Fast Facts

Discovery

'Terra Australis' was the last landmass to be discovered by European explorers. Talk of this mystical land and the riches it held inspired explorers to sail into the unknown. It wasn't until Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770 that the great southern land was officially discovered by Europeans.

Settlement

Overcrowded prisons in England and the American Revolution were key reasons for the shipment of convicts to the "Great Southern Land." The Aboriginal peoples of the Kulin Nation had lived in the Melbourne area for millennia, but European settlement in Melbourne commenced when John Batman founded the city in 1835.

Aboriginal History

For more than 40,000 years, Australia's Aboriginal people have lived and thrived in Australia's unique and challenging natural environment. Australia's rich vegetation and native wildlife helped them establish their presence on the land. Today, it is believed the Aboriginal people are the world's oldest living culture.

States and Territories

Australia is made up of six states and two territories. Each state and territory has its own parliament, flag and floral emblem. Australia became a federated nation after the union of the six colonies on 1 January 1901. Bound by one parliament, one constitution and one flag, Australia celebrated its Centenary of Federation in 2001.

Other Facts

  • Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
  • The kangaroo is unique to Australia and one of our most easily recognised mammals. There are more kangaroos in Australia now than when the country was first settled. Estimates suggest around 40 million.
  • Australia supports at least 25,000 species of plants, while Europe only supports 17,500.
  • The world's longest continuous fence, known as the 'dingo fence', runs through central Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia for 5,531 kilometres. It is 1.8 metres high and is designed to keep sheep safe from Australia's native dog, the dingo.