Winter Rain Region.
This region consists of a belt along the south coasts of Australia. It may be subdivided into four sections on geographical grounds, though the meteorology does not differ so much as might be expected—
- (1) The south-west corner or Westralia Felix.
- (2) The Bight Littoral.
- (3) South Australian gulfs, Western Victoria, and the Riverina, New South Wales.
- (4) Tasmania (except the south-east).
In these areas there is a strong maximum of rainfall in June, especially in the west. Along the Australian Bight the area receiving more than 10 inches is extremely narrow. The effect of the Flinders Range, which lies athwart the westerly winds, in improving the rainfall of South Australia is very strikingly shown. Probably the long "Rift" Gulf immediately to the west also tends to increase the rainfall hereabouts. In Victoria, the rainfall becomes more uniform towards the north-east.
Along the west coast of Tasmania is a region, unique in Australia, where a superabundance of rain has almost prohibited settlement. There are practically no inhabitants in the south-west region, which is very rugged country covered with an almost impenetrable scrub. The rainfall reaches 115 inches per year on the highlands behind Macquarie Harbor, and is therefore only exceeded at Harvey Creek and neighbouring stations in North Queensland.
Around Hobart is a small region having a much more uniform rainfall with a spring maximum.
Meteorological data for the following stations will indicate how the elements vary in the Winter Rain Region:—
| Town. | State. | Description. |
| Perth | Western Australia | Capital. On Melville Water, 10 miles from ocean |
| Esperance | Western Australia | On the south coast |
| Eucla | Western Australia | On the coast, at the head of the Great Australian Bight |
| Port Augusta | South Australia | On the coast, at the head of Spencer's Gulf |
| Adelaide | South Australia | Capital. On the east coast of St. Vincent' Gulf |
| Robe | South Australia | On the coast, in the south-east corner of South Australia |
| Albury | New South Wales | In the Eastern Riverina, 542 feet above sea-level |
| Launceston | Tasmania | On the Tamar Estuary, and 30 miles from the sea |
