Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and the only one of the top six that is completely surrounded by water. The country has a diverse geography, with thousands of small fringing islands and numerous larger ones. The mainland has a varied coastline, with everything from sandy beaches to unique land formations. The Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's greatest natural wonders, is located off the eastern coast of Australia. With so many miles of coastline, it is interesting to consider which Australian state has the most to offer in terms of coastal borders.
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's coastline
Western Australia has the longest coastline of any state or territory in Australia, measuring between 10,194 km and 12,889 km (20,781 km if we include islands). It accounts for a significant portion of Australia's coastline, which is 35,877 km (59,736 km including islands). The coastline varies from sandy beaches to cliffs and unique land formations, with the Ningaloo Reef, the world's longest fringing reef, and the stromatolites of Shark Bay, the oldest life forms on Earth, being notable features. The coastal regions of Western Australia include the North Coast (Pilbara/Kimberley), the Gascoyne Coast, the West Coast, and the South Coast, each offering diverse landscapes and natural attractions.
The earliest exploration and charting of the Western Australian coastline occurred in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with Dutch explorers like Dirk Hartog making the first European landfall in 1616. The British claimed Western Australia in 1827, and the state's capital, Perth, was established as the capital of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Today, Perth remains the state's population centre, with over 80% of Western Australia's inhabitants living there.
The coastline of Western Australia is not just extensive but also ecologically significant. It boasts the greatest diversity of seagrasses globally, with vast meadows that are among the largest on Earth. The region's temperate southern coastal areas and tropical north provide a range of beach environments, from sandy coastlines to tropical reef ecosystems. The state's economy is closely tied to its coastline, with the fishing industry, pearling, and tourism playing vital roles.
Western Australia's coastal management is coordinated through the WA Coastal and Marine Community Network, which provides a platform for addressing coastal and marine issues. The state also has a dedicated coastal and marine program that builds on the work initiated by Coastwest in 1998. Various frameworks, such as the State Coastal Zone Strategy and the Coastal Planning Policy, guide coastal management and protection in Western Australia.
The Western Australian coastline has a rich geological history, dating back billions of years. The region was once part of Ur, one of the oldest supercontinents on Earth. The earliest direct known life on land, stromatolites, were created by microbes around 3.48 billion years ago and can still be found in Shark Bay today.
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$34.99
Northern Territory's islands
Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world and the only one of the top six that is completely surrounded by water. The mainland and Tasmania are surrounded by thousands of small fringing islands and numerous larger ones. The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction with a shorter mainland coastline than the combined coastline of all its islands.
The Northern Territory shares its borders with Western Australia to the west, South Australia to the south, and Queensland to the east. To the north, the Northern Territory looks out to the Timor Sea, the Arafura Sea, and the Gulf of Carpentaria, including Western New Guinea and various other islands of the Indonesian archipelago.
Tiwi is spoken on Melville Island and Bathurst Island, two of the Tiwi Islands. Australian rules football is widely popular in the Northern Territory, especially with Indigenous Australian communities in Darwin, Alice Springs, and the Tiwi Islands.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority promotes the protection of the marine environment and the safety infrastructure for navigation around the coastline, maintaining national search and maritime rescue services.
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New South Wales' land border
Australia is surrounded by a vast coastline, and the question of which state boasts the longest coastal boundary is an intriguing one. While Western Australia may spring to mind due to its sheer size and isolated position, it is, in fact, not the state with the longest coastline. Surprisingly, the honor of the Australian state with the most coastline goes to Victoria. With a total coastline of approximately 2,607 kilometers, Victoria's coastal boundary includes the mainland and numerous islands, such as Kangaroo Island and the Great Barrier Reef's coastal islands. This unique geography contributes to Victoria's impressive coastal length.
Now, let's talk about the land borders of New South Wales, which play a significant role in defining the state's boundaries and geographical relationships with neighboring states. New South Wales, one of Australia's largest and most populous states, shares its borders with three other states: Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia. These borders have remained relatively stable since their establishment, with only minor adjustments made over time. The state also shares a border with the Australian Capital Territory, a self-governing territory that houses the nation's capital, Canberra.
The border between New South Wales and Queensland is particularly interesting due to its lengthy history and unique characteristics. Known as the 'border rivers', this boundary is defined by several rivers, including the Macintyre, Severn, and Weir Rivers. These rivers create a natural divide between the two states, with the border often running along the thalweg, or the deepest part of the river channel. This border stretches for approximately 840 kilometers, making it one of the longest continuous state borders in Australia.
