Sydney's topography is characterized by a mix of coastal flats, rolling hills, and steep sandstone escarpments. The city's coastline features dramatic sandstone cliffs broken by deep inlets and sandy beaches.
* **Highest Point:** The highest points within the Greater Sydney region are located in the Blue Mountains fringes, though within the immediate suburban basin, heights rarely exceed 200 meters above sea level. * **Lowest Point:** Sea level (Tasman Sea/Sydney Harbor). * **Key Features:** The topography is dominated by Port Jackson, an intricate, drowned river valley. To the west, the relatively flat Cumberland Plain makes up much of Western Sydney, which is where the majority of the city's urban sprawl has occurred. The North Shore and Northern Beaches are built upon the deeply incised Hornsby Plateau, known for its steep hills, leafy ravines, and winding roads.
