Great Dividing Range

The Great Dividing Range is the main mountain system along eastern Australia, running roughly 3,500 kilometres and forming a complex of plateaus, uplands and high peaks. It shapes climate, rivers and ecosystems along much of the eastern seaboard.

Visitors find a mix of sandstone escarpments, alpine meadows, deep forested gorges and developed national parks such as the Blue Mountains and the Snowy Mountains. Recreational activities include hiking, rock climbing, scenic drives and winter skiing in higher zones.

The range contains many distinct regions and protected areas, each with different access points from nearby cities and towns.

The Great Dividing Range is an ancient landform shaped over geological time and has influenced settlement, transportation routes and agricultural patterns in eastern Australia.

It runs parallel to the east coast from northeastern Queensland through New South Wales and into Victoria, lying close to major cities such as Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne at various points along its length.

• Length: The range extends for roughly 3,500 kilometres along Australia's eastern seaboard, from northeastern Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria.
• Highest point: Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres is the highest point on the Australian mainland and a common hiking destination in summer.

What to See #

• Mount Kosciuszko: Australia's highest mainland peak at 2,228 metres, located in the Snowy Mountains and a focal point for alpine activities.
• Blue Mountains: A dissected sandstone plateau west of Sydney characterised by deep gorges, dramatic cliffs and World Heritage-listed eucalypt forests.
• Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps: Highland ranges and ski fields in New South Wales and Victoria that host winter skiing and summer hiking across alpine meadows.