My Top 5 Geographic Features In Australia
1. Uluru
Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is one of the world's largest monolith's and Australia’s most famous rock. Made of arkosic sandstone, it's around 345 metres in height, covering an area of more than three square kilometers and nearly ten kilometers around the base. The rock we see today was created when a much larger mass of sandstone was thrust upward and tipped over by a geological upheaval about 300 -400 million years ago. This rock then eroded over time to the size it is today.
Uluru (or Ayers Rock) is one of the world's largest monolith's and Australia’s most famous rock. Made of arkosic sandstone, it's around 345 metres in height, covering an area of more than three square kilometers and nearly ten kilometers around the base. The rock we see today was created when a much larger mass of sandstone was thrust upward and tipped over by a geological upheaval about 300 -400 million years ago. This rock then eroded over time to the size it is today.
2. Great Victoria Desert
Deserts are an iconic feature of Australia, with the total desert area equating to 18 per cent of the total mainland area. The Great Victoria desert is the largest Australian desert, spanning Western and South Australia and covering an area of 424 400 kilometers squared. Much of the Great Victoria Desert is vegetated by open woodlands, typically eucalypts with a hummock grass understory, small sandhills and areas with a closely packed surface of pebbles and salt lakes.
Deserts are an iconic feature of Australia, with the total desert area equating to 18 per cent of the total mainland area. The Great Victoria desert is the largest Australian desert, spanning Western and South Australia and covering an area of 424 400 kilometers squared. Much of the Great Victoria Desert is vegetated by open woodlands, typically eucalypts with a hummock grass understory, small sandhills and areas with a closely packed surface of pebbles and salt lakes.
3. Great Barrier Reef
One of Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Stretching more than 2,300 kilometers of Queensland's coastline, the reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays. It has over 100 unique and exotic islands islands, from the Whitsundays and the Northern Islands, each with some of the worlds most beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches.
One of Australia's most remarkable natural gifts, the Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef and is one of the seven wonders of the natural world. Stretching more than 2,300 kilometers of Queensland's coastline, the reef contains an abundance of marine life and comprises of over 3000 individual reef systems and coral cays. It has over 100 unique and exotic islands islands, from the Whitsundays and the Northern Islands, each with some of the worlds most beautiful sun-soaked, golden beaches.
4. The Three Sisters
The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, The Three Sisters are essentially a three step-sided sandstone pillars. The pillars were formed by wind and water cutting and wearing away soft parts of the rock in the mountains over thousands of years, creating valleys and eventually the Three Sisters. Respectively, each of the Three Sisters stand at 922, 918 and 906 metres tall and over 3000 feet above sea level.
The Three Sisters is the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular landmark. Part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, The Three Sisters are essentially a three step-sided sandstone pillars. The pillars were formed by wind and water cutting and wearing away soft parts of the rock in the mountains over thousands of years, creating valleys and eventually the Three Sisters. Respectively, each of the Three Sisters stand at 922, 918 and 906 metres tall and over 3000 feet above sea level.
5. Lake Eyre
Covering an area 144 kilometers long and 77 kilometers wide, Lake Eyre is an extensive inland sea and is Australia’s largest salt lake. At about 15 meters below sea level, Lake Eyre occupies the lowest point in the Australian continent. The whole lake area only fills a few times in a hundred years but the smaller sub-lakes at its margins may retain water. A part fill of 4 metres may occur once every 10 years and 1.5 metres every three years but the lake has only filled to capacity three times in the last 150 years.
Covering an area 144 kilometers long and 77 kilometers wide, Lake Eyre is an extensive inland sea and is Australia’s largest salt lake. At about 15 meters below sea level, Lake Eyre occupies the lowest point in the Australian continent. The whole lake area only fills a few times in a hundred years but the smaller sub-lakes at its margins may retain water. A part fill of 4 metres may occur once every 10 years and 1.5 metres every three years but the lake has only filled to capacity three times in the last 150 years.
WhERE ARE THEY LOCATED?
Uluru: Located in the southwestern corner of Australia’s Northern Territory.
Great Victoria Desert: It spans both Western and South Australia
Great Barrier Reef: Located along the Queensland coast, from the mainland towns of Port Douglas to Bundaberg
The Three Sisters: Located at Echo Point Katoomba, in NSW
Lake Eyre: Lake Eyre is located in Northern South Australia.