Great Dividing Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Dividing Range |
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The Great Dividing Range consists of a complex of mountain ranges, plateaus, upland areas and escarpments.
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Mount Kosciuszko (Snowy Mountains) |
| Elevation | 2,228 m (7,310 ft) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3,500 km (2,200 mi) North–South |
| Geography | |
| Country | Australia |
| Range coordinates | 25°S 147°E / 25°S 147°E |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Carboniferous |
The Great Dividing Range, also called the Eastern Highlands, is the most famous mountain system in Australia. It is a huge collection of mountain ranges, high plateaus, and rolling hills. This giant landform stretches down the entire eastern side of the continent.
The range is the fifth-longest land-based mountain chain on the planet. It is also the longest mountain chain found completely within a single country. It runs for more than 3,500 kilometres (2,175 mi) from the northern tip of Queensland down to Victoria.
The name comes from its role as a giant watershed (a high ridge dividing water flow). It separates the rivers flowing east to the ocean from those flowing west into the dry interior.
Contents
Geography of the Great Dividing Range
How Long and Wide is the Great Dividing Range?
The Great Dividing Range begins in the far north at Dauan Island in the Torres Strait. It travels across the Cape York Peninsula and runs down the entire east coast.
It passes through Queensland and New South Wales, and crosses the Australian Capital Territory. The range then bends west into Victoria. It finally fades into low hills near the Wimmera plains west of the Grampians.
In width, the range varies between 160 kilometres (99 mi) and over 300 kilometres (186 mi). In some places, the entire mountain zone spans up to 400 kilometres (249 mi) wide across the countryside.
What Landscape Features Make Up the Mountain System?
The Great Dividing Range is not just a single, straight line of tall peaks. Geographers call it a cordillera, which means a connected system of many different mountain chains.
The range contains high tablelands, deep gorges, rolling hills, and steep cliffs called escarpments. Most highland areas stand between 300 metres (984 ft) and 1,600 metres (5,249 ft) above sea level.
Because the mountains are ancient, wind and rain have rounded many peaks over millions of years. This means hikers can reach many of the summits without needing specialized climbing gear.
The highest peak on mainland Australia is Mount Kosciuszko, reaching 2,228 metres (7,310 ft) above sea level. It sits within the Snowy Mountains in southern New South Wales.
How Does the Continental Drainage Divide Work?
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The crest of the range acts as Australia's most important natural drainage divide. Rain falling on opposite sides of the ridge travels in completely different directions.
Rivers on the eastern side flow directly toward the coast. They empty into the South Pacific Ocean, the Tasman Sea, or Bass Strait. These coastal rivers are often fast-flowing and short.
Rivers on the western side flow inland. Many join the massive Murray–Darling basin, traveling thousands of kilometers toward South Australia. Other northern streams flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria or drain into Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre.
Climate and Weather Patterns
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How the Mountains Shape Australia's Climate
The high elevation of the Great Dividing Range directly controls weather patterns in eastern Australia. When warm, moist air blows in from the ocean, it hits the mountain slopes.
The air rises, cools down, and forms thick clouds. This creates heavy rainfall on the eastern coastal slopes, known as orographic precipitation.
These steady rains support lush forests and dramatic river valleys. They also feed major waterfalls along the eastern edge of the highlands.
Rain Shadows and Dry Inland Winds
After clouds dump their rain on the coastal slopes, the air moves over the crest. As it descends down the inland side, it warms up and dries out.
This process creates a rain shadow, leaving areas on the inland slopes much drier. It can also cause a warm, dry wind known as a foehn wind.
During hot summer months, these dry winds lower humidity and increase the danger of bushfires. In contrast, winter winds from the south bring snow and freezing sleet to alpine areas.
Weather Differences Across the Peaks
Towns located on the high peaks experience cool, mild summers and cold, crisp winters. Several alpine areas receive regular winter snowfall, supporting popular winter sports centers.
Ski resorts like Perisher, Thredbo, and Mount Hotham depend on winter storms passing over the highlands. Meanwhile, valleys shielded by the peaks enjoy warmer, sunny days with far less cloud cover.
Ancient Geology and Formation
How Did the Mountain Range Form?
The Great Dividing Range is one of the oldest mountain systems in the world. It began forming during the Carboniferous period, more than 300 million years ago.
At that time, Australia was part of the ancient supercontinent called Gondwana. Giant tectonic collisions crumpled the Earth's crust, pushing massive rock layers upward into high mountains.
Volcanic activity also added thick layers of basalt lava across parts of the highlands. Over time, heat and pressure transformed ancient sediments into hard rocks.
Rock Types and Erosion Over Millions of Years
The rocks found throughout the range include sandstone, limestone, granite, quartzite, and schist.
Over hundreds of millions of years, weathering from water, ice, and wind wore down the peaks. Mighty rivers carved out vast gorges, rugged canyons, and wide valleys.
This continuous erosion created spectacular sandstone cliffs, such as those seen today in the Blue Mountains.
History and Human Settlement
Indigenous Australian Custodianship
For tens of thousands of years, many Aboriginal Australian nations lived across the Great Dividing Range. They understood the plants, animals, rivers, and mountain passes intimately.
Aboriginal peoples created established pathways across the rugged high country to trade and meet with neighboring groups. They created rock art inside caves, gathered seasonal foods, and maintained campsites near mountain springs.
Many Indigenous descendants maintain strong cultural connections to these ancestral lands today. They work closely with park authorities to care for the environment and preserve sacred sites.
Early European Exploration
When British colonists arrived in Sydney in 1788, the mountain range formed a massive natural barrier. Settlers found it nearly impossible to cross the sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains.
