Leslie Massey
Western Australia is the westernmost state of Australia. 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. The state covers a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), making it the largest state in Australia and the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth. The geographic centre of Western Australia is in the Gascoyne Region, with coordinates 25° 19' 41 South, 122° 17' 54 East.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Directional Location | Westernmost state of Australia |
| Boundaries | Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east |
| Land Area | 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) |
| Population | 2.965 million (June 2024) |
| Population Concentration | Over 90% of the population live in the south-west corner, around 80% live in the state capital Perth |
| Climate | Tropical, desert, and Mediterranean |
| Natural Resources | Sandalwood, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas |
| Economic Contributors | Mining, tourism |
| Self-Government | Granted in 1890 |
| Indigenous Presence | Tens of thousands of years |
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Western Australia's geographic centre
Western Australia is the westernmost state of Australia. 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 occupies roughly one-third of the total area of the continent, covering a land area of 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi). This makes it the largest state in Australia and the second-largest subdivision of any country on Earth.
The capital of Western Australia is Perth, which is also its most populous city, with around 80% of the state's population living there. The geography of Western Australia is diverse, ranging from tropical conditions in the Kimberley region to deserts in the interior, such as the Great Sandy Desert, the Little Sandy Desert, the Gibson Desert, and the Great Victoria Desert. The state also has a Mediterranean climate in its southwest and southern coastal areas.
Now, onto the main topic of Western Australia's geographic centre. Officially, there is no centre of Western Australia, or even Australia as a whole, due to the complex and irregular shape of the land. However, Geoscience Australia, the government body responsible for determining such matters, has identified the Gascoyne Region as the official centroid for Western Australia, with coordinates of 25° 19' 41" South, 122° 17' 54" East. This location is east-southeast of the Glenayle Homestead and northeast of the Glenayle-Carnegie Road.
Historically, during the early pioneering days, explorers and surveyors attempted to define the centre of Australia and its states. One notable figure was Charles Sturt, who, in 1845, championed the idea that the centre ran along the longitude of 133° 23′ 45″, halfway between Steep Point and Cape Byron. John McDouall Stuart, a member of Sturt's party, claimed to have reached the centre of Australia in 1860 at Small Gum Creek, under Mount Stuart. He marked a tree and planted the British flag there.
Over time, several methods have been developed to calculate the centre of Western Australia and the mainland. These methods include using the linear centre, which is the halfway point between the extreme points, and the geodetic median point, which uses a box to shape the extreme points and finds the intersection of diagonal lines from the corners. Trigonometric calculations and the balancing of a metal cut-out of the region with a plumb bob and string have also been employed. These methods have resulted in various coordinates and landmarks being associated with the centre of Western Australia.
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Climate
Western Australia has one of the most diverse climates in Australia. The northern and southern parts of Western Australia have contrasting climates. The north is tropical, with summer rainfall, while the south has a Mediterranean climate. The Kimberley region in the north has an extremely hot monsoonal climate with average annual rainfall ranging from 500 to 1,500 millimetres (20–60 inches). There is also a very long almost rainless season from April to November. The Pilbara climate in the north is also arid and tropical, with high temperatures and low irregular rainfall.
The southern half of Western Australia experiences four distinct seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Summer temperatures in Perth, the state capital, range from 17.5°C to 30°C (63.5°F - 86°F), with a sea breeze in the afternoons providing some relief from the heat. Autumn days are warm and sunny, with temperatures between 13.7°C and 26°C (56.6°F - 78.8°F). Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 19°C (46.4°F - 66.2°F), and occasional storms. Spring days are warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 11.7°C to 23°C (53°F - 73.4°F).
The southwest of Western Australia has a Mediterranean climate, with dry summers and wet winters. This region is known for its wine-making, with major wine-producing regions including Margaret River, The Great Southern, and Swan Valley. The southwest coastal area was originally heavily forested, with large stands of karri, one of the tallest trees in the world. This region is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with many species of waterbirds found in the wetlands.
The Coral Coast, covering approximately 1,270 kilometres of coastline from Cervantes to Exmouth, enjoys a warm climate all year round. The region has a Mediterranean climate in the south and a subtropical climate in the north. The Eastern Wheatbelt region experiences hot, dry summers and mild winters, with average summer temperatures of 34°C and winter temperatures ranging from a maximum of 17°C to a minimum of 5°C.
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Population
Western Australia has a population of 3 million people as of June 2024, making it the fastest-growing jurisdiction in the country. It accounts for 10.9% of Australia's total population of 27.4 million. The majority of the population (over 90%) is concentrated in the southwest corner of the state, particularly in the state capital, Perth, which is home to around 80% of the state's residents.
