Leslie Massey
Australia is surrounded by many island nations, including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and New Caledonia. Despite being the only country on its continent, Australia maintains a deeply integrated relationship with neighbouring New Zealand, with free mobility of citizens between the two countries under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and free trade under the Closer Economic Relations agreement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of neighbouring countries | 5 |
| Names of neighbouring countries | Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and New Caledonia |
| Direction of neighbouring countries from Australia | Papua New Guinea (to the north), New Zealand (to the east) |
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What You'll Learn
Papua New Guinea is Australia's closest neighbour to the north
Papua New Guinea has retained close ties with Australia since its independence in 1975. The two countries have signed several agreements, including the "Agreement on Trade and Commercial Relations between the Government of Australia and the Government of Papua New Guinea" in 1977 and 1991, and the "Joint Declaration of Principles Guiding Relations Between Australia and Papua New Guinea" in 1987. Papua New Guinea is also one of the largest recipients of Australian aid.
Despite the close relations, there have been some tensions between the two countries. In the early 2000s, there was a diplomatic incident when Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare was barred from entering Australia. In 2006, tensions rose due to the "Julian Moti affair", where Papua New Guinea flew a fugitive wanted by Australia on a clandestine flight, causing outrage in the Australian government.
Papua New Guinea offers a unique travel experience for Australians. The country is known for its tribal culture, with over 820 different languages spoken and distinct cultures. It is also a popular destination for scuba diving, with untouched reefs and sunken wrecks from World War II.
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Australia and New Zealand have a deeply integrated relationship
Australia is surrounded by ocean and has no land borders with any countries. However, it is worth noting that Australia and New Zealand have a deeply integrated relationship, underpinned by shared history, culture, and close geographic proximity. With a distance of approximately 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) of sea separating the east coast of Australia and New Zealand, the two countries are in close proximity to each other.
The relationship between the two nations is strong and multifaceted. Historically, both countries have shared a similar British colonial heritage, which has influenced their legal, political, and educational systems. This common foundation has created a sense of familiarity and understanding between Australians and New Zealanders, often referred to as 'ANZAC spirit', forged during their involvement in the Gallipoli campaign of World War I. This spirit continues to be a source of unity and camaraderie between the two countries.
Beyond history, Australia and New Zealand share strong economic ties. Both countries are highly integrated economically, with significant trade and investment flows between them. They are also members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which further enhances their economic relationship and provides a platform for cooperation and collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cultural and social connections run deep between the two nations. New Zealand is the most common destination for Australians travelling abroad, and many Australians have family or ancestral ties to New Zealand. Similarly, New Zealand regularly attracts Australian tourists, and there is a strong sense of mutual appreciation for each other's natural landscapes, outdoor lifestyles, and sporting cultures. The close cultural ties are evident in the popularity of each country's film and television industries, with shows and movies frequently featuring in both markets.
The people-to-people links are strong, with a significant exchange of students, researchers, and skilled workers. Both countries recognise the value of this exchange and have implemented policies to facilitate it, including the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, which allows citizens of either country to visit, live, and work in the other country without the need for a visa. This arrangement has fostered a sense of freedom and opportunity for citizens of both nations.
In summary, despite the absence of a land border, Australia and New Zealand share a uniquely close and integrated relationship. This special bond is characterised by historical ties, economic interdependence, cultural affinity, and strong people-to-people links. The relationship between these two nations is a testament to the power of shared history and values in fostering strong international relationships.
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Indonesia is a close neighbour of Australia
Australia is a large country that shares a continent with no other nation. However, it does have several neighbouring countries. Indonesia is one of Australia's closest neighbours. The Indonesian archipelago forms a protective barrier to Australia's northern approaches. In defence terms, Indonesia is Australia's most important neighbour. The two countries have been concerned with protecting fisheries from encroachment and determining responsibility for vessels in the maritime boundary between them.
Indonesia is also the most populous neighbouring country to Australia. It is also nearer by landfall to Australia than all countries except Papua New Guinea. The relationship between the two countries has been characterised by growing mutual trade, which reached A$17.8 billion in 2018-19, an increase of 6.9% over the previous year. Australia and Indonesia also have close links in government, education, and defence under the Lombok Treaty. Both nations are members of the G20, ASEAN Regional Forum, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the ASEAN Free Trade Area, the Indonesia–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), among other organisations.
