion of the Australian landscape. Its boundaries and extent are clearly defined:
- Western Boundary: The desert reaches the coast at Eighty Mile Beach on the Indian Ocean.
- Eastern Extent: It stretches eastward, extending into the Northern Territory.
- Northern Boundary: The desert begins south of Kimberley Downs.
- Southern Boundary: It extends southward, reaching the Tropic of Capricorn and bordering the Gibson Desert.
Key Geographical Features
The desert's geography is characterized by these distinct limits, defining its shape and interaction with surrounding regions and geographical markers.
| Direction | Boundary/Extent |
|---|---|
| West | Eighty Mile Beach on the Indian Ocean |
| East | Extends into the Northern Territory |
| North | South from Kimberley Downs |
| South | To the Tropic of Capricorn and the Gibson Desert |
This extensive area represents a significant part of Australia's arid interior landscape.
