AUSTRALIA'S MAJOR LANDFORMS

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP OF AUSTRALIA

PLAINS

• Narrow plain around the edge of Australia
• Most of the population lives here
• Also in Central Lowlands
• This was once the site of the inland sea

HILLS AND PLATEAUS

• Australia a relatively low and flat continent
• Hills and plateaus are the majority of our land mass
• This is elevated land without major peaks
• Distributed across the whole continent

HIGHLANDS

• Only 2% of Australia's land mass lies above 1000m
• None of our mountains are significant by world standards
• Mt Koskiuszko is 2228m above sea level

AUSTRALIA'S LANDFORM REGIONS

LANDFORM REGIONS

COASTAL PLAINS

• Area of land with low relief (flat)
• Narrow strip along the east coast
• Queensland to Victoria
• Flat, low, relatively high rainfall
• Largest cities located on it

EASTERN HIGHLANDS

• The Great Dividing Range - Cape York to Tasmania
• Hills, valleys and mountains west of the coastal plains
• Highest elevations in Australia - affect rainfall and weather
• Divide rivers into east- and west-flowing regions
• Fold and fault mountains, and water-carved gorges

CENTRAL LOWLANDS

• Very low elevation
• 25% of the continent
• Low, flat plains made of sedimentary rock
• Sediments deposited by ancient inland sea
• Less than 125mm of rain per year - deserts and salt pans

WESTERN PLATEAU

• Flat, elevated area like a table
• 1/3 of the continent - WA, SA and NT
• Some mountains - eg. Flinders Ranges
• Large free standing rocks eg. Kata Tjuta, Uluru
• 70% desert - Great Victoria, Gibson, Great Sandy