The history of Western Australia's population can be traced back to its Indigenous peoples, who have been present for tens of thousands of years. The first Europeans to visit the region were Dutch explorers in the 17th century, with Dirk Hartog making landfall in 1616. However, it wasn't until the British claimed Western Australia in 1827 and established the Swan River Colony in 1829 that the population began to grow. By 1832, the British settler population had reached around 1,500, and the colony was renamed Western Australia.
The discovery of gold in the late 19th century, particularly in the 1890s around Kalgoorlie, sparked a significant population influx. This was further bolstered by the development of the state's mining sector, including iron ore, petroleum, and natural gas resources. The late 20th century saw the growth of other industries, such as tourism, which also contributed to the state's population growth.
The population of Western Australia is not evenly distributed, with the majority concentrated in the southwest, including the capital, Perth. The geographic centre of Western Australia is located in the Gascoyne Region, east-southeast of the Glenayle Homestead and northeast of the Glenayle-Carnegie Road. This area is considered sparsely populated compared to the southwest.
The state's population growth has had implications for housing, with the federal government recognizing the need to build more houses to accommodate the increasing number of residents. Overall, Western Australia's population is a significant contributor to the country's growth, and the state continues to attract people from both interstate and overseas.
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Coastline
Western Australia has a coastline of 20,781 km (12,913 mi) including 7,892 km (4,904 mi) of island coastline. It has the longest coastline of any state or territory in Australia, constituting a significant portion of the coastline of Australia. The coastline has a diverse range of features, including beaches, cliffs, and other geological formations. The coastal regions can be divided into the North Coast (Pilbara/Kimberley), Gascoyne Coast, West Coast, and South Coast. The North Coast extends from the Western Australian and Northern Territory border to just west of the mouth of the Ashburton River. The Gascoyne Coast begins at the mouth of the Ashburton River and continues to a point halfway between Kalbarri and Denham. The West Coast starts at Denham and ends at Black Point east of Cape Leeuwin. The South Coast spans from Black Point to the South Australian border.
The Coral Coast Region is a significant tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches and clear blue waters. It is home to a diverse array of Australian wildflowers and wildlife, including the rare Australian sea lion. The region offers opportunities for snorkelling on the largest fringing reef in the world and swimming with whale sharks. The Turquoise Coast, part of the Coral Coast, is known for its stunning beaches and the appearance of dolphins in the shallow waters.
The Western Australian coastline is also recognised for its ecological significance. It boasts the greatest diversity of seagrasses globally, with meadows that are among the largest on Earth. The coastline is further characterised by the presence of limestone ranges and gorges that form the arid Cape Range on the peninsula to the west of Exmouth Gulf.
The coastal areas of Western Australia exhibit a variety of climates. The Kimberley region in the state's north experiences tropical conditions, while the southwest and southern coastal areas enjoy a Mediterranean climate. The combination of low rainfall and high temperatures has influenced the concentration of population and agricultural activities in the more comfortable southwest zone.
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Regions
Western Australia is divided into five land divisions: Eastern Land Division, Eucla Land Division, Kimberley Land Division, North West Land Division, and South West Land Division. These land divisions are further subdivided into 90 land districts, which are again further subdivided into numbered locations and gazette townships.
The Kimberley Plateau region occupies the far northern part of the state, with the Ord and Fitzroy rivers forming the southern and eastern borders of the Kimberley region. The northern part of the state is characterised by a summer rainfall pattern, warm dry offshore winds, and humid tropical onshore airflows in the summer, which bring thunderstorms and occasional cyclones. The Kimberley region is also home to the world's biggest plantations of Indian sandalwood.
To the southwest of the Great Sandy Desert is the arid Pilbara region, which includes the red gorges of the Hamersley Range in Karijini National Park. Mount Meharry, Western Australia's highest point at 4,111 feet (1,253 meters) above sea level, is located in the Hamersley Mountain range.
The Gascoyne Region, located east-southeast of the Glenayle Homestead and northeast of the Glenayle-Carnegie Road, is considered the centre of Western Australia.
The southern and eastern borders of Western Australia are lined by magnificent coastal cliffs, with the Perth Basin separated from the Yilgarn block by the Darling Range. The Yilgarn block, a stable granite-gneiss shield area, rises to about 1,096 meters in the Stirling Range and drops down to the ocean, forming rugged coastlines and white sandy bays.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia is located between latitudes 25° 2' 32.1396'' S and 117° 47' 35.5956'' E.
The geographic centre of Western Australia is in the Gascoyne Region, with coordinates 25° 19' 41" S, 122° 17' 54" E.
Western Australia is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, and the Southern Ocean to the south.
Western Australia shares a border with the Northern Territory to the north-east, and South Australia to the south-east.
Western Australia became a state within Australia's federal structure in 1901.
