Lyla Lindsey
Australia is known for its distinctive and unique landscape, which has been formed through movements in the Earth's crust, river erosion, and changes in climate and sea level. The country is relatively low-lying and dry, with fewer mountains and bodies of water than other parts of the world. However, it boasts a diverse range of landforms, including mountains, reefs, canyons, gorges, deserts, valleys, and rivers. Australia's most famous landform is arguably Uluru (Ayers Rock), a striking monolith in the heart of the Northern Territory. Other notable landforms include the Bungle Bungle Range in Western Australia, the Great Barrier Reef, the Twelve Apostles, and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular landform | Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock |
| Uluru's location | Central Australia |
| Uluru's history | Laid down in an inland sea about 500 million years ago |
| Uluru's distinction | Largest monolith in the world |
| Other popular landforms | Bungle Bungle Range, Twelve Apostles, Cradle Mountain, Daintree Rainforest, The Three Sisters, Flinders Ranges, Heart Shaped Reef |
| Landform regions | Coastal Plains, Eastern Highlands, Central Lowlands, Western Plateau |
| Largest lake | Lake Eyre |
| Longest river | Murray River |
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What You'll Learn
Uluru, formerly known as Ayer's Rock
Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is a giant monolith located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in southwestern Northern Territory, central Australia. It is the largest monolith in the world, rising 1,142 feet above the surrounding desert. Uluru has long been revered by the local Anangu, the Pitjantjatjara people, and other Australian Aboriginal peoples of the region, who call the landmark Uluru.
The rock was first sighted in 1872 by explorer Ernest Giles and was visited the following year by surveyor William Gosse, who named it Ayers Rock in honour of Sir Henry Ayers, the then Chief Secretary of South Australia. In 1993, a dual naming policy was adopted, and the rock was officially named "Ayers Rock / Uluru". The order of the names was officially reversed to "Uluru / Ayers Rock" in 2002 at the request of the Regional Tourism Association in Alice Springs.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is known for its outstanding natural and cultural values and is dual-listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including about 400 species of plants and numerous mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Some of the wildlife species found in the park include red kangaroos, rodents, small marsupials, lizards, snakes, and birds such as falcons, buzzards, and budgerigars.
The development of tourism infrastructure near Uluru began in the 1950s, and the first tourists arrived in the area in 1936. However, it was decided in the early 1970s to remove accommodation-related tourist facilities from the base of Uluru due to adverse environmental impacts. Today, Uluru is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning scenery and amazing views. It is considered one of the most well-known Aussie landmarks and one of the greatest Australian landforms.
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The Great Barrier Reef
Despite its popularity and significance, the Great Barrier Reef faces several environmental challenges. These include human activities such as fishing, tourism, and the runoff of pollutants, as well as natural threats like climate change and coral bleaching. Between 1995 and 2017, the reef lost over half of its coral cover, and a mass bleaching event in 2022 further raised concerns about its future. Conservation efforts, such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, aim to protect the reef and mitigate the impacts of human activities.
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The Bungle Bungle Range
Australia is a country with a diverse landscape and unique terrain. It is known for its relatively flat, low-lying, and dry landforms, including large deserts, semi-deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. One of Australia's most popular and unique landforms is the Bungle Bungle Range, located in the southern end of Purnululu National Park in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The Bungle Bungles were only "discovered" in 1982 when filmmakers arrived to produce a documentary about the Kimberley region. However, the area has been inhabited by Aboriginal people, specifically the Kija/Gija people, for over 20,000 years, and it continues to hold cultural and spiritual significance for them. The national park is jointly managed by the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation and the traditional Aboriginal owners.
Purnululu National Park, where the Bungle Bungle Range is located, is a popular destination for tourists seeking to explore Australia's unique landscapes. The park offers a range of walking trails, camping opportunities, and guided tours. Visitors can explore the long, narrow chasms, hidden gorges, and ancient creek beds on foot or opt for a helicopter or light plane tour for a different perspective of the range. The park is typically open from April to November, with guided tours available during the Wet season from December to March.
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The Great Dividing Range
Australia is a country and continent with a relatively flat, low-lying, and dry landscape. It can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Great Dividing Range, also known as the Eastern Highlands, is a cordillera system in eastern Australia. It is a significant topographic feature, forming the watershed for the river systems in eastern Australia.
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The Eastern Highlands
Australia's landscape is incredibly diverse, with a large range of different geographical landforms and physical features. The country can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. The Eastern Highlands, also known as the Great Dividing Range or the East Australian Cordillera, is a cordillera system in eastern Australia. It is a collection of mountain ranges, plateaus, and rolling hills that stretch over 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) from Dauan Island in the Torres Strait to the Wimmera plains west of the Grampians region. The Great Dividing Range forms the Continental Divide and serves as the watershed for the river systems in eastern Australia.
The Great Dividing Range is the source of virtually all of eastern Australia's water supply, through runoff caught in dams and the Great Artesian Basin. The Snowy River flows down the eastern slope, while the Darling, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, and Goulburn rivers drain the western slope to join the Murray River. The rivers supply large irrigation and hydroelectric projects, and the range is also important for agriculture, lumbering, and mining. The Eastern Highlands are rich in minerals and contain most of Australia's coalfields, as well as gold, copper, tin, oil, and natural gas deposits.
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Frequently asked questions
Uluru, formerly known as Ayers Rock, is widely considered Australia's most famous landform. It is the largest monolith in the world and is located in the heart of the Northern Territory.
Australia can be divided into four major landform regions: the Coastal Plains, the Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau.
Australia has several notable landforms, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Bungle Bungle Range, the Daintree Rainforest, the Three Sisters rock formation, the Twelve Apostles, and the Flinders Ranges.
Australia is relatively low-lying and dry compared to other continents, with fewer mountains and bodies of water. However, it boasts diverse landscapes, including deserts, valleys, canyons, and rivers. The Great Dividing Range is Australia's loftiest and most extensive mountain range, and the Murray River is Australia's longest river.
