Australia and Its People

Who were the first inhabitants of Australia?

✓ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

In which year did the First Fleet arrive and the first European settlement begin?

✓ 1788

Who led the First Fleet to establish the first European settlement in Australia?

✓ Captain Arthur Phillip

What is celebrated on Australia Day, 26 January?

✓ The arrival of the First Fleet in 1788

What is the capital city of Australia?

✓ Canberra

How many states does Australia have?

✓ Six

Which of these is an Australian state?

✓ Queensland

What are Australia's two mainland territories?

✓ The Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory

What are Australia's national colours?

✓ Green and gold

What is Australia's national flower?

✓ The golden wattle

What is the name of Australia's national anthem?

✓ Advance Australia Fair

What does the Commonwealth Star on the Australian flag represent?

✓ The federation of the states and territories

What is shown in the top left corner of the Australian national flag?

✓ The Union Jack

Which star constellation appears on the Australian national flag?

✓ The Southern Cross

What do the colours of the Aboriginal flag represent?

✓ Black for the people, red for the earth, yellow for the sun

What does the white dancer's headdress (Dhari) on the Torres Strait Islander flag symbolise?

✓ The Torres Strait Islander people

On which date is Anzac Day commemorated each year?

✓ 25 April

What does Anzac Day commemorate?

✓ Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in wars and conflicts

What does 'ANZAC' stand for?

✓ Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

In what year did the six Australian colonies federate to form the Commonwealth of Australia?

✓ 1901

What major event in the 1850s led to large population growth in Australia?

✓ The gold rushes

Australia is often described as which kind of society?

✓ A multicultural society

What is the largest city in Australia by population?

✓ Sydney

What is the capital city of the state of Victoria?

✓ Melbourne

What is the capital city of Queensland?

✓ Brisbane

What is the capital city of Western Australia?

✓ Perth

What is the capital city of South Australia?

✓ Adelaide

What is the capital city of Tasmania?

✓ Hobart

What is the capital city of the Northern Territory?

✓ Darwin

Which navigator was the first to circumnavigate (sail around) Australia and helped popularise its name?

✓ Matthew Flinders

Which Dutch explorer was among the first Europeans to map parts of Australia's coast, giving his name to Tasmania?

✓ Abel Tasman

What is the name of the gemstone that is one of Australia's national symbols?

✓ The opal

Which animals appear on Australia's Coat of Arms?

✓ The kangaroo and the emu

Roughly how many people live in Australia today?

✓ About 26 million

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for at least how long?

✓ Tens of thousands of years

What is the meaning of Australia being a 'Commonwealth'?

✓ The states and territories are united under one federal government

What ocean lies to the west of Australia?

✓ The Indian Ocean

Australia is both a country and what else?

✓ A continent

What is Uluru?

✓ A large sandstone rock formation sacred to Aboriginal people

Which national day commemorates Australians who have served in war and is marked by dawn services?

✓ Anzac Day

What language is the national language of Australia?

✓ English

The 'Dreaming' or 'Dreamtime' is associated with which group?

✓ Aboriginal peoples

What is celebrated about Australia's migration history?

✓ People from many countries have made Australia their home

Torres Strait Islander peoples come from islands located where?

✓ Between the tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea

What does NAIDOC Week celebrate?

✓ The history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

On what date is Remembrance Day observed?

✓ 11 November

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world by what measure?

✓ Land area

Where do most Australians live?

✓ In cities and towns, mainly along the coast

The Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage area, is located off the coast of which state?

✓ Queensland

Which of these is a native Australian animal?

✓ The kangaroo

What was the Eureka Stockade (1854)?

✓ A rebellion by gold miners linked to the growth of democracy

Which colour is NOT one of Australia's national colours?

✓ Blue

Sir Henry Parkes is often called the 'Father of' what?

✓ Federation

What is celebrated on Harmony Day?

✓ Australia's cultural diversity and inclusiveness

Which famous sporting event is known as 'the race that stops a nation'?

✓ The Melbourne Cup

Wattle Day, celebrating the national flower, is held on which date?

✓ 1 September

Which is a well-known symbol of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander reconciliation in Australia?

✓ Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country

What is the Southern Cross commonly used to represent for Australians?

✓ Australia's place in the Southern Hemisphere

Which war event is most closely associated with the origin of Anzac Day?

✓ The Gallipoli landing in 1915

Which body of water separates Tasmania from mainland Australia?

✓ Bass Strait

What is the approximate date of the first known human habitation of Australia by Aboriginal peoples?

✓ At least 50,000 years ago

Which of these is an official flag recognised in Australia?

✓ The Australian Aboriginal flag