Canberra topographic map
Interactive map
Click on the map to display elevation.
About this map
The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, by groups including the Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri. European settlement commenced in the first half of the 19th century, as evidenced by surviving landmarks such as St John's Anglican Church and Blundells Cottage. On 1 January 1901, federation of the colonies of Australia was achieved. Following a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital, a compromise was reached: the new capital would be built in New South Wales, so long as it was at least 100 mi (160 km) from Sydney. The capital city was founded and formally named as Canberra in 1913. A plan by the American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin was selected after an international design contest, and construction commenced in 1913. Unusual among Australian cities, it is an entirely planned city. The Griffins' plan featured geometric motifs and was centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill and City Hill. Canberra's mountainous location makes it the only mainland Australian city where snow-capped mountains can be seen in winter; although snow in the city itself is uncommon.
Other topographic maps
Click on a map to view its topography, its elevation and its terrain.
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Mudgee
Mudgee, Mid-Western Regional Council, New South Wales, 2850, Australia
Average elevation: 535 m
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Middle Cove
Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Middle Cove, Lower North Shore, Sydney, Willoughby City Council, New South Wales, 2068, Australia
Average elevation: 62 m
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Corinella
Corinella, Forbes Shire Council, New South Wales, 2871, Australia
Average elevation: 213 m
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Woonona
Australia > New South Wales > Wollongong City Council
Woonona, Wollongong City Council, New South Wales, 2517, Australia
Average elevation: 83 m
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North Burnett Regional
North Burnett Regional, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 277 m
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Ballina
Ballina, Ballina Shire Council, New South Wales, 2478, Australia
Average elevation: 9 m
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Gladstone
Gladstone, Gladstone Regional, Queensland, 4680, Australia
Average elevation: 24 m
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Bruny Island
Australia > Tasmania > Alonnah
Bruny Island, Alonnah, Kingborough, Tasmania, Australia
Average elevation: 59 m
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Lennox Head
Lennox Head, Ballina Shire Council, New South Wales, 2478, Australia
Average elevation: 6 m
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Lake Borumba
Lake Borumba, Gympie Regional, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 331 m
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Suffolk Park
Suffolk Park, Byron Shire Council, New South Wales, 2481, Australia
Average elevation: 15 m
![Byron Bay topographic map, elevation, terrain](/pub/maps/relation/37rr/xc4xzs/icon.jpg)
Byron Bay
Byron Bay, Byron Shire Council, New South Wales, 2481, Australia
Average elevation: 7 m
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Tintenbar
Tintenbar, Ballina Shire Council, New South Wales, 2478, Australia
Average elevation: 49 m
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Lismore City Council
Lismore City Council, New South Wales, 2480, Australia
Average elevation: 83 m
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Mullumbimby
Mullumbimby, Byron Shire Council, New South Wales, 2482, Australia
Average elevation: 29 m
![Oberon Council topographic map, elevation, terrain](/pub/maps/relation/7914/w81zkl/icon.jpg)
Oberon Council
Oberon Council, New South Wales, 2787, Australia
Average elevation: 899 m
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Katoomba
Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Katoomba, Sydney, Blue Mountains City Council, New South Wales, 2780, Australia
Average elevation: 912 m
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Port Hedland
Port Hedland, Town Of Port Hedland, Western Australia, 6721, Australia
Average elevation: 6 m
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Dalby
Dalby, Western Downs Regional, Queensland, 4405, Australia
Average elevation: 353 m
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Mount Meharry
Mount Meharry, Shire Of Ashburton, Western Australia, Australia
Average elevation: 1,030 m
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Sackville North
Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Sackville North, Sydney, The Hills Shire Council, New South Wales, 2756, Australia
Average elevation: 37 m
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Kallangur
Kallangur, Moreton Bay Regional, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 28 m
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Shire Of Exmouth
Shire Of Exmouth, Western Australia, 6707, Australia
Average elevation: 24 m
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Wallaga Lake
Wallaga Lake, Bega Valley Shire Council, New South Wales, 2546, Australia
Average elevation: 10 m
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Mount Bogong
Mount Bogong, Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia
Average elevation: 1,719 m
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Wollongong City Council
Australia > New South Wales > Wollongong City Council
Wollongong City Council, New South Wales, Australia
Average elevation: 156 m
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Bartle Frere
Bartle Frere, Cairns Regional, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 105 m
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Bundaberg
Australia > Queensland > Bundaberg Region
Bundaberg, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 18 m
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Melbourne Water Pipe Reserve
Australia > Victoria > Melbourne
Melbourne Water Pipe Reserve, Burwood East, Melbourne, City of Whitehorse, Victoria, Australia
Average elevation: 118 m
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City Of Greater Geraldton
City Of Greater Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia
Average elevation: 264 m
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Eradu South
Eradu South, City Of Greater Geraldton, Western Australia, Australia
Average elevation: 194 m
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Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Snowy Monaro Regional Council, New South Wales, Australia
Average elevation: 850 m
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Joondalup
Australia > Western Australia > Joondalup
Joondalup, City Of Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia
Average elevation: 33 m
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Mount Riverview
Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Mount Riverview, Sydney, Blue Mountains City Council, New South Wales, 2774, Australia
Average elevation: 201 m
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The District Council of Cleve
The District Council of Cleve, South Australia, Australia
Average elevation: 158 m
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Elimbah
Elimbah, Moreton Bay Regional, Queensland, 4516, Australia
Average elevation: 25 m
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Peachester
Australia > Queensland > Peachester
Peachester, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 137 m
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Beerwah
Australia > Queensland > Beerwah
Beerwah, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 4519, Australia
Average elevation: 55 m
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Cleveland
Cleveland, Redland City, Queensland, 4163, Australia
Average elevation: 12 m
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Sydney
Australia > New South Wales > Sydney
Sydney, New South Wales, 2061, Australia
Average elevation: 34 m
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Coppabella
Coppabella, Isaac Regional, Queensland, Australia
Average elevation: 254 m