Australia is the flattest continent on Earth, with an average elevation of just 330 meters. The topography is broadly divided into three main regions: the Western Plateau, the Central Lowlands, and the Eastern Highlands (also known as the Great Dividing Range).
The Eastern Highlands stretch parallel to the east coast from Queensland to Victoria, influencing the climate and settlement patterns of the country. This range contains Australia's highest mainland peak, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches a modest 2,228 meters (7,310 feet).
To the west of the Great Dividing Range lie the Central Lowlands, a vast, flat, and largely arid basin that includes the continent's lowest point, Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre, situated 15 meters below sea level. Further west is the Western Plateau, a massive, ancient shield rock formation covering roughly half the continent, characterized by sweeping deserts, striking monoliths like Uluru, and deep, rugged gorges in regions like the Kimberley and the Pilbara.
