States, Territories and Important Days

**Australia's states and territories** The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of **six states and two mainland territories**. **Canberra** is Australia's capital city. | State | Capital | |---|---| | New South Wales (NSW) | Sydney | | Victoria (Vic.) | Melbourne | | Queensland (Qld) | Brisbane | | Western Australia (WA) | Perth | | South Australia (SA) | Adelaide | | Tasmania (Tas.) | Hobart | | Australian Capital Territory (ACT) | Canberra | | Northern Territory (NT) | Darwin | **The states:** • **New South Wales** — first colony; Sydney is the nation's largest city; Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House are national icons • **Victoria** — smallest mainland state; Melbourne; icons include the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the 12 Apostles • **Queensland** — second largest state; Brisbane; home to the **Great Barrier Reef** and the Torres Strait Islands • **Western Australia** — largest state; Perth; icons include the Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River and the Kimberley • **South Australia** — rugged coastline and wine regions; Adelaide; icons include the Barossa Valley and Flinders Ranges • **Tasmania** — smallest state; separated from mainland by Bass Strait; Hobart; icons include Cradle Mountain and Port Arthur **The territories:** • **Australian Capital Territory** — home to the national capital Canberra; Parliament House and the High Court are here • **Northern Territory** — tropical north and red desert south; Darwin; icons include **Uluru**, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon **Important days:** **Australia Day — 26 January** Celebrates the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788. It is the biggest annual public holiday in Australia. On Australia Day, the Prime Minister announces the **Australian of the Year Awards** in Canberra. Special citizenship ceremonies are held. **Anzac Day — 25 April** Named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) which landed at **Gallipoli in Türkiye** during World War I on **25 April 1915**. A solemn day to remember the sacrifice of all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.