Lexi Webster
Australia's population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland to the north-east and Adelaide to the south-west. The eastern states of Australia include the federal capital Canberra and the country's three largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Sydney had the largest combined area in the high and very high-density classes (194 km²), followed by Melbourne (69 km²) and Brisbane (24 km²). The eastern states and territories collected 8,588,000 (85%) individual visits to a state in 2015, out of a possible 10,133,000. The main reason for the concentration of population in the east is that the Australian landmass can support it. Most of the continent from South Australia and further west/north is desert. Sydney and Melbourne have natural bays to protect ships, and there is more freshwater in the east than in the west, north, or center.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 3.4 persons per square kilometre |
| Population concentration | Coastal fringes, with 95% living within 100 km of the coast |
| Most populated cities | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide |
| Immigration | Significant waves from Europe, China, and Germany |
| Ancestry | 57.2% European, 33.8% Oceanian, 17.4% Asian, 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern |
| Indigenous population | 3.2% - 3.8% (Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders) |
| Climate | Wide variety, including deserts and tropical rainforests |
| Geography | Flat, arid, and stable with no active volcanoes or tectonic faults |
| States with most population | Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania |
| Historical reasons | Easier ship route from England, better farming conditions, natural bays for ships |
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What You'll Learn
- The east coast has more inhabitable land, freshwater, and natural bays to protect ships
- The British colonisation of Tasmania and the east coast led to settlement
- Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the three largest cities on the east coast
- The east coast has a humid subtropical climate
- The majority of Indigenous Australians live on the east coast
The east coast has more inhabitable land, freshwater, and natural bays to protect ships
Australia's population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the southeast region between southeast Queensland and Adelaide. The east coast cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide have more than a million inhabitants each. The southeast coast has a population density of 38 inhabitants per square kilometre in central Melbourne.
There are several reasons for this concentration of population on the east coast. Firstly, the east coast has more inhabitable land. Most of the continent from South Australia and further west and north is desert. The southeast coast, on the other hand, has a climate similar to that of Great Britain, which was more comfortable for British settlers. The first states to be settled were New South Wales and Tasmania, as they were good for farming and sending convicts.
Secondly, the east coast has more freshwater than the west, north, or centre of the country. Finally, cities like Sydney and Melbourne on the east coast have natural bays that can protect ships. The British first reached the east coast around Botany Bay and Tasmania, which led to their eventual colonisation of the entire continent. The southeast region was also the landfall for ships coming from England via the Atlantic and the Pacific.
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The British colonisation of Tasmania and the east coast led to settlement
The British established military outposts along the River Derwent in southern Tasmania and on the Tamar River in the north to prevent French interests in the area. These outposts grew into small communities as new settlers and convicts arrived from Great Britain. The communities around Hobart and Launceston became the largest settlements on the island, and railways were built to connect the towns. The British also ceded rural land owned by the Crown to British colonists, with about 6,000 settlers receiving land along rivers on the Eastern Midland Plain.
The colonisation of Tasmania led to the development of agriculture and other industries. By 1820, British authorities controlled around 15% of Tasmania, and colonists began exporting grain to Britain and rearing cattle and sheep for local consumption and export. Tasmania became one of the "most British" colonies of the Empire, with strong trade links and few external threats. The colony experienced economic growth and became a world centre of shipbuilding.
The British colonisation of the east coast of Australia also played a significant role in the settlement of the country. The first states to be settled were New South Wales and Tasmania, as they were suitable for farming and sending convicts. The east coast offered more inhabitable land, natural bays to protect ships, and an abundance of freshwater compared to other regions. Additionally, the southeast coast had a climate similar to that of Great Britain, making it a more favourable location for British settlers.
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Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the three largest cities on the east coast
Australia has a low population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. However, the population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the southeast region between southeast Queensland and Adelaide. This is reflected in the fact that the majority of Australia's population lives near coastlines, with about 95% of the population residing within 100 km of the coast.
Melbourne, the second-largest city, is the capital of the State of Victoria. The conurbation known as Greater Melbourne has a population of 5,207,145, and the city has seen a significant population growth of 24% between 2011 and 2023. Melbourne is often regarded as the 'cultural capital of Australia' and is known for its vibrant arts scene and cultural diversity. It is the birthplace of national cinema and has been listed as one of the world's most liveable cities.
