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Quizzes > Geography

Australian state capitals quiz: can you name them all?

Quick, free Australia capitals quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anbarasi NathanUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for Australia States Quiz on a golden yellow background

This quiz helps you learn and recall the Australian state capitals, spot any gaps, and remember the tricky ones. Get quick feedback as you go, then try our Australian states quiz, take on the 50 capitals quiz for the U.S., or switch regions with the India state capital quiz to compare your knowledge.

What is the capital city of New South Wales?
Brisbane
Adelaide
Perth
Sydney
Sydney has been the legislative and economic center of New South Wales since its establishment in 1788, and it remains the most populous city in the state. As the seat of the NSW government, it hosts the state parliament and many key administrative functions. Its iconic landmarks, such as the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, make it widely recognized as the state capital. .
What is the capital city of Victoria?
Canberra
Hobart
Melbourne
Darwin
Melbourne was founded in 1835 and later became the capital of Victoria when the state was separated from New South Wales in 1851. It is known for its cultural scene, Victorian architecture, and sporting events. It remains the second-most populous city in Australia and hosts the state parliament in Spring Street. .
What is the capital city of Queensland?
Hobart
Perth
Canberra
Brisbane
Brisbane became the capital of Queensland when the state separated from New South Wales in 1859. It is located on the Brisbane River and is the third-most populous city in Australia. The city serves as the economic and political center of the state. .
What is the capital city of Western Australia?
Darwin
Adelaide
Perth
Sydney
Perth was founded in 1829 and designated as the capital of Western Australia due to its location on the Swan River. It is Australia's sunniest capital and serves as the main administrative and commercial hub for the state. Today, Perth remains one of the most isolated major cities but is a key gateway for trade with Asia. .
Which city is the capital of South Australia?
Adelaide
Brisbane
Darwin
Hobart
Adelaide was planned as a free colony in 1836 and became the capital of South Australia. Known as the 'City of Churches,' it hosts the state's legislative assembly and is home to major festivals and cultural institutions. The surrounding wine regions have also contributed to its reputation as a cultural hub. .
Which city is the capital of Tasmania?
Melbourne
Sydney
Hobart
Perth
Hobart, established in 1804, is Australia's second-oldest capital after Sydney. Located on the Derwent River, it serves as the administrative center of Tasmania. Its historic district features many preserved Georgian buildings. .
Which city is the capital of the Northern Territory?
Adelaide
Darwin
Canberra
Brisbane
Darwin became the administrative center of the Northern Territory in 1869 and was officially designated its capital in 1911. It has a tropical climate and is closer to Asia than to some Australian capitals. The city was largely rebuilt after Cyclone Tracy in 1974. .
What is the capital city of the Australian Capital Territory?
Hobart
Canberra
Sydney
Melbourne
Canberra was selected in 1908 as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne and officially became the national capital in 1913. It was a planned city designed by Walter Burley Griffin and remains Australia's seat of government. The Parliament House and National Capital Authority are located here. .
Which state capital city sits on the Swan River?
Adelaide
Perth
Sydney
Brisbane
Perth is built along the banks of the Swan River, which flows through the city to the Indian Ocean. The river system defines many of Perth's parks and recreational areas. The city's name is derived from Perth, Scotland, but its distinct geography on the river is a hallmark. .
Which state capital is commonly nicknamed the "City of Churches"?
Perth
Darwin
Adelaide
Hobart
Adelaide earned the nickname 'City of Churches' due to the large number of historic religious buildings established by early settlers. The city's grid layout includes many church spires visible from vantage points. This sobriquet reflects both its architectural heritage and cultural identity. .
Which Australian capital city has the highest elevation above sea level?
Sydney
Hobart
Canberra
Adelaide
Canberra sits at approximately 580 meters above sea level, making it the highest of all Australian capital cities. Hobart is lower at around 17 meters, while Adelaide and Sydney are both coastal and below 100 meters. The city's elevation contributes to its cooler winters compared to other capitals. .
Which state capital is known for hosting the Royal Queensland Show, commonly referred to as the "Ekka"?
Adelaide
Perth
Brisbane
Melbourne
The Ekka is Queensland's largest annual event, held at the Brisbane Showgrounds in the city's Bowen Hills district. It dates back to 1876 and showcases agriculture, arts, and entertainment. Brisbane's role as state capital makes it the center for this iconic festival. .
Which Australian capital city lies closest to the 35th parallel south, sharing a similar latitude with Seville, Spain?
Canberra
Brisbane
Adelaide
Melbourne
Canberra is located at approximately 35.28°S latitude, placing it almost exactly on the 35th parallel south. Adelaide sits slightly north at around 34.92°S, while Melbourne is further south at about 37.81°S. This geographic position gives Canberra a temperate climate similar to Seville, Spain. .
Which Australian capital city does not observe daylight saving time?
Melbourne
Sydney
Darwin
Hobart
Darwin, as the capital of the Northern Territory, does not practice daylight saving time, unlike many southern states. Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney all move their clocks forward during summer months. The Northern Territory's closer proximity to the equator results in less variation in daylight hours. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify State Capitals -

