Great Dividing Range

Australia · mountains · geography

Enormous mountain system. The Great Dividing Range is the fifth-longest mountain chain in the entire world, and the longest one that stays completely within a single country. It runs roughly parallel to Australia's east coast like a giant backbone.

Controls all the water. This mountain range acts as a watershed, which means it decides which direction all the rivers and streams in eastern Australia flow. Rain that falls on one side flows to the ocean, while rain on the other side flows inland.

Stretches far and wide. The Great Dividing Range is made up of many smaller mountain ranges, plateaus, and rolling hills spread across a huge area. It's mainland Australia's biggest and most important landscape feature.