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Australia's landscape is highly diverse, ranging from snow-capped mountains to large deserts, tropical and temperate forests, grasslands, heathlands, and woodlands. It is the flattest continent and, excluding Antarctica, the driest. The landscape is the result of millions of years of climatic and geological processes, with some of the oldest geological features in the world, including rare zircon crystals dating back 4400 million years. Australia's landscape can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Vast plains, flatlands, low-lying areas, and deserts |
| Elevation | The lowest continent, with an average elevation of 330 meters; highest peak, Mount Kosciusko, is 2,228 meters |
| Climate | Dry; variable rainfall; subtropical high-pressure belt; influenced by El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole |
| Water Bodies | Coastal areas with fertile soils; inland areas with saline streams and lakes due to high evaporation rates |
| Geology | Ancient rocks and rare zircon crystals; five distinct provinces, including cratons, orogenic belts, sedimentary basins, Tasman Foldbelt, and Great Artesian Basin |
| Landforms | Coastal Plains, Eastern Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Western Plateau |
| Population | 87% of Australians live within 50 km of the shoreline |
| Indigenous Population | 3.2% of the population, with the highest proportion in the Northern Territory at 26.3% |
| Natural Landmarks | Great Barrier Reef, Blue Mountains, Kakadu National Park, Uluru, Tasmanian Wilderness |
| Biodiversity | Kangaroos, livestock, diverse marine life, unique plant species |
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What You'll Learn
- The Australian landscape is vast and extremely diverse
- It is the flattest continent and the second driest
- The geography ranges from snow-capped mountains to large deserts
- The landform regions are the Coastal Plains, Eastern Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Western Plateau
- The landscape is also characterised by high salt content in soils, surface water, and groundwater
The Australian landscape is vast and extremely diverse
The geography of Australia covers a territorial area of 7,688,287 square kilometers (2,968,464 square miles), including the mainland, the insular state of Tasmania, and thousands of minor islands spread over the Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans, and surrounding the mainland landmass. The country is located within the loosely defined region of Australasia/Oceania in the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands, or the Great Dividing Range, runs inland from the coast as a chain of highlands, from Cape York in northern Queensland to the southern seaboard of Tasmania. The range often appears as a bold range of mountains, though few of its peaks exceed 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). The Eastern Highlands include Tasmania, which is the small island to the south of the mainland.
The Australian landscape is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including kangaroos and livestock such as sheep and cattle. The country's unique location under a subtropical high-pressure belt and surrounded by other climate drivers like El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole makes most of Western Australia a hot desert. The coastal areas, on the other hand, benefit from more rainfall and fertile soils, giving rise to a huge number of species and a proliferation of life.
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It is the flattest continent and the second driest
Australia is the flattest continent and the second driest after Antarctica. The landscape is very distinctive and unique, with vast plains, sometimes the colour of dried blood, more often tawny like a lion’s skin, that may seem to be one huge desert. The continent has some of the oldest geological features in the world, with the oldest known rocks dating from more than 3000 million years ago and rare zircon crystals dating back 4400 million years.
The Australian landscape is the result of millions of years of climatic and geological processes. The continent is situated in the middle of the homonymous tectonic plate, which makes it very stable, with little geological activity. The landform regions are the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands, for example, include the Blue Mountains in New South Wales, where the Three Sisters rock formation is located.
The coastal rim is largely exempt from the prevailing flatness and aridity of the rest of the country. The east coast, where the majority of Australians live, is topographically diverse and comparatively well-watered and fertile. The Great Dividing Range, a chain of highlands, runs inland from the coast.
The aridity of the Australian landscape is due in part to the country's unique location under a subtropical high-pressure belt and surrounded by other climate drivers like El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole. Ten deserts make up nearly 20% of Australia. The dry climate and highly weathered landscape have led to high salt content in soils, surface water, and groundwater.
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The geography ranges from snow-capped mountains to large deserts
Australia is a country of extremes, with a diverse geography that ranges from snow-capped mountains to large deserts. The Australian landscape is extremely varied, from the snow-capped peaks of the Australian Alps and Tasmania to the vast, arid deserts in the country's interior. The country is both the flattest and, excluding Antarctica, the driest continent. The Great Dividing Range, a chain of highlands, runs inland from the east coast, which is topographically diverse and fertile. The range rarely exceeds 5,000 feet (1,500 metres) and is more akin to a giant plateau.
The Great Australian Desert is a diverse region, encompassing semi-desert grasslands, shrublands, salt pans, stony deserts, red sand dunes, sandstone mesas, rocky plains, savannahs, and bushlands. The desert covers 3 million square kilometres and is one of the least modified regions globally, with some of the oldest rocks on Earth. The Great Victoria Desert, the Great Sandy Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Tanami Desert are all part of this vast arid region.
