It is much wetter than the dry scrublands of the central continent and even has small areas of temperate rainforest where rainfall allows. Though a little too dry for forest with only up to 60 inches (150 cm) of rainfall per year, this area is not considered arid land (dry). Much of northern Australia (Western Australia and Northern Territory) and down the eastern side of the continent (Queensland and New South Wales), just inland from the rainforest and temperate mixed forest, is moist grassland and scrubland. Scientists call this ecoregion Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed Forest. During the long droughts, which Australia sometimes experiences, these temperate forests act as areas of refuge for many native animals and plants. Two of the most common broadleaf trees in Australia are the eucalyptus and acacia (also called wattle). Depending upon the temperature and rainfall, the forests can be a mix of deciduous trees and evergreens (like eucalyptus). Scientists call this ecoregion Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forest.įrom the southeast Queensland coast wrapped south around the continent to the southern coast of New South Wales and Victoria, Australia has temperate forests. These forests are home to many of Australia's native animals. This is the area of Australia with the most rainfall – 78 inches per year (200 cm). Northeastern Australia has a small region of rainforest scattered along the coast of Queensland. Australia has more lizards than any other place on Earth – 775 species and some of the most venomous snakes.īecause of Australia's large size, it is not surprising that it has a great diversity (wide range) of habitats (or biomes). Some endemic birds are the emu, kookaburra and lovely fairywren. Another mammal associated with Australia are the dingos – a type of wild dog. They also include the marsupials, including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. ![]() Some of Australia endemic animals include the monotremes – like the platypus. More than ¾ of its mammals and plants and almost half its birds are found only in Australia. The southern part of the Kimberly opens up into open savanna where many cattle ranches are located.īecause Australia is essentially a huge island, it has a large percentage of animals and plants that are found only on Australia (endemic or indigenous). It is known for its steep, dramatic sandstone and limestone gorges and ridges that have been scoured clean by the monsoons. In northern Western Australia Territory is the Kimberly (one of the earliest settled parts of Australia). Despite its mountains, Australia is still considered the flattest continent. Australia’s tallest peak is Mount McClintok at 11,457 ft (3,492 meters) in its Antarctic Territory. The tallest peak in the range is Mount Kosciuszko at 7,310 ft (2,228 meters). The Eastern Highlands (also called the Great Diving Range) is a 2,175-mile (3,500 km) mountain range that stretches from northeastern Queensland south through New South Wales and Victoria. Another striking rock formation is Ayer’s Rock (also called Uluru by the Aboriginal people), a large sandstone formation found in southern region of the Northern Territory – about 200 miles (335 km) southwest of Alice Springs. It is called Burringurrah by the local Wadjari Aboriginal people. Its famous monolith – Mount Augustus is found in Western Australia Territory, north of Perth. Southeast across the Tasman Sea lies New Zealand.Īustralia has many interesting land features as well. North, across the Timor and Arafura Seas lies Asia. Australia is surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans. ![]() The Great Barrier Reef is 1,240 miles long (2,000 km). It has 21,262 miles (34,218 km) of coastline and the largest coral reef on Earth - the Great Barrier Reef - off the coast of Queensland. Though a huge country, Australia is actually the smallest continent. ![]() It includes Tasmania and other smaller islands including: Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Ashmore, Torres Strait, Coral Sea, Lord Howe, Norfolk, Macquarie, and Heard/McDonald and the Australian Antarctic Territory. ![]() Australia is a large country (6th largest in the world) covering almost 3 million square miles (7,617,930 sq km).
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