Sydney: region in focus
Sydney is set in a large basin surrounded by rugged sandstone. A large part of western Sydney, bounded by the Blue Mountains, is a relatively level region of clay soils known as the Cumberland Plain. Parts of the Cumberland Plain receive relatively low rainfall and it is hot in summer. Areas closer to the coast or at the higher altitudes in the Blue Mountains, receive higher rainfall and have a milder climate. Key regions include:
- Blue Gum High Forest on the shale soils of the North Shore/Pennant Hills/Castle Hill areas, which have high rainfall
- Cumberland Plain Woodlands
- Castlereagh Sandstone ridges and gullies
Some habitats around Sydney
Habitats include:
- rainforest
- riparian (along waterways) scrub
- eucalypt open forests
- eucalypt woodlands
- heath
- estuaries
- beaches and headlands
- freshwater wetlands
Find out more about Sydney's geology and habitats
- Living Harbour: Environments of Sydney Harbour - Geology. Learn about how Sydney Harbour's geology was shaped over time.
- Living Harbour: Where to see birds. Includes information on birds from different habitats around Sydney Harbour.
- The native vegetation of the Woronora, O'Hares and Sydney Metropolitan catchments.