GREAT VICTORIA DESERT

wasteland, Western and South Australia, between Gibson Desert on the north and Nullarbor Plain on the south and extending eastward from Kalgoorlie almost to the Stuart Range. Much of its eastern end is occupied by the Central and North West Aboriginal reserves. A vast expanse of sand hills, partly fixed by Triodia (Spinifex) grass and salt marshes, it was penetrated (from east to west) in 1875 by the explorer Ernest Giles, who named it Great Victoria Desert. Crossed by the Laverton-Warburton Mission Track (which links the mission station in the Warburton Range, in Western Australia, with Laverton, 350 miles southwest), it is also tracked for the recovery of missiles whose trajectories are guided from the weapons-testing range that is located at Woomera. There are several national parks and reserves in the area, including the Great Victoria Desert Nature Reserve, the Nullarbor National Park, and the Flora and Fauna Conservation Park.