Where Is the Outback?

1 About one-half of Australia is desert. This area is the outback .The Name comes from the words “ out in the back of the mountains and Cities”. The weather is very hot and dry , and the winds are strong. Sometimes there is no rain for many years. But when it rains, there is Water everywhere ! Not many people live in the outback.

2 The people in the outback have cattle or sheep farms. The farms are Called stations. The stations are very big Some stations are as big as a Small country Life is difficult because everything is far away . Sometimes It takes a day or two to driver to the next stations Towns are usually far Away , too People go to town once a week or once a month

3 The stations homes are very large because they have many purposes. They must be big so visitors can sleep there . Houses also have large Room to keep extra things Families buy a lot of food and supplies In town.

4 Life in the Outback. Is different in Other ways . People get mail once A week Children don’t go to school every day . They study with a school Called the School of the Air. The teacher and student talk to each other With a special radio. Most stations have an area for airplanes to land. It Is like the station’s own airport. Sick people call the Royal Flying Doctor Service . A doctor gives advice over the radio In an emergency the Doctor picks up the sick people in an airplane Then they

go to the Nearest hospital .

5 People in the Outback are careful when they travel .Before a farmer Travels to town ,he tells a friend . The friend knows what time the farmer Is coming . if the farmer is late his friend knows there is a problem. The Friend will look for the farmer . People must know how to do many things. They muss know how to fix their car if it breaks down. They always Carry extra gasoline, water, and parts for their car.

 6 Life in the Outback is very difficult , but it is good, too Here you are Close to nature, and there are many unusual animals. You also have a lot of freedom.