Top 10Australian Landforms

Australian States and Territories

Western Australia (State)Capital City: Perth South Australia (State)

Capital City: Adelaide

Queensland (State)Capital City: Brisbane

New South Wales (State)Capital City: Sydney

Tasmania (State)Capital City: Hobart

Victoria (State)Capital City: Melbourne

Australian Capital TerritoryCapital City of Australia: Canberra

Northern TerritoryCapital City: Darwin

What is a ‘Landform’?A LANDFORM is a natural geographical feature or shape (morphology: the shape of) that appears on the Earth’s surface. A LANDFORM’s shape and ‘the character of the land’s surface’ is the result from the interaction of physical processes.

• The action of water (fluvial action);• The action of wind;• The actions of glaciers and weathering;• The movements within the earth’s crust.

What is a ‘Landmark’?Originally a LANDMARK was ‘an object set up to mark the boundaries of a kingdom, estate, property. From the Old English: LANDMEARC meaning ‘boundary’.

Today LANDMARK can refer to:• A recognizable feature

e.g. Uluru (Ayers Rock) central Australia.• A notable location e.g. Sydney Opera House• A major event e.g. The right to vote for Aboriginal

people legislated by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1962 and by all states by 1965.

What is a ‘Landscape’?A LANDSCAPE is part of the Earth’s surface.A LANDSCAPE is the visible features (landforms) of an area including:

• Natural elements of landforms such as mountains, valleys, coastlines and water bodies such as rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.

• Living elements of land cover including vegetation and wildlife.• Human imprint: including different forms of land use, buildings and structures.• Changeable elements such as weather conditions.

Landscapes develop because of the GEOMORPHIC PROCESSES that have taken place over time. Two of the most important agents of these processes are:

• EROSION e.g. the power of glaciers in alpine areas, running water in rivers and waves on the coastline.

• DEPOSITION e.g. on coastlines caused via longshore drift.

LANDSCAPE TYPES:• Arid Landscapes: Geomorphic agents: WIND and WATER.• Coastal Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: WATER.• Glacial Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: WATER in its solid state

of ICE.• Humid Landscapes:Geomorphic agent: WATER.• Volcanic Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: MOLTEN ROCK.

*A LANDSCAPE contains LANDFORMS; famous LANDFORMS can be considered: LANDMARKS.*(Geomorphology: the study of the physical features of the surface of the earth and their relation to its geological structures)

In Nitmiluk [Northern Territory] National Park which borders Kakadu, the Katherine River meanders (follows a winding course) through the town of Katherine to join the Daly River. In one of the most beautiful places in Australia, thirteen (13) majestic gorges combine to make Katherine Gorge a must see when visiting the Top End of Australia.

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Although it is called The Twelve Apostles, there are only eight (8) limestone columns left of this great Australian landmark (found in Victoria, Great Ocean Road). The soft limestone has been and continues to be eroded away by waves and wind, the last column to fall was in 2005. The pillars are up to 50 metres tall, making for a spectacular view.

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One of the best places to experience the Australian Outback without relinquishing any of the modern comforts, Flinders Ranges ancient landscape offers perspective on the vastness of time. The ranges are the largest mountain chain in South Australia and are dotted with National Parks from end to end.

8.

The Horizontal Falls are described by David Attenborough as "one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”. Not TRUE waterfalls, they are created by immense tidal currents speeding through tight coastal gorges. There are only two on the planet, both here at Talbot Bay in the Buccaneer Archipelago [Western Australia].

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In the Blue Mountains of New South Wales sit many Australian Landmarks. The most famous of which is commonly known as The Three Sisters, this stunning rock formation is over 900 metres tall or 3000 feet. As water regularly runs down the rock formations, it is probable that some day the sandstone natural pillars will no longer be there.

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Set in far North Queensland the Daintree Rainforest is Australia's largest continuous TROPICAL RAINFOREST. An ancient primordial (exist from the beginning of time) forest, covering an area of around 2600 square kilometres which is approximately 762 times bigger than New York's Central Park. You wouldn’t want to get lost here.

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With stunning scenery and amazing views, the four summits of Cradle Mountain rise above Dove Lake in St Clair National Park in Tasmania and is one of the most beautiful Australian landmarks to behold.

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The striking Bungle Bungle Range (Western Australia) was only ‘discovered’ in 1983. Purnululu National Park was established in 1987; declared a World Heritage Site in 2003. The unique range is composed of grey and orange banded 'beehive' shaped sandstone domes and is the most amazing and spectacular GEOLOGICAL LANDMARK in Australia.

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Seen on TV and in movies, the Heart Shaped Reef, in Hardy Reef, has become a famous Queensland landmark and Australian icon. Hardy Reef boasts some of the best underwater viewing of the Great Barrier Reef in general, so snorkelling and scuba-diving is a must.

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Located in the heart of the Northern Territory, Uluru formerly known as Ayers Rock, is the largest monolith (geological feature consisting of a single massive stone or rock) in the world. Noted for its natural and cultural value, it is certainly one of the most well known Australian Landmarks and the greatest of all Australian landforms, Down Under.

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Assembled by: A. Ballas

• Australian Landmarks• GEOGSPACE: Landscapes and Landforms

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