Visiting the Australian Alps? Learn more about the beautiful sites at The Australian Alps, which can be seen from Snowy River in Victoria…
Located near the Snowy River Road close to Suggan Buggan in Victoria, The Australian Alps are recognized as the highest mountain ranges in the Australian mainland. Straddling the Australian Capital Territory, eastern Victoria and the southeastern edges of New South Wales, the Australian Alps are located in the southeast of Australia. In fact the Australian Alps are made up of the large peaks that are higher than 6,500 feet. Snow occurs on these peaks located in the Australian mainland on a regular basis.
The Australian Alps are categorized as a part of the Great Dividing Range, which includes different plateaus and mountains, which runs throughout the Australian mainland. The 3,000 kilometers of this strip run from the north end of Queensland and end in central Victoria.
The vast expanse of these mountains cut through the different streams and rivers that drain out towards the east into the Pacific Ocean, along with the streams and rivers, which have an inward flow and drain into the Murray River on the Australian mainland.
The Murray River System
Comprised of internal catchments, the Murray River system is an inland flowing water network. The huge highlands reach their greatest height at the Australian Alps.
The Snowy Mountains
The snowy mountains also considered as part of the Australian Alps and are located in New South Wales. The Victorian Alps are found in the southwestern half of the Alps.
Natural and Commercial Importance of the Australian Alps
The importance of the Australian Alps lies in the fact that they are essential for the conservation of the environment and as a water catchment. Furthermore they provide excellent opportunities for recreation and tourism, which is important commercial aspect of the Alps. They act as the drainage basin because majority of the eastern slopes allow water to drain into the Murray River along with its tributary, the Murrumbidgee River.
These water systems are protected and preserved within large and sprawling national parks. Some of the well-known parks include the Kosciuszko National Park located in New South Wales along with the famous Alpine National Park based in Victoria. Both are managed in joint coalition with the institutions known as the Australian Alps National Parks Association for New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. These parks have the only ski resorts located on the Australian mainland and these are the only permanent settlements along with Cabramurra, which is a Snowy Mountains Scheme town.
There are some small towns dotting the valleys below, including locations like Jindabyne in New South Wales, Mount Beauty and Corryong. The Alps are much less steep when compared to other mountains and it is not required that one should have special mountaineering equipment to navigate the terrain. There are some locations that provide the perfect opportunity for abseiling and just the right cliffs for rock climbing.
Bushfires in the Australian Alps
A majority of the bushfires occur in the Victorian Alps. Some occasions have seen the complete burnout of the Australian Alps through bushfires. One of the major bushfires in the history of this area is remembered as Black Thursday in 1851. This was followed by many other occasions where the Australian Alps were completely burnt out and include the fires known as Black Friday in 1939 and subsequent fires in the 21st century.
Magnificent Alpine Huts
The beautiful 120 alpine huts, which were left by the cattlemen settlers, were used for surveying in earlier decades are today utilized by hikers, fly fishers and skiing enthusiasts. There’s a lot to do in the Australian Alps, including hiking, skiing, trekking and lounging around in the beautiful panorama surrounding these magnificent highlands.
