The main natural characteristics of Harvey, with the exception of the rivers, are all oriented generally north-south. Starting at the coast, the beach is backed by an environmentally fragile system of dunes stretching about 500 metres inland. Behind the dunes there are a line of saline inlets and lakes, which run parallel to the coast. The Leschenault Inlet is in the southern third of the Shire, and Lake Preston is in the northern half, with only a relatively small gap providing direct access to the sea. The lake and inlet system continues right along the coast to Mandurah, which will cause pressure for development to be focused at the gaps. 
East of the lakes the coastal plain stretches inland for about 19 kilometres before the foothills of the Darling Scarp. The coastal plain is flat or gently undulating limestone sandy country, ranging in height from about 5 metres AHD near the lakes rising to about 40 metres AHD at a limestone ridge about 7 kilometres inland. Further inland the land falls to below 20 metres AHD to be flat, poorly drained swamp-prone sand country, interspersed by low white sand dunes. It is colloquially referred to as the black sand country. Further east, at about 14 kilometres inland, the land changes to brown gravelly sand loam country which is very flat. So flat, that much of it has been "laser leveled" to facilitate flood irrigation which supports the year round pasture for the important local dairy and beef industry. It is this area which supports most of Harvey's rural farming community, and it is perhaps the most scenically dominant characteristic in the Shire. Because much of it is completely cleared, vistas are wide and are seen from the South West Highway, which passes along the western edge of it. The irrigated pasture belt varies in width, but averages about 4 kilometres wide and reaches up to the foothills. The foothills start at about 40 metres AHD and rise to 100 metres. Thereafter, the scarp rises steeply from 100 to 200 metres AHD. They form the most important scenic backdrop to the pasture country. Most of the foothills have been "parkland cleared", a method of improving grazing by removing all but the mature trees, which gives the country a park-like quality, especially in the winter when all is green. 
Further inland, the upper plateau rises from about 200 to 300 metres AHD. This upland forms the Darling plateau, which accounts for about half the area of the Shire. It is mostly State forests under the control of the Department of Conservation and Land Management. This area is rich in bauxite, which is the basis of the State's aluminium refinery industry. It is also an important recreational area for such diverse activities as national and international car rallies, white water canoeing, bushwalking and camping. Focal points for recreation in these areas are provided by the dams in the hills' water catchments, the source of the water for irrigation of the rich flat pasture below. Very little of the natural vegetation or native forests still exist in the Shire. A couple of patches of remnant tuart forests are now being protected in the north west corner of the Shire. Nevertheless, the combination of the rural elements described above make the Shire picturesque in a "settled meadow countryside" way, most popular with city folk because of the obvious park-like characteristics.
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