Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)

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Black Mountain
Elevation: 812 metres AHD(2,664 feet)
Latitude: 35° 17′ S
Longitude: 149° 6′ E
Location: Canberra, Australia
Range: Brindabella Ranges
First ascent: 1820
Easiest route: hike or drive as there has been a new road installed to connect Telstra Tower

Black Mountain is situated close to the central business district of Australia's capital city Canberra. Like all major hills in Canberra it is protected from development by the Canberra Nature Park. It is covered in native bushland and is a haven to native wildlife.

With its peak at 812m AHD, Black Mountain rises 256m above the water level of Lake Burley Griffin. Situated at close to the highest point is Telstra Tower, a broadcasting tower rising a further 195m above the summit.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens and the CSIRO share the eastern base of Black Mountain, next to the Australian National University.

[edit] Geology

The bulk of Black Mountain consists of the white quartz Black Mountain Sandstone. This was deposited in the late early Silurian Age. On the south east slopes and north west there are exposures of State Circle Shale. The Black Mountain Peninsula contains mudstone in the north and greywacke from the Ordovician age Pittman Formation in the south. Natural History of the Australian Capital Territory covers more of the geology of the ACT.

Black Mountain Locality Map
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Black Mountain Locality Map
Black Mountain and Telstra Tower as seen from across Lake Burley Griffin
Enlarge
Black Mountain and Telstra Tower as seen from across Lake Burley Griffin


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