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.

It's peak at 812m above sea level rises above Lake Burley Griffin with a water level of 556m above sea level. Situated at close to the highest point is Telstra 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.