Australian Alps

The Australian Alps is a general term for the highest mountain ranges in south-eastern Australia.

The term Great Dividing Range is used to describe the series of mountains and plateaus which run about 3000 kilometers from northern Queensland to central Victoria. These highlands divide the rivers and streams which flow eastwards into the Pacific Ocean, from those rivers and streams which flow inland to the Murray River system or internal catchments.

The highlands reach their greatest height in the region of far southern New South Wales and eastern Victoria. It is only in this region that peaks exceeding 2000 meters occur and it is only in this region that snow occurs regularly. The Snowy Mountains in southern New South Wales are a part of the Australian Alps.

These highlands are important for conservation, recreation and as a water catchment. They contain large National Parks and Australia's only ski resorts.

Significant areas in the Australian Alps include

• Mount Kosciuszko
• Mount Bogong

• Kosciuszko National Park
• Alpine National Park in Victoria

• Perisher Blue in New South Wales
• Thredbo
• Charlotte Pass

• Mount Buller in Victoria
• Falls Creek
• Mount Hotham