The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states and territories. There are six states and two mainland territories.

Let’s have a look at the capitals and main characteristics of each of these states:

• As you probably already know, Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales and is the nation’s largest city. It has become a national centre for innovation and business. Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House are national icons

• Victoria is the smallest of the mainland states and her capital city is Melbourne. Victoria has become a centre for the arts and culture.

• Queensland is the second largest state – with the world famous Great Barrier Reef spectacularly stretched along its eastern coast. Queensland’s capital city is Brisbane and is a favourite holiday destination for tourists worldwide.

• Western Australia is the largest state and is home to many large mining projects. Western Australia’s capital city is Perth and with the mining boom has become a thriving metropolis.

• Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and has many examples of fine colonial architecture. It has been called the City of Churches.

• Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait. Tasmania’s capital city is Hobart and offers amazing forest landscapes and bushwalks.

Australia has two territories:

• The Australian Capital Territory or ACT, is situated between Sydney and Melbourne. It is the site of the nation’s capital city, Canberra and is the seat of the nation’s government within Parliament House. It is also home to important national museums, institutions and the High Court of Australia.

• The Northern Territory has the tropics in the north and red desert soil in the south. Most of its small population live in the capital city, Darwin, and along the main highway between Darwin and Alice Springs. The Northern Territory is home to Uluru or Ayers Rock and what we call the “Red Centre”