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Australia is made up of six states and two territories, each with its own unique mix of environments, cultures, and rhythms. 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. The states originated as separate British colonies prior to Federation in 1901.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of States | 6 |
| Number of Territories | 2 |
| Number of Capital Cities | 8 |
| States | New South Wales (including Lord Howe Island), Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania (including Macquarie Island), Victoria, and Western Australia |
| 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, and Norfolk Island |
| Smallest State | Tasmania |
| Most Populated State | New South Wales |
| Capital of Queensland | Brisbane |
| Capital of Victoria | Melbourne |
| Capital of Tasmania | Hobart |
| Capital of South Australia | Adelaide |
| Capital of Australian Capital Territory | Canberra |
| Capital of Northern Territory | Darwin |
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What You'll Learn
New South Wales (NSW)
New South Wales, commonly abbreviated as NSW, is a state on the east coast of Australia. It is one of the six federated states of Australia, which also include Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. NSW occupies both coastal mountains and interior tablelands, and it is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and the states of Victoria to the south, South Australia to the west, and Queensland to the north. The state also includes Lord Howe Island, which is located 360 miles (580 km) east of the Australian continent.
The capital of New South Wales is Sydney, which is also Australia's most populous city. In December 2024, the population of New South Wales was over 8.5 million, making it the country's most populous state. Almost two-thirds of the state's population, 5.3 million, live in the Greater Sydney area. The state is known for its indulgent wine regions, pristine seaside villages, and mountain wilderness, including the Blue Mountains to the west and the Central Coast to the north.
New South Wales was founded as a British penal colony in 1788 by Arthur Phillip, who arrived in Botany Bay with the First Fleet of 11 vessels carrying over a thousand settlers, including 736 convicts. The fleet moved to the more suitable Port Jackson, where Phillip established a settlement at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788. The date later became Australia's national day. Originally, the name "New South Wales" was applied to all territory east of longitude 135° E, and the colony included modern-day Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and parts of New Zealand.
During the 19th century, most of the colony's area was detached to form separate British colonies that eventually became the various states and territories of Australia. The Colony of Western Australia, for example, was never administered as part of New South Wales. The original inhabitants of New South Wales were Aboriginal tribes who arrived in Australia about 40,000 to 60,000 years ago. The expansion of the European colony led to violent conflicts with Aboriginal landowners, such as the Myall Creek massacre of 1838.
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Queensland (QLD)
Queensland has a diverse range of geographical features and climates due to its size. Its tropical and subtropical coastal regions boast white sandy beaches, coral reefs, mountain ranges, rivers, and tropical rainforests. Meanwhile, its semi-arid and desert regions feature deserts and savanna landscapes. The state enjoys a warm and sunny climate, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities and water sports.
The capital of Queensland is Brisbane (or Brissie), which is also the largest city in the state and the third-largest in Australia. Brisbane is home to half of Queensland's population, and the state as a whole accounts for nearly three-quarters of Australia's entire population, along with New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory. Queensland has the highest inter-state net migration in Australia and is a popular destination for internal migration.
Queensland has the third-largest economy among Australian states, with key sectors including mining, agriculture, transportation, international education, insurance, and banking. Tourism is also a significant contributor to the state's economy, with attractions such as the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the Whitsunday Islands.
The history of Queensland dates back to the Aboriginal Australians, who were the first inhabitants of the region. In 1770, James Cook claimed the east coast of Australia for the Kingdom of Great Britain. Queensland was initially a part of the colony of New South Wales founded by Arthur Phillip in 1788. It became a separate self-governing Crown colony in 1859 when Queen Victoria signed the letters patent, establishing Queensland as a separate colony from New South Wales. Queensland became one of the six founding states of Australia when it achieved Federation in 1901.
