List of Australian capital cities

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are eight capital cities in Australia, all of which function at a sub-national level. Canberra also serves as the national capital. Melbourne was the national capital from the Federation of Australia in 1901 until 1927, when the seat of national government was moved to the newly created city of Canberra.

In each capital city, local judicial, administrative and legislative duties are performed for the jurisdiction. In the case of state and territory capital cities, they also happen to be the most populous city in their respective jurisdiction. The Australian external territory of Norfolk Island also has an official capital, Kingston, however, this is just where the administrative centre of government is located.[citation needed]

Jurisdiction Capital Population[1] Image
Australia and
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra 374 766[2]
View of Civic from Mount Ainslie, with Telstra Tower in the background
View of Civic from Mount Ainslie, with Telstra Tower in the background
New South Wales Sydney 4 293 105
View from across Sydney Harbour, with the Sydney Tower and the Sydney Opera House visible
View from across Sydney Harbour, with the Sydney Tower and the Sydney Opera House visible
Victoria Melbourne 3 800 000
Melbourne's CBD straddles the Yarra River
Melbourne's CBD straddles the Yarra River
Queensland Brisbane 1 820 375
Brisbane's CBD, with the Story Bridge in the foreground
Brisbane's CBD, with the Story Bridge in the foreground
Western Australia Perth 1 507 949
Sunrise over Perth, taken from Kings Park
Sunrise over Perth, taken from Kings Park
South Australia Adelaide 1 138 833
View of the Riverside Precinct from Elder Park.
View of the Riverside Precinct from Elder Park.
Tasmania Hobart 205 510
View of the Hobart downtown district and Mount Wellington from Constitution Dock
View of the Hobart downtown district and Mount Wellington from Constitution Dock
Northern Territory Darwin 113 955
Aerial view of Cullen Bay Marina
Aerial view of Cullen Bay Marina

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ 3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2005-06. Australian Bureau of Statistics.
  2. ^ The Statistical District which encompasses Canberra also includes the neighbouring city of Queanbeyan, New South Wales.