The highest mountains on the Australian mainland are in the Snowy Mountains region in New South Wales and the Victorian Alps which are part of the Great Dividing Range separating the central lowlands from the eastern highlands.
| NAME | HEIGHT (m) |
|---|---|
| Mount Kosciuszko | 2228 |
| Mount Townsend | 2209 |
| Mount Twynam | 2195 |
| Rams Head | 2190 |
| Unnamed peak on Etheridge Ridge | 2180 |
| Rams Head North | 2177 |
| Alice Rawson Peak | 2160 |
| Unnamed peak south-west of Abbott Peak | 2159 |
| Abbott Peak and Carruthers Peak | 2145 |
| Mt Northcote | 2131 |
Note: In producing a list of highest mountains, there is always subjective debate over what should and should not be included. Some peaks may have local names that are unknown to state authorities or map producers. Often questions arise as to whether a peak is a separate mountain or part of a ridge.
Source: Geoscience Australia National Geodetic database, 1993, combined with the National Gazetteer of Australia.
| STATE/TERRITORY | NAME | HEIGHT (m) |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Mt Kosciuszko | 2228 |
| Victoria | Mt Bogong | 1986 |
| Australian Capital Territory | Bimberi Peak | 1912 |
| Queensland | Bartle Frere (South Peak) | 1622 |
| Tasmania | Mt Ossa | 1617 |
| Northern Territory | Mt Zeil | 1531 |
| South Australia | Mt Woodroffe | 1435 |
| Western Australia | Mt Meharry | 1253 |
Source: Geoscience Australia National Geodetic database, 1993.
Looking towards the Grey Mare
Range in the Snowy Mountains
© Geoscience Australia
This view across the Snowy Mountains shows typically undulating tablelands. By comparison, the Victorian Alps feature a distinct height difference between ridge crests and adjacent valley floors.
Another perspective of the Snowy Mountains region is revealed through asatellite image of the area.
There is more information for those wishing to visit our highest mountains on Geoscience Australia's Australian Alps Tourist Map.
An Aerial view towards Mt Hotham.
© Doug May.
The Victorian Alps are a popular destination for bushwalking and horse-riding in the summer, and cross-country and downhill skiing in the winter. They contain Victoria's highest mountain, Mt Bogong, and other notable peaks including Mt Hotham, Mt Buffalo, Mt Cope, and Mt Baw Baw.
The expanded panorama of the image to the left shows the ridges and valleys which are typical of the landscape that make up the Victorian Alps.
It is a little-known fact that the highest point on Australian territory is actually Mawson's Peak. Located on Heard Island, Mawson's Peak is 2745 metres high and forms the summit of an active volcano called Big Ben. Heard Island is well south of the Australian continent (73°30' East, 53°05' South), approaching the coast of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean. There are higher elevations and mountains in the Australian Antarctic Territory.