The Eastern states of Australia refers to the states adjoining the east coast of Australia. These are the mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory, while not states, are also included. The term usually includes the island state of Tasmania. On some occasions, even the state of South Australia is included in this grouping, when referred to from the west coast.

Other terms which mean the same thing include East Coast Australia, Eastern Coast and Eastern Seaboard.

Regardless of which definition is used, the eastern states include the vast majority — more than 80% — of the Australian population and the three largest cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. In terms of climate, the area is dominated by a humid subtropical zone, with some tropical and oceanic climate zones.

Politicians and newspapers from Western Australia frequently use the term(s) to emphasise the 'them and us' attitude with respect to the Western state's isolation from the rest of the country.

[edit] Cities and major towns

• Cairns
• Townsville
• Sunshine Coast
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Sydney
• Wollongong
• Newcastle
• Canberra
• Melbourne
• Hobart

[edit] See also

• Australian regional rivalries
• Secessionism in Western Australia
• Southern Australia
• Northern Australia

[edit] Further reading

• Doenges, Debra and Andrew Teakle.(2008) Australian journey : east coast Sydney : New Holland Publishers Australia. ISBN 9781741106282

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