Yes. All major cities are on the coast; except Canberra, the National Capital; which doesn't count for much.
The rest is empty but for a few oasis like Alice Springs 26,000 pop.
Total population of 20,000,000 is a lot less than California.... and Australia is almost the size of the USA.
I flew to the Birdsville races and only passed two towns in 5:30hrs. Mildura Pop 28,000 and Broken Hill Pop 20,000. Only fuel stops.
Birdsville pop 200 swells to 6000 for the races.
I hear some people went to the races. The other 5,900 hung around the pub.
Pete.
PS see also my post "No Turbo or Oxy Reqd. An Aussie Geography Lesson"