Early explorers tried following creek beds in deep valleys, only to hit dead-end rock walls. In 1813, Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Charles Wentworth changed tactics.
By following an Aboriginal trail along the high ridge tops, they successfully crossed the mountains. This route opened up fertile inland plains for farming and new settlements.
Soon after, surveyors like Allan Cunningham, John Oxley, and Thomas Mitchell mapped major passes through the range.
Building Mountain Roads and Railways
Constructing transport routes across the steep highlands required extraordinary engineering. Workers had to blast tunnels through solid rock and construct tall bridges over river gorges.
Early rail lines conquered steep climbs, including the famous line from Sydney to Lithgow in 1869. Engineers used zig-zag track designs and switchbacks to help steam trains climb the slopes safely.
Today, major highways cross the highlands, such as the Great Western Highway and the Great Alpine Road. These roads connect coastal cities to inland farming centers.
Key Regions and Major Peaks
The Snowy Mountains and Australian Alps
The southern section of the Great Dividing Range contains the highest mountains in Australia. This region is known as the Australian Alps, crossing the border between New South Wales and Victoria.
The famous Snowy Mountains feature alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and snow-covered slopes. Mount Kosciuszko and Mount Townsend dominate the skyline.
In Victoria, the alpine high country includes peaks like Mount Bogong, Mount Feathertop, and Mount Hotham. These mountains host unique alpine ecosystems found nowhere else in Australia.
The Blue Mountains and Central Tablelands
Located west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains form one of the most famous parts of the range. The area is named for the blue haze produced by eucalyptus oil vapor in the air.
This region features deep canyons, sheer sandstone cliffs, and thick eucalypt forests. Famous formations like the Three Sisters attract visitors from around the world.
Adjacent areas like the Southern Highlands and Northern Tablelands feature cool-climate farmlands, historic towns, and fertile orchards.
Tropical Ranges of Queensland
In northern Queensland, the range passes through lush tropical environments. High plateau areas like the Atherton Tableland provide rich volcanic soil for dairy and fruit farming.
The mountains in this region contain the Wet Tropics of Queensland, home to ancient rainforests. Spectacular peaks like Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest point, rise steeply near the coast.
Water Catchments and River Systems
Vital Water for Cities and Farms
The Great Dividing Range serves as the primary water source for eastern Australia. High mountain catchments capture massive amounts of rainwater each year.
Giant reservoirs store water for major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra. Dams like Warragamba Dam provide clean drinking water for millions of residents.
Water from the western slopes supports Australia's most productive farming regions. Farmers use this water to irrigate crops of wheat, cotton, fruit, and vegetables.
The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme
One of the world's most famous engineering achievements is the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Built between 1949 and 1974, it captures water from melting alpine snow.
The project uses massive tunnels bored through mountains to divert river water westward through hydroelectric power stations. The system generates clean electricity while sending water to inland farms along the Murray and Murrumbidgee rivers.
Major Rivers Flowing from the Range
Dozens of important rivers begin as small trickles high up in the Great Dividing Range:
- East-flowing rivers: The Brisbane River, Clarence River, Hawkesbury River, Hunter River, Macleay River, and Shoalhaven River flow to the Pacific Ocean.
- Inland-flowing rivers: The Condamine River, Darling River, Lachlan River, and Murrumbidgee River flow inland toward the Murray–Darling Basin.
- South-flowing rivers: The Snowy River, Mitchell River, and Yarra River travel south across Victoria into Bass Strait.
Nature and Conservation
World Heritage Rainforests and Plants
The Great Dividing Range protects incredible plant diversity, ranging from tropical palms to alpine wildflowers.
Several areas hold UNESCO World Heritage status due to their ecological importance:
- The Wet Tropics of Queensland preserves ancient plant species dating back millions of years.
- The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia protects the largest remaining stands of subtropical rainforest in the world.
- The Greater Blue Mountains Area contains vast expanses of diverse eucalyptus forests.
At high elevations, cold-hardy trees like snow gums survive freezing winds. Unique alpine peat bogs help filter mountain water naturally.
Native Wildlife of the Highlands
The dense forests and rocky gorges provide critical habitats for many of Australia's native animals:
- Mammals: Koalas, wombats, platypus, echidnas, and possums thrive across different elevations. The endangered mountain pygmy possum lives in the alpine boulder fields of the southern peaks.
- Birds: The range is home to superb lyrebirds, crimson rosellas, wedge-tailed eagles, and colorful parrots.
- Reptiles and Amphibians: Rare alpine tree frogs and specialized skinks have adapted to cold mountain conditions.
National Parks and Protected Areas
Governments have created dozens of national parks along the Great Dividing Range to safeguard its forests, rivers, and wildlife.
These protected areas allow people to enjoy bushwalking, camping, skiing, and birdwatching while keeping ecosystems safe from development.
Major protected parks include:
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Towns and Cities of the Range
Many major cities and towns are located directly within or along the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Canberra, Australia's national capital city, sits in a highland valley surrounded by mountain ranges.
Other key regional centers located in the highlands include Toowoomba in Queensland, Armidale, Bathurst, and Orange in New South Wales, and Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria.
Awards
In 2009, as part of Queensland's 150th birthday celebrations, the Great Dividing Range was officially listed as one of the state's significant cultural and geographic icons.
Images for kids
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The Great Dividing Range, as seen from near Mount Hotham, Victoria
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View from the peak of Mount Feathertop, facing north-east, showing the Fainters and other mountains
See also
In Spanish: Gran Cordillera Divisoria para niños