The Simpson Desert, covering parts of Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory, is Australia's fourth-largest desert and the world's largest sand dune desert. The Strzelecki Desert, Tirari Desert, and Pedirka Desert are other notable arid regions. These deserts are home to unique wildlife, including the water-holding frog, the Eyrean grasswren, and seasonal migrant birds like the musk duck and great egret.
In contrast to the arid interior, Australia also boasts snow-capped mountains. Mount Kosciusko, the country's highest peak at 7,310 feet (2,228 metres), is located in the Australian Alps. Towns and cities like Canberra, Hobart, and Jindabyne offer views of snow-capped mountains during winter. Mount Wellington in Hobart and the Brindabella Ranges near Canberra are particularly known for their winter snow cover.
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The landform regions are the Coastal Plains, Eastern Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Western Plateau
Australia is the flattest continent and, excluding Antarctica, the driest. Its landscape is characterised by vast plains, which often appear as a desert when viewed from above. The landform regions encompass the Coastal Plains, Eastern Highlands, Central Lowlands, and Western Plateau, each with distinct features.
The Coastal Plains fringe the continent, standing in contrast to the prevailing flatness and dryness of the interior. The east coast, in particular, boasts topographical diversity, ample water sources, and fertile land. This region has attracted human settlement since the early days of European colonisation and continues to be the most populated area in Australia. The Coastal Plains are also home to iconic landmarks like the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
Inland from the coast, the Eastern Highlands rise as the Great Dividing Range, stretching from Cape York in Queensland to Tasmania's southern shores. This mountain chain, with peaks rarely surpassing 5,000 feet (1,500 metres), forms an escarpment that gently slopes into the western plains. The Eastern Highlands include renowned sites such as the Blue Mountains and the rainforest reserves in central-eastern Australia.
The Central Lowlands form the heart of the continent, characterised by their low-lying nature and vast expanses. This region experiences varying climatic conditions, from arid deserts to fertile river basins, depending on proximity to the coast and the influence of ocean currents. The Central Lowlands are a testament to the effects of weathering and erosion over geological time, contributing to Australia's relatively low elevation.
The Western Plateau, including regions like Western Australia and the Northern Territory, showcases the rugged beauty of the Australian Outback. This region is known for its remote and sparsely populated areas, with vast distances between settlements. The Western Plateau is home to iconic landmarks such as Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a sacred site for Aboriginal peoples.
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The landscape is also characterised by high salt content in soils, surface water, and groundwater
Australia is a land of diverse landscapes, from snow-capped mountains to arid deserts, with unique geological features and rock formations. The Australian landscape is also characterised by high salt content in soils, surface water, and groundwater, known as salinity. This salinity has significant impacts on the environment, agriculture, and water quality.
Salinity in Australia is primarily caused by two factors: primary salinity and secondary salinity. Primary salinity refers to the large salt deposits that are a natural feature of the Australian landscape, stored deep in soils or found in salt lakes. These salt deposits have accumulated over thousands of years through rainfall, wind-transported materials, and seawater intrusion. The total salinity and composition of groundwater samples in Australia are often similar to seawater.
Secondary salinity, on the other hand, is caused by human activities such as land clearing, irrigation, and poor land management practices. Land clearing has resulted in the removal of deep-rooted native plants, which previously helped maintain groundwater levels by absorbing water before it reached the salt deposits. With these plants gone, water passes more easily through the soil, raising the water table and bringing salt to the surface through a process known as "seepage salinity." Irrigation water can also contain salts, further increasing salt levels in the soil and groundwater.
The high salt content in Australia's soils and water has significant environmental and agricultural impacts. Salt accumulation in soils can affect the ability of plants to absorb water, cause leaf burn and necrosis, and lead to poor growth or even death. Certain plant species, such as the Remote Thorny Lignum, are critically endangered due to their intolerance to high salinity levels. Additionally, salinity can affect water quality, impacting both drinking water supplies and aquatic ecosystems.
Managing salinity is a major land management concern in Australia. Various measures have been introduced, including salt interception schemes, rehabilitation of irrigation areas, and education programs for landholders and irrigators. These initiatives aim to reduce the impact of salinity on the environment, agriculture, and water quality, as well as preserve the unique and diverse landscapes of Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's landscape is unique and extremely diverse. It is the flattest continent and has vast plains, large deserts, grasslands, heathlands, woodlands, and tropical and temperate forests. It is also the second driest continent in the world, with ten deserts making up nearly 20% of the country. Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciusko, rises to 7,310 feet (2,228 metres).
The four major landform regions of Australia are the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau.
Australia's air quality is generally within national standards, although there are issues with particulate matter and ozone pollution in several capital cities. Bushfires in 2019-2020 also impacted air quality significantly.