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South Australia (SA)
South Australia, also known as SA, is a state in the southern central part of Australia. Covering an area of 984,321 square kilometres, it is the fourth-largest state in Australia by area. It is also the fifth-largest state by population, with 1.8 million people as of December 2021. SA is unique among Australian states in that it never received British convicts. It is also known for its thriving arts scene and is often referred to as the 'Festival State', hosting over 500 events and festivals annually. Adelaide, the state capital, is home to various research institutes, including the Royal Institution of Australia, and serves as a great base for exploring the Barossa Valley wineries, the Flinders Ranges, and Kangaroo Island. South Australia shares borders with all other mainland states, including Western Australia to its west and Victoria to its south. The state has a total of 68 councils and 6 Aboriginal and outback communities, with local councils being responsible for a range of services such as roads, waste management, planning, fire prevention, and public health.
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Tasmania (TAS)
Tasmania, also known colloquially as 'Tas' or 'Tassie', is an island state of Australia, located 240 kilometres (150 miles) south of the mainland. It is separated from the mainland by the Bass Strait. The state encompasses the main island of Tasmania, the 26th largest island in the world, as well as the surrounding 1,000 islands. It is Australia's smallest and least populous state, with 573,479 residents as of June 2023. The state capital and largest city is Hobart, with around 40% of the population living in the Greater Hobart area.
Tasmania was originally inhabited by Aboriginal peoples, who today generally identify as Palawa or Pakana. The state was established as a separate colony in 1825, known as Van Diemen's Land. The colony was renamed Tasmania in honour of Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who was the first European to discover the island in 1642.
Tasmania is known for its stunning natural landscapes and vast wilderness, including dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and winding rivers. It offers some of the most breathtaking walks and hikes on the continent. The state also boasts a vibrant food and wine scene, with plenty of cool-climate wines and gourmet cheeses, beers, and whiskies. Tasmania's unique cuisine has won many awards, including the Hartshorn Distillery, which has won prizes in the World Vodka Awards for three years in a row since 2017.
The state is easily accessible from the mainland, with direct flights to the major cities of Hobart and Launceston from Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Visitors can also travel by sea using the car ferry, Spirit of Tasmania, which crosses between Geelong on the mainland and Devonport in Tasmania. Driving is a popular way to get around Tasmania, with incredible road trips like the Great Eastern Drive. Public transport is also available, with bus services, taxis, and ride-sharing services operating in urban areas.
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Victoria (VIC)
Victoria, commonly abbreviated as VIC, is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state in Australia, with a land area of 227,444 square kilometres (87,817 square miles). Victoria is home to over 7 million people, making it the second-most-populated state in the country, after New South Wales. It is also the most densely populated state in Australia, with 30.6 people per square kilometre. The state's capital, Melbourne, is Australia's second-largest city and has been named the "Most Liveable City in the World" multiple times due to its cultural diversity, modern cityscape, and friendly atmosphere.
Melbourne is located at the head of Port Phillip Bay, on the southeastern coast, and is home to about 136,000 people. The metropolitan area of Greater Melbourne is the core of an extensive metropolitan area, with over three-quarters of the culturally diverse population (35.1% of whom are immigrants). Victoria is also home to four of Australia's 20 largest cities: Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo. The state's economy is the second-largest among Australian states and is highly diversified, with service sectors predominating.
Victoria has a varied climate and geography, ranging from temperate coastal and central regions to the Victorian Alps in the northeast and the semi-arid northwest. The northern part of the state experiences much drier and warmer weather than the south. The southwestern coastal region is known as Gippsland, and the Murray River forms the majority of the boundary between Victoria and New South Wales. The state's western and northwestern parts are sandy deserts and lowlands, while the central and eastern parts are highlands that form the southern end of the Australian Alps.
Victoria has a rich history and was home to numerous Aboriginal Australian nations for tens of thousands of years before European settlement. The state was named in honour of Queen Victoria and was separated from New South Wales, becoming a separate Crown colony in 1851. The Victorian gold rush in the 1850s and 1860s significantly increased Victoria's population and wealth, and Melbourne became the largest city in Australasia by the time of Australian Federation in 1901. Melbourne has hosted some of Australia's most prestigious events, including the Australian Open Tennis, the Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia is made up of six states and two territories.
The six Australian states are New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.
The two Australian territories are the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
