Black Mountain (Australian Capital Territory)

Black Mountain
Black Mountain and Black Mountain Tower as seen from across Lake Burley Griffin
Elevation	812 m (2,664 ft)
Location
Black Mountain Locality of Black Mountain
Location	Canberra, Australia
Range	Brindabella Ranges
Coordinates	35°16′25.81″S 149°05′52.08″E
Climbing
First ascent	1820
Easiest route	Hike or drive

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 811.987m AHD, Black Mountain rises 256m above the water level of Lake Burley Griffin. Situated at close to the highest point is Black Mountain 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.

Black Mountain was originally named Black Hill at the same time as the naming of nearby Red Hill. The original name explains why the mountain is not now known as Mount Black like nearby Mount Majura and Mount Ainslie. The early settlers referred to the mountain formation as the Canberry Ranges

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. Geology of the Australian Capital Territory covers more of the geology of the ACT.

Canberra Nature Park, as seen from Black Mountain (looking due north).