Despite the close proximity and economic ties, Australia and Indonesia have had some differences in their relationship. In 2001, the Tampa affair strained relations when Australia refused permission for a Norwegian freighter ship carrying Afghan asylum seekers to enter its waters, and Indonesia did not immediately respond to requests to receive the vessel. In 2013, relations were again strained due to allegations that Australia had attempted to monitor the phone calls of senior Indonesian officials, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife.
There are also differences in the perception of democracy in the two countries. Polling conducted in 2006 indicated that Australians generally agreed that "Indonesia is essentially controlled by the military" and represents a "dangerous source of Islamic terrorism". However, the same survey also showed that a majority of respondents felt it was important for the two countries to develop a close relationship. As Indonesia's economy continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly important for Australia to foster a strong relationship with its close neighbour.
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Timor-Leste is another neighbouring country
Australia is a large country with a unique position in that it does not share its continent with any other nation. However, it does have several neighbouring countries, including New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, its closest neighbours. Timor-Leste is another neighbouring country, lying about 610 kilometres northwest of Darwin, an Australian city. The two countries are near neighbours with close political and trade ties.
Australia and Timor-Leste have a shared history and strong people-to-people links. Australia has been a key supporter of Timor-Leste since its independence in 2002, and the two nations have a profoundly important partnership. Australia has been Timor-Leste's largest development and security partner, and the two countries have strong defence ties. They have a bilateral relationship maintained through regular, high-level engagement by ministers, members of parliament, and officials.
Historically, Australia has played a prominent role in Timor-Leste's journey to independence. Australia led the military force that helped stabilise the country after it gained independence from Indonesia in 1999. Australian Defence Force units arrived in Timor-Leste in 1999 to address the rioting, disorder, and low-level fighting created by the Indonesian military's withdrawal. Australia also led the INTERFET operation in 1999 and provided substantial forces to the subsequent United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor.
Australia has also been a major source of aid for Timor-Leste. In the decade of 2000-2010, Australia was scheduled to provide around A$760 million in direct aid. In 2013-2014, the estimated annual aid budget from Australia to Timor-Leste was A$106 million. Australia has been Timor-Leste's biggest development partner, as the latter is one of the poorest nations in the world, ranking 147 out of 187 countries in the UN Human Development Index.
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New Caledonia is a neighbouring island nation
Australia is unique in that it is one of the only countries that does not share its continent with any other country. However, it does have several neighbouring island nations, including Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, East Timor, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
New Caledonia, officially the State of New Caledonia, is a group of islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. It is located 1,210 km (750 mi) east of Australia and 220 km (140 mi) southwest of Vanuatu. The archipelago is part of the Melanesia subregion and includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Chesterfield Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and a few remote islets.
New Caledonia has a rich history, serving as a penal colony from 1864 to 1897, during which the local indigenous people, the Kanak Melanesians, organised multiple uprisings against French colonial rule. In 1946, the island became part of the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. Today, it is a semi-autonomous French territory, with the French State retaining sovereignty in certain areas, including defence, foreign affairs, and law and order.
New Caledonia has strong ties with its neighbours, particularly Vanuatu, with which it has had a cooperation agreement since 2002. It also has close relations with Australia, with which it shares a common interest in stability in the Pacific region. The two countries have worked closely together in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and have longstanding people-to-people links across various sectors, including business, education, arts, sport, and healthcare. New Caledonia's national basketball team has won several medals in the Oceania region, and its rugby league team participated in the Pacific Cup in 2004. The island nation is also known for its unique cuisine, which features tropical fruits, rice, fish, and root vegetables such as taro, often prepared in a traditional buried-oven-style feast called bougna.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has no neighbouring countries on its continent, but it has many island nations that are considered close neighbours.
Australia's closest neighbours are Papua New Guinea to the north and New Zealand to the east.
Yes, other countries close to Australia include East Timor, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
