Lexi Webster
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. The six states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The two territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. There are also several external territories, including the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Coral Sea Islands, and Norfolk Island. Each state and territory has its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and attractions, from rolling deserts to lush rainforests and vibrant cities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Federated States | 6 |
| Federated States | New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia |
| Number of Territories | 10 |
| Territories | Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Northern Territory, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island |
| Number of Internal Territories | 3 |
| Internal Territories | Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Northern Territory |
| Number of External Territories | 7 |
| External Territories | Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island |
| Self-Governing Territories with Independent Executive Governments, Legislatures, and Judicial Systems | All states and internal territories except Jervis Bay Territory |
| Territories with Local Government Status overseen by Federal Departments | Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island |
| Capital of Australian Capital Territory | Canberra |
| Capital of Northern Territory | Darwin |
| Capital of Queensland | Brisbane |
| Capital of Western Australia | Perth |
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What You'll Learn
- The Northern Territory is home to Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and Uluru
- New South Wales is the largest state by population and includes Sydney
- Queensland is known as the 'Sunshine State' and includes Brisbane
- Western Australia is the largest state by area and includes Perth
- The Australian Capital Territory contains Canberra, the nation's capital
The Northern Territory is home to Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and Uluru
Australia is divided into six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. The Northern Territory is one of the two territories and is home to Darwin, Kakadu National Park, and Uluru.
Darwin, the capital city of the Northern Territory, is known for its multicultural food, outdoor markets, and spectacular landscapes and wildlife within easy reach. The city's selection of vibrant and colourful markets is loved by locals and tourists. Darwin also offers a tropical outdoor lifestyle with harbour cruises, alfresco markets, an open-air cinema, and swimming holes in nearby national parks.
Kakadu National Park, Australia's second-largest national park, is a global treasure and is dual World Heritage-listed for its environmental and cultural values. The park features rugged escarpments, lush rainforests, and rock art galleries up to 20,000 years old. Kakadu is also a great place to learn about Aboriginal culture from the Traditional Owners, the Bininj/Mungguy people, and witness thundering waterfalls and millions of migratory birds among the wetlands.
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory. It is a sacred site for the indigenous people of Australia and is also a popular tourist destination, known for its unique shape and spiritual significance. Uluru, along with the nearby gems of Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, forms a world-renowned nature and culture trifecta in the region.
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New South Wales is the largest state by population and includes Sydney
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. New South Wales (NSW) is one of the six Australian states and is the largest by population. As of June 2022, NSW had a population of 8,153,000 residents, with over 5.3 million people living in the Greater Sydney area. Sydney is the capital of NSW and is located on the eastern coast of the state. The state is bordered by Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west, with its coast bordering the Coral and Tasman Seas to the east.
New South Wales has a diverse population, with people from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The state has the highest population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, making up 3.4% of the state's population. It is also home to a large number of overseas-born residents, with just over a quarter (26.7%) of NSW residents born outside of Australia. The state's cultural diversity is further reflected in the variety of religions practised and languages spoken.
Sydney, the capital of NSW, is Australia's most populous city. It is a cosmopolitan city known for its vibrant culture, stunning wine regions, pristine seaside villages, and mountain wilderness. Sydney has played a significant role in the history of Australia, as it was the site of the first British settlement in the country in 1788. The city is also a major centre for sports, with the National Rugby League being based in Sydney, and the city hosting the annual 'New Year' cricket Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
New South Wales has a strong economy, contributing significantly to Australia's overall economic and cultural influence. The state has a diverse landscape, ranging from coastal regions to interior tablelands. It is known for its natural features, including the Snowy Mountains, the Northern, Central, and Southern Tablelands, and the Blue Mountains. The state also boasts a rich biodiversity, with its national parks and unique wildlife, making it a popular destination for those seeking quintessential Australian experiences.
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Queensland is known as the 'Sunshine State' and includes Brisbane
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. Queensland is one of the six Australian states and is known as the Sunshine State. This nickname is well-deserved, given its warm climate, tropical beaches, and abundance of natural wonders. Queensland boasts the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
Queensland's capital and largest city is Brisbane, the third-largest city in Australia. Brisbane is a popular destination for tourists, offering a range of outdoor activities, art galleries, museums, shopping, beaches, fine dining, and nightlife. The city is also a major gateway to Queensland, with Brisbane Airport serving as the main international and domestic entry point to the state.
The state of Queensland has a population of over 5.5 million, with nearly three-quarters concentrated in South East Queensland. This region includes Brisbane and popular coastal destinations like the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The Sunshine Coast, located just an hour north of Brisbane, is known for its white sand beaches, dense rainforests, and freshwater lakes.
Queensland also has a thriving education sector, with numerous universities and schools. The state's oldest university, the University of Queensland, is ranked among the world's top 50 institutions. International education is a significant industry, with a large number of international students enrolled in the state, particularly from Asia.
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Western Australia is the largest state by area and includes Perth
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. Western Australia is the largest state by area, occupying roughly one-third of the total area of the continent and 32.9% of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the northeast, and South Australia to the southeast. Western Australia has a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 square miles) and is the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth, only surpassed by Russia's Sakha Republic.
The state has a diverse range of climates, including tropical conditions in the Kimberley, deserts in the interior, and a Mediterranean climate in the southwest and southern coastal areas. The flora of Western Australia comprises 10,162 native vascular plant species, with some of the largest numbers of plant species for its area in the world found in the southwest region. Western Australia's ecoregions include the sandstone gorges of the Kimberley on the northern coast, the drier Victoria Plains tropical savanna inland, and the semi-desert Pilbara shrublands, Carnarvon xeric shrublands, and Western Australian mulga shrublands to the southwest.
Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is home to around 80% of the state's population. It is one of the largest metropolitan regions in Australia and is closer in distance and time zone to Jakarta and Singapore than to Sydney. Perth is a major centre for mining-related services, with the state's mining sector being a key driver of the economy. The area south of Perth, Kwinana, was home to the nation's largest oil refinery until its closure in 2021.
Western Australia has a geological history dating back 4.4 billion years, with the earliest direct known life on land, stromatolites, starting to be created by microbes around 3.48 billion years ago. The state has a rugged coastline with strong currents and a tidal range that can reach 39 feet (12 metres). Inland, the landscape is sparsely wooded with bristly grasses, and most of the lakes are saline playas (dried-up lake beds).
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The Australian Capital Territory contains Canberra, the nation's capital
Australia is divided into six states and two territories. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is one of the two territories and is home to Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Canberra is situated in the southeast of the Australian mainland and is about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney. The territory was transferred to the federal government by New South Wales in 1911, two years before the capital city was founded and formally named Canberra in 1913.
Canberra occupies part of the Australian Capital Territory and is the territory's primate city. The territory also includes towns such as Williamsdale, Oaks Estate, Uriarra, Tharwa, and Hall, as well as the Namadgi National Park, which comprises the majority of the land area of the territory. The ACT has a relatively dry, continental climate, with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters.
Canberra is home to some of Australia's most important national institutions, including Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the National Library of Australia, and the Museum of Australian Democracy. The city also boasts a flourishing restaurant scene, a stunning wine region, and an array of parks and gardens.
The Australian federal government retains some influence over the ACT government, primarily through the National Capital Authority, which is responsible for planning and development in areas of national importance. The ACT was granted full self-government in 1988 with the enactment of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act, which established the framework for self-government.
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Frequently asked questions
The 6 Australian states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The 2 territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. There are also 7 external territories: the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Australian Antarctic Territory, Christmas Island, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, and Norfolk Island.
Yes, Central Australia and North Australia existed as territories from 1926 to 1931.
