
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The term eastern states refers to the states and territories located along the eastern coast of the mainland, including 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, despite not being states. These eastern states are home to the majority of Australia's population, including the capital city of Canberra and the country's three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states and territories | 8 |
| Number of federated states | 6 |
| Number of federal territories | 10 |
| Number of internal territories | 3 |
| Number of external territories | 7 |
| Area covered by the eastern states | 2,829,463 km2 |
| Percentage of Australia's total land area covered by the eastern states | 37% |
| Population of the eastern states | 19,484,100 |
| Percentage of Australia's population living in the eastern states | 81% |
| Percentage of Australia's population living in the eastern coastal mainland states | 79% |
| Number of cities in the eastern states with populations over 30,000 | 16 |
| Number of cities in the eastern states with populations over 100,000 in 2021 | 16 |
| Number of cities in the eastern states with populations over 500,000 | 2 |
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What You'll Learn
- The eastern states of Australia are those adjoining the east continental coastline
- The mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
- The island state of Tasmania is also included
- The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are counted, despite not being states
- South Australia is sometimes included due to economic ties with the eastern states

The eastern states of Australia are those adjoining the east continental coastline
Australia has six federated states: Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. The eastern states of Australia are those adjoining the east continental coastline of Australia. These are the mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, and the island state of Tasmania. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory, while not states, are also included. On some occasions, the southern state of South Australia is also included in this grouping due to its economic ties with the eastern states.
The eastern states are defined as those that use Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). They have a humid subtropical climate, with some tropical zones in Queensland and oceanic climates in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and New South Wales. The eastern states are home to Canberra, Australia's capital city, and the three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These cities are the capitals of their respective eastern states.
The eastern states and territories made up 85% of the $24.1 billion spent by international visitors to Australia in 2015. They also received 85% of individual visits to the country that year. The combined population of Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania is 19,484,100, or about 81% of Australia's population. These five states and territories cover 2,829,463 square kilometers, or about 37% of Australia's total land area.
There is only one major railway line linking the eastern states to Western Australia, the Trans-Australian Railway, which opened in 1917. There is also only one major highway connecting the two, the Eyre Highway, which opened in 1942. Various governments have proposed building a high-speed rail network in Australia since the 1980s, but this would only connect the eastern states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, with Adelaide sometimes included in the proposal.
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The mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
The mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, along with the island state of Tasmania, make up the eastern states of Australia. These states are located along the east continental coastline of Australia. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory, while not states, are also included in this grouping.
Victoria is known for its thriving cultural scene, with its capital, Melbourne, having been named the "Most Liveable City in the World" multiple times. The state boasts incredible museums and galleries, as well as the Grampians National Park and the Heritage-listed Great Ocean Road. New South Wales offers a diverse range of experiences, from its indulgent wine regions and pristine seaside villages to its mountain wilderness areas like the Blue Mountains. Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is the nation's biggest city and is known for its iconic landmarks such as Port Jackson. Queensland, also known as the "Sunshine State," is a subtropical stretch of land in the northeast of Australia. It is home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the ancient Daintree Rainforest, and the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Brisbane, the state's capital, is renowned for its winter sunshine and warm climate.
Together, these eastern states account for a significant proportion of Australia's population, economy, and land area. They contain the federal capital, Canberra, and Australia's three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The states also contribute significantly to tourism, with international visitors spending $20.5 billion in the eastern states and territory in 2015, which was 85% of the total expenditure in Australia.
In terms of governance, each of these states has its own constitution, legislature, executive government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies. While they are partially sovereign, they have ceded some sovereign rights to the federal government, allowing for a unified national administration. The states work together to administer and deliver public policies and programs, ensuring a cohesive approach to governing the country.
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The island state of Tasmania is also included
Australia is divided into six federated states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia. The island state of Tasmania is included in the eastern states of Australia, along with the mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are also included, despite not being states.
Tasmania is separated from mainland Australia by the Bass Strait. The state is known for its dazzling beaches, rugged mountains, and winding rivers. Its capital, Hobart, is a cosmopolitan city with a range of regional towns, food and wine trails, and family activities nearby. Tasmania is also home to some of the most breathtaking walks and hikes on the continent due to its stunning landscapes and vast wilderness.
