It is bordered by sand, beaches, and rocky cliffs that stretch along the Pacific Coast. It also has the highest elevations in the country. The Central Highlands have the lowest elevations in Australia. I t is generally flat and has many rivers that flow after heavy rainfall. It has a higher average elevation than the Central Highlands.
Deserts cover the central section of the Western Plateau.
The rainfall is heaviest in the extreme north and southwest. The highest mountains in the country are the Australian Alps. Rivers are its most vital resources in providing the drinking water for the towns, cities, and much needed water for irrigation. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef. It is a chain of over 2,500 reefs that is home to about 400 species of coral.