Famously Australia is flat – or mostly flat. The greatest mountain around the continent is only 2,228 meters or 7,130 feet in height. But i am not saying Australia is without stunning mountain ranges. While Australia may not have a solution for that rugged Rockies (visit Nz to determine that), it does have an answer for that ancient Appalachian mountains.
Australia is really a massive country and one that everyone should visit – it's a country that one can only scratch the surface. If your are going to Australia the very first time, then one is likely to have a number of questions. Only one needn't worry it is a super easy country to visit (just a little much will all).
Age And Size The Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range is extremely old – being formed back throughout the Carboniferous period some 300 million or more million years back. That is early – it long predates the dinosaurs. It's not as old as the Appalachians (they're around 480 million years old) but is a lot older than the relatively young Rockies (80 to 55 million years of age).
- Formed: Over 300 Million Years Ago During The Carboniferous Period
During that time, it's thought that Australia collided with what is today areas of South America and Nz. The resulting uplift produced mountains up to any mountains around today. However in the 280 or so million years since, they have been almost completely eroded right down to what one sees today.
Today the Great Dividing Range remains an enormous collection of mountain ranges accumulating Australia's new england. It's the fifth-longest mountain chain in the world on land and the longest located in one country stretching for 3,500 kilometers or 2,175 miles.
The Great Dividing Range is composed of a massive expanse of mountain ranges, plateaus, hilly upland areas, escarpments, and rolling hills.
- Mount Kosciuszko: Highest Mountain – 2,228 meters (7,310 feet)
- Length: 3,500 kilometers (2,175 miles)
- Width: Between 160 to 300 kilometers or 100 to 190 miles Wide
The Diversity of The Great Dividing Range
The Great Dividing Range is extremely diverse as well. In Queensland, one can find the Daintree Rainforests Body from the oldest rainforests on the planet. As well as in the south one can find the Snowy Mountains home of Australia's tallest mini-mountains like Mount Kosciuszko.
Notable attractions in the Great Dividing Range:
- Great Blue Mountains Area
- Gondwana Rainforests
- Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area (Includes Daintree NP)
- Snowy Mountains
The climate and vegetation can change significantly and rain shadows form rainforests in one place but arid areas in other people. It differs from tropical rainforests within the north towards the snowy mountains in the south. The ranges boast a number of Australia's most stunning scenery and far of its most well-known wildlife.
What the truly amazing Dividing Range lacks in height is made up for in ruggedness. The Blue Mountains in the range posed a significant obstacle for early colonists seeking to expand westwards from Sydney. The very first fleet found its way to 1788 however it wasn't until 1813 that a route over the Blue Mountains was discovered.
The Daintree National Park
Daintree National Park is among the world's most ancient rainforests and accordingly it's a land of remarkable biodiversity. Daintree is a great chance to see probably the most unique and fascinating wildlife throughout Australia – as well as old and majestic trees.
- Ancient: Daintree Is considered To Be Among the Three Oldest Rainforests In The World
- Age: On the Hundred Million Years Old
- Leeches: There Are Leeches In Australian Forests
A testament to how valuable this rainforest is: it's the world's the place to find the largest selection of animal and plant species which are threatened or rare.
- Australian Animals: Home To 30% Of Australia's Marsupial, Reptile, and Frog Species
- Birds: The place to find Around 430 Types of Birds
- Bats: Home To 65% of Australia's Bat Species
The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains are located near Sydney as well as borders Sydney's metropolitan area. Unlike Daintree, the predominant natural vegetation is eucalyptus (called gum tree) forest. Unfortunately, massive bushfires are posing a serious threat towards the region's biodiversity.
In 2000 the Greater Blue Mountains Area was listed like a UNESCO World Heritage Area. UNESCO states:
Some of the main attractions within the Blue Mountains are:
- Three Sisters: One Of Australia's Most Instagrammed Landmarks
- Jenolan Caves: Limestone Caves
- Katoomba Scenic Railway: Designed for Mining within the 1800s, This Steep Railway is really a Significant Tourist Attraction