The eastern states of Australia are defined as those adjoining the east continental coastline of the country. They cover a large area of around 2.8 million square kilometres, which is roughly 37% of Australia's total land area. These states are home to the majority of the Australian population, including the country's three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. They also contain Canberra, the capital city of Australia.
In terms of climate, the eastern states are dominated by a humid subtropical zone, with some tropical areas in Queensland and oceanic climates in the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and New South Wales. The eastern states are economically significant, contributing $20.5 billion out of the $24.1 billion spent by international visitors to Australia in 2015.
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The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are counted, despite not being states
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) are counted among the eastern states of Australia, despite not being states themselves. This is because they are located along Australia's eastern coast. The ACT is a federal territory that houses the federal capital Canberra, while the JBT is an internal territory that was established to give the federal government control of a port near the landlocked ACT.
The JBT was formerly a part of New South Wales (NSW) but was transferred to the federal Commonwealth of Australia in 1915. This transfer was made to reduce the practical difficulties presented by the physical separation of the two territories, and the government of NSW agreed in principle that the federal government could build and take full control of a proposed rail corridor between Canberra and Jervis Bay. However, this proposal was never implemented.
The JBT is the only non-self-governing internal territory of Australia. While it is governed by the laws of the ACT, it is not a part of the ACT and its residents are not represented in the ACT Legislative Assembly. Instead, they are represented in the Parliament of Australia as part of the Electoral Division of Fenner, which also includes a portion of the ACT.
The JBT is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Its day-to-day affairs are handled by the Jervis Bay Administration, which manages matters normally handled by state or local government. Australian Federal Police provide policing in the territory.
Despite not being a state, the inclusion of the ACT and JBT in the eastern states grouping is justified by their geographical location along the eastern coastline of Australia and their close association with the eastern states, particularly in terms of economic ties and population distribution.
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South Australia is sometimes included due to economic ties with the eastern states
The eastern states of Australia are generally considered to be the mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, and the island state of Tasmania. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are also included, despite not being states. These eastern states are defined as those that use Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
South Australia is sometimes included in the definition of the eastern states due to its economic ties with the other eastern states. The eastern states, including South Australia, contain 16 of the 19 Australian cities with populations over 100,000 as of 2021. These cities include the capitals of their respective states: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. The eastern states are also home to the federal capital, Canberra.
The eastern states, including South Australia, cover a large area of around 2.8 million square kilometres, which is roughly 37% of Australia's total land area. In 2015, international visitors to the eastern states spent $20.5 billion, or 85% of the total spent in Australia that year. The eastern states also received 85% of individual visits to the country, with 8,588,000 visits out of a possible 10,133,000.
The eastern states, excluding South Australia, have a combined population of 19,484,100, which is around 81% of Australia's population. These states and territories include Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Tasmania. This percentage increases to 79% when including South Australia.
South Australia's inclusion in the definition of the eastern states is therefore due to its economic ties and similar population sizes when compared to the other eastern states. The eastern states of Australia, with or without South Australia, are home to the majority of the country's population and receive the majority of international visitors and spending.
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Frequently asked questions
The eastern states of Australia are a group of states and territories located along Australia's eastern coast. These include the mainland states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland. The island state of Tasmania is also part of this group. Even though they are not states, the Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory are also counted. Sometimes, South Australia is included too.
The eastern states of Australia are not referred to as a single 'Eastern State' because they are composed of multiple individual states and territories, each with its own unique characteristics, governments, and identities.
The eastern states of Australia are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they are home to a large majority of Australia's population, including the capital city of Canberra and the three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Secondly, they contribute significantly to the country's economy, accounting for a large portion of tourism revenue and international visits. Finally, the eastern states offer a diverse range of environments, cultures, and attractions, from cosmopolitan cities to pristine beaches and renowned wine regions.











































