Lyla Lindsey
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. The population of Australia is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast. The state of Tasmania, which is a large island off the southeast coast of mainland Australia, has a population of 570,000. The largest islands by population are those connected to major urban areas on the mainland by bridge, including Bribie Island near Brisbane with a population of 18,000, and Phillip Island near Melbourne with a population of 14,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of islands in Tasmania | 334 |
| Largest islands by population | Bribie Island, Phillip Island |
| Population of Tasmania | 570,000 |
| Population of Bribie Island | 18,000 |
| Population of Phillip Island | 14,000 |
| Population distribution | 95% of Australians live within 100 km of the coast |
| Number of islands in South Australia | 300 |
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What You'll Learn
- Population distribution: 95% of Australians live within 100 km of the coast
- Indigenous history: Torres Strait Islander people settled on islands 2,500 years ago
- Natural forces: The South Australian coastline has been sculpted by wind and waves
- Unique wildlife: Many of Australia's animal species are found nowhere else
- Agriculture: Some islands have been lived on and farmed
Population distribution: 95% of Australians live within 100 km of the coast
Australia is an urban coastal nation. As of 2024, Australia's population was around 27 million, with the majority of people living within 100 km of the coast. This equates to about 95% of Australians living within 100 km of the coast, compared to a world average of 39%. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. This coastal concentration may be attributed to the semi-arid and desert geography of much of the country's interior.
In 2001, 85% of Australia’s population lived within 50 kilometres (km) of the coast, and by 2019, that proportion had risen to 87%. This equates to over 22 million Australians now calling the coast home. While coastal population growth has previously been concentrated in urban centres, it is now spreading to coastal townships and villages.
The country's five largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, all have metropolitan populations of over one million. These cities are located in the temperate south-eastern region, where population density exceeds 38 inhabitants per square kilometre in central Melbourne. The capitals grew by 427,800 people (2.4%) between 2023 and 2024, with overseas migration being the main driver of this growth.
Australia's population density is low, at around 3.4 to 4 people per square kilometre of total land area, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. The majority of the population lives in urban areas, with 86.51% living in cities. Australia is highly urbanised, with 67% to 89% of its population living in a handful of urban areas.
The population distribution in Australia, with 95% of its people living within 100 km of the coast, has significant implications for the country's development and environmental challenges. The high concentration of people along the coast puts pressure on coastal environments and habitats, as urban infrastructure and human activities impact the natural landscape. Additionally, the country's tourism industry, a significant driver of economic growth, is closely linked to its coastal areas.
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Indigenous history: Torres Strait Islander people settled on islands 2,500 years ago
Australia is officially the Commonwealth of Australia and is a country comprising the mainland Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by total area. The Torres Strait Islands are a group of islands in the Torres Strait, north of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia, and south of the island of New Guinea.
The Torres Strait Islander people first settled their islands at least 2,500 years ago. They are culturally and linguistically distinct from mainland Aboriginal peoples. Seafaring and horticulture were key to their livelihood, with resources drawn from the reefs and seas. Agriculture also developed on some islands, and villages appeared by the 1300s. By the mid-18th century, in northern Australia, contact, trade, and cross-cultural engagement had been established between local Aboriginal groups and Makassan trepangers, visiting from present-day Indonesia.
The Torres Strait Islands are best known as the birthplace of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a famous campaigner for Indigenous land rights. Mabo played a key role in a landmark decision by the High Court of Australia that overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius, which characterised Australian law regarding land and title. As a result of this case, the islands were the first place in Australia where Native Title was recognised under Australian law.
The present-day inhabitants of the Torres Strait Islands are primarily of Melanesian origin, with some mixture of Polynesians and Southeast Asians. There are about 6,800 Torres Strait Islanders living in the strait and an estimated 42,000 living outside the islands, mostly in north Queensland.
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Natural forces: The South Australian coastline has been sculpted by wind and waves
Australia is officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia and is a country that comprises the mainland Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest country in the world by area, the world's flattest and driest inhabited continent, and is sometimes considered the world's largest island.
The South Australian coastline has been sculpted by various natural forces, including wind and waves. The coastline has a length of 35,877 km (22,293 mi), excluding all offshore islands. The Australian mainland is relatively flat, with an average height of 325 meters (1,066 ft) compared to 870 meters (2,850 ft) for all continents. The Great Dividing Range runs along most of eastern Australia, dividing the central lowlands from the eastern highlands. The country's rivers have the lowest discharge into the sea of any continent, and its mainland's flat, arid profile results in slow-moving rivers, leading to a build-up of salt in the land.