In contrast, the border between New South Wales and Victoria is marked by a more straightforward, man-made feature: the Murray River. This iconic river is the lifeblood of the region and forms the entire border between the two states. The Murray River rises in the Australian Alps and meanders west for over 2,500 kilometers before emptying into the Indian Ocean. The border between New South Wales and Victoria along the Murray River is approximately 1,075 kilometers long, reinforcing the significant role that rivers have played in shaping the geography and borders of these states.
The border with South Australia is New South Wales' shortest land border. This border is defined by a straight line known as the Cameron Corner, which stretches north-south for approximately 26 kilometers. The Cameron Corner intersects with the border of Queensland, creating a unique tri-state boundary marker. This marker, known as the 'Corner Country', is a remote and sparsely populated region characterized by rugged terrain and the meeting point of three great Australian states.
These land borders of New South Wales not only define the state's geographical boundaries but also play a role in shaping the cultural, economic, and social dynamics between the neighboring states. They serve as important connectors and dividers, influencing everything from trade routes and transportation networks to the unique regional identities that emerge on either side of these borders.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fishing
Australia has a coastline of around 10,685 beaches, along with numerous caves, coves, and unique land formations. The country's sixth-largest landmass is entirely surrounded by water, with the mainland and Tasmania boasting thousands of small fringing islands and numerous larger ones.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a strong relationship with the oceans and inland waterways that form part of their country. Fishing is both a sustenance method and a cultural practice informed by ecological knowledge. For thousands of years, they have used fishing to build a livelihood for themselves, their families, and their communities.
In the Torres Strait, marine management arrangements prioritize Torres Strait Islanders' access to subsistence marine resources. Since 1985, new commercial licenses for fisheries such as trochus, pearl shell, and crayfish have been reserved for traditional inhabitants. This ensures the continued success of coastal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community economies.
Historically, dugout and bark canoes were used for transportation and flotation while spear-fishing. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people primarily use dinghies, along with nets, spears, and fishing lines with metal hooks. Traditional knowledge about the best times and places to fish is also passed down through generations, with tides and weather playing a crucial role in decision-making.
On Murruŋga Island in the Crocodile Islands, fish traps made of twined pandanus palm leaf are still in use. However, modern nylon nets have become the preferred marine technology for most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They utilize the same weaving techniques for both natural fibres and synthetic polymers to craft and repair their nets.
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Cape Byron, Byron Bay
Australia has about 10,685 beaches, with numerous caves, coves, and unique land formations along its shores. The country's coastline is home to a thriving leisure industry, with whale watching being a significant contributor to the local economy.
One such place is Cape Byron, located in Byron Bay, New South Wales. Cape Byron is named after John Byron, a British explorer, by none other than Captain James Cook. The Arakwal Bumberlin name for the headland is 'Walgun', meaning 'the shoulder'.
The Cape Byron Lighthouse, constructed in 1901, is the last of the great 19th-century Victorian era lighthouses. It is situated on Cape Byron Headland, which sits 94 metres above sea level. The lighthouse was built to protect ships passing along the dangerous stretch of the east coast of Australia. The structure is 22 metres tall and offers panoramic views of the ocean. The surrounding headland features spectacular cliff faces and uninterrupted views of Byron's beaches, the rolling hinterland, and the Pacific Ocean.
The Cape Byron walking track takes visitors through the Cape Byron State Conservation Area, a 3.7-kilometre loop that can be started and ended at various points, including Captain Cook Lookout, Palm Valley, Wategos Beach, and the Lighthouse. The Maritime Museum, located in the former Lighthouse Keeper's office, offers a unique historical insight into the region's maritime past. Visitors can also enjoy whale watching, with migrating whales swimming past the Cape annually between June and November.
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Frequently asked questions
Western Australia has the longest mainland coastline, with the westernmost point of the Australian mainland being Steep Point in Shark Bay, WA.
Australia's coastline length depends on the scale of the maps used to make the determination. New technologies will allow for more detailed measurements, increasing the calculated length.
Canada has the longest coastline in the world, with over 202,000 km of coastline bordering three oceans.
The coastline paradox states that a coastline does not have a well-defined length. Measurements behave like a fractal, varying at different scale intervals. Smaller scale intervals result in longer calculated coastlines.
Australia's coastline is home to the leisure and fishing industries, employing many Australians. The Great Barrier Reef, off the eastern coast, is a popular tourist destination and the world's largest coral reef system.
