[susan53]

With regard to Australia, is there any difference between the bush and the outback, or are they synonyms? Would desert areas be called the bush for instance?

[clivehawkins]

Hi Susan, I guess we need an Aussie to answer this one, but in the meantime I found this.

Outback refers to remote and arid areas of Australia, although the term colloquially can cover any lands outside of the main urban areas. The term "outback" is generally used to refer to locations that are comparatively more remote than those areas deemed "the bush".