Top 5 geographical Features
1. At an elevation of 2,228 meters, Mount Kosciuszko (located in the Great Diving Range, NSW, Australia), is the highest peak on the Australian mainland. In 1997, Kosciuszko National Park was given international significance by being declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Approximately 3 million people visit Kosciuszko National Park each year and a small fraction (roughly 30,000) make the trek to the top of the mountain. The alpine climate is characterised by its cool, crisp air; the temperatures average from minus 6 degrees Celsius in July and 21 degrees Celsius in January. The mountains weather can be highly unpredictable therefore walkers must come prepared.
The Great Dividing Range is one of Australia's most important geographical features; aside from dividing the east coast to the inland, the Great Dividing Range establishes the long, rich history of our planet. The range is also a home to some amazing species of animals and plants that are survivors of Gondwana.
2. Australia is ancient and it has some of the oldest geological features in the world. Uluru is easily the most iconic natural landform in Australia (located in the Northern Territory), formerly named Ayers Rock, our most famous rock covers an area of more than 10 kilometres around its base, and rises to a height of 345 meters. The iconic image of Uluru that is so familiar in travel brochures and magazines belies the surprising shape of the rock when viewed from space.
The process of the rocks formation began over 500 million years ago. Just about 500 million years ago, the whole area became covered in water, sand and mud fell to the bottom of the sea and covered the seabed including the fans. The weight of this turned both it and the fans beneath into rock. The rocky fan became conglomerate rock, the sand fan turned into sandstone. Approximately 100 million years later, the sea had disappeared, over the last 300 million years the softer rocks have eroded away leaving the old parts of the fan exposed.
3. As the world’s largest reef structure on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,600 kilometres. Located in the Coral Sea, on Australia’s north-eastern coast, this incredible natural icon is so large it can be seen from outer space; the reed is greater in size than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined. The entire reef is composed of almost 3000 individual reefs. While it’s mostly known for its unbelievable “maze” of colourful reefs, within this vast area, a unique range of plants and species live. Some of these, such as turtles and crocodiles, have been around since prehistoric times and have changed little over the millennia.
The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. The Reef is a popular tourist destination with over two million visitors each year. Climate change is perhaps the biggest threat, warmer ocean temperatures put stress on coral and lead to coral bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced two mass coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2002. Bleaching was more severe in 2002, when aerial surveys showed that over 50% of reefs experienced some coral bleaching.
4. Around two hours from Sydney you’ll find one of New South Wales’ most iconic landmarks, the Three Sisters. Located in the Blue Mountains, the three sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters (who, according to Aboriginal legend, turned to stone). Each “sister” stands at 922, 918 and 906 metres tall (3000 feet above sea level).
The Three Sisters are made of sandstone, due to the fact sandstone is relatively soft, it has been stated that rock forms will eventually disintegrate due to the wet surroundings. Echo Point offers stunning views of the southern Blue Mountains and the iconic rock forms.
5. Lord Howe Island, located 660km off the east coast of Australia, is known for its breath taking tropical ambience and the islands beauty. The island is roughly a crescent-shape about 11 kilometres long by 2 kilometres at its widest point. The island is, in fact, an eroded remainder of a seven million year old volcano. Mount Gower, standing at 875 metres above sea level is the islands tallest mountain.
The waters around Lord Howe Island are home to 90 coral species and an astounding 500 species of fish. World Heritage listed in 1982 for its unique beauty and diversity, geology and rare collection of birds, plants and marine life; the island is also surrounded by the world's southernmost coral reef.
The Great Dividing Range is one of Australia's most important geographical features; aside from dividing the east coast to the inland, the Great Dividing Range establishes the long, rich history of our planet. The range is also a home to some amazing species of animals and plants that are survivors of Gondwana.
2. Australia is ancient and it has some of the oldest geological features in the world. Uluru is easily the most iconic natural landform in Australia (located in the Northern Territory), formerly named Ayers Rock, our most famous rock covers an area of more than 10 kilometres around its base, and rises to a height of 345 meters. The iconic image of Uluru that is so familiar in travel brochures and magazines belies the surprising shape of the rock when viewed from space.
The process of the rocks formation began over 500 million years ago. Just about 500 million years ago, the whole area became covered in water, sand and mud fell to the bottom of the sea and covered the seabed including the fans. The weight of this turned both it and the fans beneath into rock. The rocky fan became conglomerate rock, the sand fan turned into sandstone. Approximately 100 million years later, the sea had disappeared, over the last 300 million years the softer rocks have eroded away leaving the old parts of the fan exposed.
3. As the world’s largest reef structure on the planet, the Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,600 kilometres. Located in the Coral Sea, on Australia’s north-eastern coast, this incredible natural icon is so large it can be seen from outer space; the reed is greater in size than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined. The entire reef is composed of almost 3000 individual reefs. While it’s mostly known for its unbelievable “maze” of colourful reefs, within this vast area, a unique range of plants and species live. Some of these, such as turtles and crocodiles, have been around since prehistoric times and have changed little over the millennia.
The Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981. The Reef is a popular tourist destination with over two million visitors each year. Climate change is perhaps the biggest threat, warmer ocean temperatures put stress on coral and lead to coral bleaching. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced two mass coral bleaching events in 1998 and 2002. Bleaching was more severe in 2002, when aerial surveys showed that over 50% of reefs experienced some coral bleaching.
4. Around two hours from Sydney you’ll find one of New South Wales’ most iconic landmarks, the Three Sisters. Located in the Blue Mountains, the three sisters is essentially an unusual rock formation representing three sisters (who, according to Aboriginal legend, turned to stone). Each “sister” stands at 922, 918 and 906 metres tall (3000 feet above sea level).
The Three Sisters are made of sandstone, due to the fact sandstone is relatively soft, it has been stated that rock forms will eventually disintegrate due to the wet surroundings. Echo Point offers stunning views of the southern Blue Mountains and the iconic rock forms.
5. Lord Howe Island, located 660km off the east coast of Australia, is known for its breath taking tropical ambience and the islands beauty. The island is roughly a crescent-shape about 11 kilometres long by 2 kilometres at its widest point. The island is, in fact, an eroded remainder of a seven million year old volcano. Mount Gower, standing at 875 metres above sea level is the islands tallest mountain.
The waters around Lord Howe Island are home to 90 coral species and an astounding 500 species of fish. World Heritage listed in 1982 for its unique beauty and diversity, geology and rare collection of birds, plants and marine life; the island is also surrounded by the world's southernmost coral reef.