Brisbane, the third-largest city, is the capital of Queensland and is located on the Brisbane River, which flows through the city into the ocean. The Greater Brisbane area had a population of 2,706,966 in 2023, representing a 26% growth compared to 2011. Brisbane boasts cultural centres of international importance, such as the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
The concentration of population and growth in these three cities can be attributed to various factors. Historically, the British first reached the east coast around Botany Bay and Tasmania, leading to the colonisation of the continent. The southeast coast also has a climate similar to that of Great Britain, which may have been a factor in settlement decisions. Additionally, cities like Sydney and Melbourne offered natural bays to protect ships and had more freshwater sources than other regions.
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The east coast has a humid subtropical climate
Australia's population is largely concentrated on the eastern coast, with a significant portion inhabiting the southeast region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. This concentration is due to various factors, including the favourable climate, proximity to the coast, and historical colonial influences.
The east coast of Australia, particularly New South Wales and Queensland, experiences a humid subtropical climate. This climate is characterised by hot summers and cool winters, with distinct seasonal variations. The subtropical climate zone stretches along the eastern coast, starting from Mackay in Queensland and extending down to just south of Sydney. From Newcastle, the zone expands inland, covering parts of New South Wales and excluding the highland regions.
The humid subtropical climate on the east coast brings substantial rainfall, with annual rainfall reaching up to 2,000 millimetres in coastal locations. This rainfall is influenced by the formation of east coast lows to the north of high-pressure systems. The climate in this region is also characterised by warm ocean waters, which contribute to moderate temperatures and provide moisture for rainfall.
The temperate climate of the southeast, including the coastal areas, offers a balance between hot summers and cool winters, making it comparable to the climate of southern England. This similarity in climate may have been a factor in the historical attraction of settlers from England and Ireland to the southeast coast of Australia during colonial times.
The east coast, particularly cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, became hubs for population concentration due to their natural bays, which provided protection for ships. Additionally, the availability of freshwater in this region made it more conducive for settlement compared to other parts of the country.
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The majority of Indigenous Australians live on the east coast
Australia has a population density of 3.4 persons per square kilometre, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries globally. The population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland and Adelaide. About 95% of the population lives within 100 km of the coast, compared to the world average of 39%.
The Indigenous population prior to European settlement was estimated to be between 318,000 and 1,000,000, with the majority living in the south-east, centred along the Murray River. The distribution was similar to that of the current Australian population.
In 2021, the Indigenous population of Australia was estimated to be around 3.8% of the total population. The Northern Territory had the highest proportion of Indigenous residents, with about 31% of the territory's population identifying as Indigenous. Queensland had the second-highest proportion, with 28% of the state's population identifying as Indigenous. The majority (34.5%) of Indigenous people live in New South Wales, followed by Queensland (27.8%) and Western Australia (12.2%).
The Indigenous population has a relatively young age structure, with larger proportions of people aged 29 and under compared to the non-Indigenous population. As of 2021, an estimated one-third (34%) of the Indigenous population was under 15, compared to 17% of the non-Indigenous population in the same age group. The median age of Indigenous people has increased over the years, reaching 24 in 2021.
The proportion of Indigenous people has increased with each Census since 2001, rising from 2.4% in 2001 to 3.8% in 2021. This increase is attributed to factors such as changing identification in the Census, higher fertility rates of Indigenous women, migration, and an increase in the number of children of mixed marriages identifying as Indigenous.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population is heavily concentrated on the east coast, particularly in the south-eastern region between South East Queensland to the north-east and Adelaide to the south-west. The majority of the population lives near coastlines, with about 95% of the population living within 100 km of the coast. The east coast has a lot more inhabitable land, more freshwater, and natural bays to protect ships. It also has a more temperate climate compared to other parts of Australia.
The east coast states of Australia include Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, as well as the island state of Tasmania. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are also included, and sometimes South Australia is as well due to its economic ties with the eastern states. The federal capital, Canberra, is located on the east coast, as are the three largest cities in Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
The combined population of Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania is 19,484,100, which is about 81% of Australia's population.
