Become AuggieStudy / Part 1: Australia and its people
Getting to know the states and territories
- NSW was the first British colony; Sydney is the biggest city
- Western Australia is the largest state, then Queensland
- Tasmania is the smallest state; Victoria is the smallest mainland state
- The Great Barrier Reef is off Queensland's east coast
- Bass Strait lies between Tasmania and the mainland
- Parliament House and the High Court are in Canberra
- NT icons: Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon
- Victoria icons: the MCG, 12 Apostles and Royal Exhibition Building
| State or territory | Notable for | Notable places |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | First British colony; Sydney is the largest city | Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House |
| Victoria | Smallest mainland state | Melbourne Cricket Ground, 12 Apostles, Royal Exhibition Building |
| Queensland | Second-largest state | Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait Islands |
| Western Australia | Largest state | Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River, the Kimberley |
| South Australia | Rugged coast and wine regions | Barossa Valley, Flinders Ranges |
| Tasmania | Smallest state, across Bass Strait | Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Bay of Fires |
| Australian Capital Territory | Home of Canberra | Parliament House, High Court of Australia |
| Northern Territory | Tropical north, red desert south | Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon |
Key facts
- New South Wales: first British colony; Sydney is the largest city.
- Largest state: Western Australia. Second largest: Queensland.
- Smallest state: Tasmania. Smallest mainland state: Victoria.
- Great Barrier Reef: along Queensland's east coast.
- Bass Strait separates Tasmania from the mainland.
- Parliament House and the High Court are in Canberra.
- Northern Territory icons: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon.
- Victorian icons: Melbourne Cricket Ground, 12 Apostles, Royal Exhibition Building.