Mount Keira

Mount Keira Wollongong, New South Wales
Overlooking Wollongong Harbour and North Wollongong to Mount Keira
Coordinates	34°24′26″S 150°51′09″E / 34.40722°S 150.85250°E / -34.40722; 150.85250
Population	1,445 (2006 census)
Postcode(s)	2500
Elevation	463.9 m (1,522 ft)
LGA(s)	City of Wollongong
State electorate(s)	Keira
Federal Division(s)	Cunningham
Suburbs around Mount Keira: Balgownie, Mount Pleasant Mount Ousley Mount Keira Keiraville Mount Kembla Figtree West Wollongong

Mount Keira
Mount Keira seen from Keiraville
Highest point
Elevation	464 m (1,522 ft)
Coordinates	34°24′S 150°51′E / 34.400°S 150.850°E / -34.400; 150.850Coordinates: 34°24′S 150°51′E / 34.400°S 150.850°E / -34.400; 150.850
Geography
Mount Keira Location in New South Wales
Location	Illawarra region, New South Wales, Australia

Mount Keira /ˈkɪərə/ is a suburb and mountain in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia.

The suburb, a semi-rural township of Wollongong, located on the mountain's summit and southern flank, gets its name from the mountain, located on the Illawarra escarpment, is derived from an Aboriginal word, keira, meaning "large lagoon or high mountain." The aborigines called it Djera, meaning wild turkey. The first maps of the area called it Keera, later adding the i.

The summit of Mount Keira has an elevation of 464 metres (1,522 ft) above sea level that is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) northwest of the city of Wollongong. Its distinctive shape and proximity to Wollongong make it a major local landmark. It is noted for the views of the city from the popular summit lookout and its history of coal mining. It was formed as part of the Illawarra escarpment fold between 80 and 60 million years ago and the erosion by creeks that ensued.

Mount Keira forms part of the Illawarra escarpment which it joins by a high saddle on the back (western) side. It is capped by a westward sloping plateau of relatively hard sandstone ringed on the remaining 3 sides by cliffs. From the cliff base the mountain slopes down to the surrounding foothills and coastal plain. From Wollongong the mountain looks rather flat topped; while from the north it appears part of the escarpment.

The majority of the mountain is forested with eucalypt (sclerophyll) forest and sub-tropical rainforest, while civilization encroaches on the lower slope regions. Surrounding suburbs are (from north to south): Balgownie, Mount Pleasant; Mount Ousley; Keiraville; West Wollongong; Figtree and Mount Kembla.