    Accurately name the capital city of each Australian state and territory after completing the australia states quiz.

  2. Recall Iconic Landmarks -

    Match key landmarks to their respective regions to strengthen your knowledge of Australia's famous sites.

  3. Differentiate Regional Features -

    Distinguish states by unique geographic, cultural, and environmental characteristics.

  4. Explore Quirky State Trivia -

    Discover and remember fun facts and unusual tidbits about each Australian state.

  5. Apply Quiz Strategies -

    Use effective recall and elimination techniques to improve your performance on australia trivia quiz questions.

  6. Evaluate Your Progress -

    Assess your geography skills and track improvement through instant feedback and score analysis.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mnemonic Mapping for State Capitals -

    Memorize the eight capitals in order - Sydney (NSW), Melbourne (VIC), Brisbane (QLD), Perth (WA), Adelaide (SA), Hobart (TAS), Darwin (NT), Canberra (ACT) - using the catchy phrase "Some Monkeys Buy Purple Apples, Having Delicious Cakes." Cognitive research from Geoscience Australia shows that silly acronyms improve recall for an australia states quiz. Practice aloud before tackling any australian geography quiz to lock in those names effortlessly.

  2. Landmark-Capital Pairing Technique -

    Associate each capital with its iconic landmark - Sydney Opera House for Sydney, Great Barrier Reef for Brisbane, Uluru for Darwin, etc. - to create vivid mental images. The Australian Institute of Geography notes that spatial associations boost memory in australian states quiz scenarios. Next time you face an australian geography quiz, picture Uluru glowing under Darwin's skyline to nail the answer.

  3. Population & Area Rankings -

    Rank states by population (NSW highest, ACT lowest) and area (WA largest, TAS smallest) to narrow down capital choices. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data suggests students recall capitals faster when linking them to size or population cues in an australia trivia quiz. Use a simple table or flashcard showing "Biggest Area → Perth" and "Smallest Pop → Canberra" for quick review.

  4. Time Zone Connections -

    Capitals fall into three time zones: AWST (Perth), ACST (Adelaide, Darwin), and AEST (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart, Canberra). CSIRO studies reveal that linking temporal patterns with geography strengthens recall in an australian geography quiz. Quiz yourself by mapping each capital to its UTC offset - see who can answer fastest!

  5. Origins of Names & Founding Dates -

    Learn capital name origins - Adelaide honored Queen Adelaide in 1836, Darwin renamed from Palmerston in 1911, Canberra established in 1913 - as detailed on official state government sites. Historical context from the National Museum of Australia can make your recall more vivid during an australian states quiz. Craft a simple timeline so you'll ace any questions on foundation dates and name meanings.

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