The Great Artesian Basin: Ancient Water Beneath the Outback

Beneath the dry heart of Australia lies one of the planet’s most extraordinary geological treasures: the Great Artesian Basin. Spanning over 1.7 million square kilometers, it is the largest and deepest artesian water system in the world. This vast underground reservoir formed over 100 million years ago, as rainwater seeped through porous sandstone layers during the time of dinosaurs. Today, it continues to sustain life across arid inland Australia, feeding natural springs, supporting agriculture, and offering rare insights into ancient hydrological systems sealed beneath layers of impermeable rock. The Great Artesian Basin is not just a water source—it’s a dynamic record of geological history hidden below the outback.