LibGuides: Explore the Outdoors: Victorian Environments: Alpine Environment

Alpine Climates

1,600 years ago, climate change hit the Australian Alps
The University of Wollongong's website (uow.edu.au) discusses a study revealing evidence of climate change impacting the Australian Alps 1600 years ago.
Australian alpine environment across ACT, NSW and Victoria: Bushfire Recovery
he website of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, and Environment of Australia (dcceew.gov.au) provides information about the Australian Alpine region's bushfire recovery through their Regional Delivery Program. The program aims to support the restoration and conservation of biodiversity in the region after the impact of bushfires.
Australian Alpine Weather: BOM
BOM Alpine weather overviews, 7-day Forecasts and Latest Weather Graphs.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology: Average Rainfall Maps
These maps show the average annual, seasonal and monthly rainfall distribution across Australia.
Australian Bureau of Meteorology: Average Temperature Maps
These temperature maps show the average annual and average monthly distributions of maximum, minimum and mean temperature.

Alpine Regions in Victoria

The alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems in Victoria are confined to the Eastern Highlands mostly above 1300 m. The precipitation usually exceeds 1400 mm a year, some of which falls as snow in the winter when minimum temperatures regularly fall below zero. Virtually all of the alpine ecosystems in Victoria fall on public land and about 75% are in some form or conservation park or reserve.

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Human Interaction with Alpine Environments

Alpine National Park
Alpine National Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes traditional Country of the Taungurung and Gunaikurnai Peoples.
The Alpine National Park is an adventure-lover’s dream. Hike Victoria’s highest mountain ranges, explore wildflower draped landscapes on horseback or head out on world-class mountain bike trails. Run wild rapids on white-water rafting trips, four-wheel drive the secluded reaches of the park or cross-country ski through tangled snow gum forests.
Protection of the Alpine National Park: Parks Victoria Action Plan
Parks Victoria is responsible for managing a diverse estate of more than 4 million hectares including 3,000 land and marine parks and reserves making up 18 per cent of Victoria’s landmass, 75 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands and 70 per cent of Victoria’s coastline. Victoria’s parks are home to more than 4,300 native plants and around 1,000 native animal species.