The surface waters of central Australia are briefly discussed. Analyses are presented of the ionic composition of some relatively non-saline and mostly permanent surface waters in the southern part of the Northern Territory. A brief note upon their fauna is included. Such waters are of interest because of their extreme isolation in so arid an area. They contain from 77 to 3735 p.p.m. total dissolved salts and their ionic ratios are variable. The ionic compositions are discussed.