The coastline of South Australia has been subjected to strong winds and large waves, which have caused damage to jetties, boat-launching facilities, shopfronts, and foreshore infrastructure. These natural forces have also resulted in significant sand loss along the coastline. The Southern Ocean, which lies to the south of Australia, has played a key role in shaping the over 300 islands of South Australia, and these islands are home to distinct animal and plant species not commonly found in the northern parts of the country.
The impact of wind and waves on the South Australian coastline is further evident in the varying degrees of coastal change observed across the region. Over a 33-year period, 22% of Australia's non-rocky coastlines have retreated or grown significantly, while 78% have remained stable. Beach nourishment and scraping techniques have been employed in some locations to protect coastal properties, but these practices can also impact the flora and fauna of sandy beaches.
The unique beaches in estuaries and bays (BEBs) of South Australia are exposed to highly variable wave energy environments. While they are usually sheltered from ocean waves, locally generated wind waves and infragravity waves play a significant role in shaping these beaches. The BEBs provide critical natural assets for recreation, habitat, and feeding areas for marine and terrestrial flora and fauna.
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Unique wildlife: Many of Australia's animal species are found nowhere else
Australia is a megadiverse country with a wide variety of landscapes and climates, from deserts in the interior to tropical rainforests along the coast. It is sometimes considered the world's largest island and is often dubbed the "island continent".
Australia's unique wildlife has evolved in isolation over millions of years, resulting in a high proportion of endemic species. More than 80% of Australia's plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to the country and are found nowhere else in the world.
Some of Australia's most iconic animals include kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, platypuses, and echidnas. The country is also home to unique species such as the Tasmanian Devil, which plays a crucial role in controlling introduced species such as feral cats and red foxes. The devil is the only native animal to successfully outwit these introduced predators, providing a protective buffer for other native species.
Australia's diverse landscapes provide habitats for a range of wildlife. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies off the north-east coast and is home to an array of marine life. The tropical rainforests of Queensland and New Guinea are home to tree kangaroos, a shy and elusive marsupial that dwells among the trees. The southern coast of Australia is known for its kangaroos and koalas, and unique penguin species, while the inland deserts and arid regions host their own adapted wildlife.
Australia's islands also support unique ecosystems and species. Tasmania, a large island state off the southeast coast, is known for its Tasmanian Devils, as well as species like the spotted-tail quoll and the now-extinct Tasmanian tiger. Other islands, such as Kangaroo Island and Maria Island, are home to unique subspecies like the Tammar wallaby and Bennett's wallaby (or red-necked wallaby). These islands showcase the diverse and endemic wildlife that thrives in Australia's varied environments.
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Agriculture: Some islands have been lived on and farmed
Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders. The country itself is sometimes considered the world's largest island, and is often dubbed the "island continent".
The Torres Strait Islander people are culturally and linguistically distinct from mainland Aboriginal peoples. They were seafarers and obtained their livelihood from seasonal horticulture and the resources of their reefs and seas. Agriculture developed on some islands, and villages appeared by the 1300s.
Today, agriculture is a significant sector in Australia, utilizing about 60% of the country's land area. However, only 5% is dedicated to crop production, with the rest used for open-range cattle grazing. Queensland and Western Australia are the states with the largest areas of cropland.
Key crops include wheat, sugar, and various fruits, with wheat being the most prominent crop and Australia ranking as the world's fourth-largest exporter. Sugarcane thrives in the warm, wet climates of Queensland, while fruit cultivation varies across the country, with tropical fruits in the north and temperate fruits in the south. Other notable agricultural products include cotton, rice, barley, honey, and tea and coffee in northern Queensland.
Olives have been grown in Australia since the early 1800s. By the mid-1990s, there were 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of olives, and from 2000 to 2003 this increased to 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres).
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Frequently asked questions
There are numerous small islands in Australia, with 334 islands in the state of Tasmania alone.
Australia's population is concentrated on the coastal fringes, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast. The largest islands by population are those connected to major urban areas on the mainland by bridge, including Bribie Island near Brisbane with a population of 18,000, and Phillip Island near Melbourne with a population of 14,000.
Some of Australia's small islands that people live on include Kangaroo Island, Moreton Island, Norfolk Island, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
