History of the Great Victoria Desert

 http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fgvd/facts.htm

The Great Victoria Desert has been inhabited by Abiroginal people for over 24,000 years.  They lived with the harsh environment of the desert, establishing wells and soaks in order to obtain precious water.  In the 1950s, many of these people were displaces to make room for nuclear weapons testing.  Fortunately, some lands were awarded back to the natives through acts such as the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981.  They also help with the conservation of the desert, maintaining reserves dotted throughout the area. 

In terms of ‘Western’ discoverers, Ernest Giles crossed the desert and named it for the current English Queen, Queen Victoria.  From 1903 to 1908, an explorer by the name of Frank Hann came looking for pastoral lands and gold.  Finally, in the 1960s, Len Beadell built various roads in the desert, including the road going across the Great Victoria Desert, the Anne Beadell Highway.   
-http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/great-victoria-desert.html

-http://www.diamantina-tour.com.au/outback_info/deserts/great_victoria/great_victoria_aboriginal.asp