Occupying the southeastern tip of the Australian mainland, Victoria is bordered by the Tasman Sea and the Southern Ocean to the south, South Australia to the west, and New South Wales to the north. The northern border is largely defined by the meandering path of the Murray River, Australia's longest river.
Despite its small size relative to other Australian states, Victoria is ecologically diverse. The Great Dividing Range runs east-to-west across the state, splitting the temperate coastal regions from the drier inland agricultural areas. The state features sweeping coastal beaches, rugged southern coastlines, extensive river systems, fertile central plains, and ancient volcanic plains in the west. Natural resources include rich agricultural soils, natural gas and oil in the Bass Strait, and significant forestry reserves.