Mapping Australia: Year 3 Study Guide
Australia is a big continent made up of six states and several territories. Maps help us describe where places are.
Australia has six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania) and two mainland territories (the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory). Each has a capital city. The nation's capital is Canberra.
Long before European settlement, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples cared for Country, a word that includes land, waters, sky, plants, animals and stories. Their connection to place is thousands of years old and is an important part of Australian geography and history.
States, territories and capitals
| State / territory | Capital city |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Sydney |
| Victoria | Melbourne |
| Queensland | Brisbane |
| South Australia | Adelaide |
| Western Australia | Perth |
| Tasmania | Hobart |
| Northern Territory | Darwin |
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra |
Map skills
Use a map's title, key, compass rose and scale to find your way. North is at the top on most maps. The ocean to the east of Australia is the Pacific Ocean, the ocean to the west and south is the Indian and Southern Ocean. Features such as deserts, mountains and rivers can be shown using colours and symbols from the key.
What does the map show?
What do the colours and symbols mean?
Which way is north?
Estimate how far places are apart.
Places and why people live there
Most Australians live near the coast, in the south-east, because the climate is milder and there is more fresh water. The central desert region has few people because it is dry and hot. Some towns exist because of mining, farming or tourism, such as Uluru visitors, wheat farmers in Western Australia, or fishing communities along the coast.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: Which state is directly south of the Northern Territory? South Australia. Example: Is Sydney or Canberra the capital of Australia? Canberra. A common mistake is to think Sydney or Melbourne is the capital; Canberra was chosen as a compromise between them. Another is to confuse 'state' and 'city'. A state is a region, a city is a place inside it.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. 2. Central Australia is hot and dry, with little fresh water. Most people live where there is water and mild weather. 3. Your map should have a title, a key, a compass rose and labelled places.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Australia has six states and two mainland territories.
- Canberra is the national capital.
- Maps use titles, keys, compass roses and scales.
- Most people live near the coast, where water and milder weather are found.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- Name the capital city of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
- Why do you think few people live in central Australia?
- Draw a simple map of your school with a key and compass rose.
Print graph paper for map drawing →