Top 10Australian Landmarks

Australian States and Territories

Western Australia (State)Capital City: Perth South Australia (State)

Capital City: Adelaide

Queensland (State)Capital City: Brisbane

New South Wales (State)Capital City: Sydney

Tasmania (State)Capital City: Hobart

Victoria (State)Capital City: Melbourne

Australian Capital TerritoryCapital City of Australia: Canberra

Northern TerritoryCapital City: Darwin

What is a ‘Landform’?A LANDFORM is a natural geographical feature or shape (morphology: the shape of) that appears on the Earth’s surface. A LANDFORM’s shape and ‘the character of the land’s surface’ is the result from the interaction of physical processes.

• The action of water (fluvial action);• The action of wind;• The actions of glaciers and weathering;• The movements within the earth’s crust.

What is a ‘Landmark’?Originally a LANDMARK was ‘an object set up to mark the boundaries of a kingdom, estate, property. From the Old English: LANDMEARC meaning ‘boundary’.

Today LANDMARK can refer to:• A recognizable feature

e.g. Uluru (Ayers Rock) central Australia.• A notable location e.g. Sydney Opera House• A major event e.g. The right to vote for Aboriginal

people legislated by the Commonwealth of Australia in 1962 and by all states by 1965.

What is a ‘Landscape’?A LANDSCAPE is part of the Earth’s surface.A LANDSCAPE is the visible features (landforms) of an area including:

• Natural elements of landforms such as mountains, valleys, coastlines and water bodies such as rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.

• Living elements of land cover including vegetation and wildlife.• Human imprint: including different forms of land use, buildings and structures.• Changeable elements such as weather conditions.

Landscapes develop because of the GEOMORPHIC PROCESSES that have taken place over time. Two of the most important agents of these processes are:

• EROSION e.g. the power of glaciers in alpine areas, running water in rivers and waves on the coastline.

• DEPOSITION e.g. on coastlines caused via longshore drift.

LANDSCAPE TYPES:• Arid Landscapes: Geomorphic agents: WIND and WATER.• Coastal Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: WATER.• Glacial Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: WATER in its solid state

of ICE.• Humid Landscapes:Geomorphic agent: WATER.• Volcanic Landscapes: Geomorphic agent: MOLTEN ROCK.

*A LANDSCAPE contains LANDFORMS; famous LANDFORMS can be considered: LANDMARKS.*(Geomorphology: the study of the physical features of the surface of the earth and their relation to its geological structures)

Ballarat (Victoria) was transformed from a small sheep station into a bustling mining town with the discovery of gold in 1851. Discoveries of gold are still being made today, but this LANDMARK of Australia is most known to Australians for being the site of the rebellion at the Eureka Stockade, the only civil rebellion that ever took place in the country.

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Spectacular Shark Bay is one of Australia's most famous wildlife areas. Shark Bay World Heritage Area became Western Australia's first world heritage listed area in 1991. From several thousand year old Stromatolites (layered rock: a solid structure created by single-celled microbes called cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) to friendly Dolphins, Whales, Whale Sharks, Sea Turtles and much more; it’s a LANDMARK not to be missed.

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Situated within one of the world's most intriguing cities, epitomising the 'Australian' lifestyle, Bondi Beach (New South Wales) is one of the most well known beaches in the world. The kilometre long stretch of golden beach, nestled in a sparkling bay, has long been celebrated for its ICONIC sun, surf, sand and community.

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The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) is host to the AFL from April to September and after the AFL Grand Final the MCG prepares for Cricket Season which usually starts at the end of September/early October and runs till the end of March. The MCG hosts both international and national Cricket Matches and is also home to Australia's National Sports Museum.

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Most of the 4,600 residents of Kangaroo Island (South Australia) are primary producers. One third of the island has been declared a conservation area or National Park. There is a unique artistic scene and a rich history.

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The World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park (Northern Territory) is a whopping 19,804 km2 (7,646 sq mi), which is about half the size of Switzerland. The park contains a multitude of diverse and vibrant habitats, from estuaries, rivers, woodlands and wetlands to rugged gorges and rocky escarpments. It’s famous for its flora, fauna and rock art.

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The Port Arthur Historic Site houses Australia's most intact convict settlement, including restored buildings and homes, ruins, a harbour, a coalmine, a factory and even an Isle of the Dead. With a museum, interactive experiences and a bistro serving fresh Tasmanian produce, a trip to the Port Arthur Historic site is one trip you will remember.

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Seen on TV and in movies, the Heart Shaped Reef, in Hardy Reef, has become a famous Queensland landmark and Australian icon. Hardy Reef boasts some of the best underwater viewing of the Great Barrier Reef in general, so snorkelling and scuba-diving is a must.

Located in the heart of the Northern Territory, Uluru formerly known as Ayers Rock, is the largest monolith (geological feature consisting of a single massive stone or rock) in the world. Noted for its natural and cultural value, it is certainly one of the most well known Australian Landmarks and the greatest of all Australian landforms, Down Under.

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Sydney Opera House is not only Australia's most famous landmark, this unique structure is one of the world's most instantly recognisable and iconic buildings. In 1956 an international competition to design an opera house for Sydney was held. Jørn Utzon had his extraordinary design declared the winner on January 29, 1957.

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Assembled by: A. Ballas

• Australian Landmarks• GEOGSPACE: Landscapes and Landforms

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