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Australia’s states and territories · 1 min read

The territories

The Australian Capital Territory is located between Sydney and Melbourne. It is home to the nation’s capital city, Canberra. Several national institutions are located in Canberra, including Parliament House and the High Court of Australia.

The Northern Territory has a tropical environment in the north of the state and dry red desert in the south. Darwin is the capital city. Northern Territory icons include Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon.

Test yourself on this topic

4 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. Darwin is the capital city of which state or territory?

    • The Australian Capital Territory
    • The Northern Territory
    • Western Australia
    • Queensland

    Explanation: Darwin, in the tropical north, is the capital of the Northern Territory.

  2. 2. The Australian Capital Territory is located between which two cities?

    • Brisbane and Sydney
    • Perth and Darwin
    • Sydney and Melbourne
    • Melbourne and Adelaide

    Explanation: The ACT sits between the country's two largest eastern cities, Sydney and Melbourne.

  3. 3. Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon are icons of which part of Australia?

    • South Australia
    • Western Australia
    • The Northern Territory
    • The Australian Capital Territory

    Explanation: These three famous natural landmarks are all found in the Northern Territory.

  4. 4. Which TWO national institutions are located in Canberra?

    • The Melbourne Cricket Ground
    • Parliament House
    • The High Court of Australia
    • The Royal Exhibition Building

    Explanation: Canberra holds national institutions, among them Parliament House and the High Court; the other two are Victorian landmarks.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet