Major natural features of Australia 1 of 7

Major natural features of Australia 1 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus

Why are these major natural features so important in Australia? Can you locate them on a map of Australia? 2 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus

Uluru is a large sandstone rock formation located in the Northern Territory, west of the Simpson Desert. It originally sat at the bottom of an inland sea, but now stands 348 metres above the ground after rain and wind wore down the land around it over millions of years. The Anangu people who are the traditional Aboriginal landowners of this area see it as a very special, spiritual place. 3 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus

Purnululu (Bungles) The Bungle Range is an impressive landform, which is part of Purnululu National Park in Western Australia. For many millions of years, nature’s forces of wind and rain have shaped the rocky outcrops. The orange and black striped domes of sandstone rise out of the ground as high as 578 metres. 4 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus

Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, making it one of the natural wonders of the world. It is found in the Coral Sea, off the Queensland coast. It is made up of many, many different types of coral, reefs and islands stretching from Bundaberg up past the tip of Cape York. The Great Barrier Reef is home to many different types of tropical fish, birds, turtles and other species of marine life. 5 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus

Lake Eyre is found in the northern part of South Australia. It is the lowest point in Australia at 15 metres below sea level. It is surrounded by desert in the centre of Australia and for this reason, it rarely fills with water. Most of the time the lakebed has a salt layer over it. When it does fill up from flood waters from streams from different areas of the country, Lake Eyre can become the largest lake in Australia. 6 of 7 Geo_Y 03_U 1_SS_Maj. Natural. Feat. Aus