Australian fact file

Smallest mainland state

Smallest mainland state

Victoria is geographically the smallest mainland state, it’s bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively. Victoria is Australia's...

Smallest mainland state

Victoria is geographically the smallest mainland state, it’s bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively. Victoria is Australia's...

Oldest Zoo

Oldest Zoo

Melbourne Zoo, modeled on the famous London zoo is Australia's oldest zoo. It was opened on 6 October 1862 at the Royal Park site of 55-acre (22 ha) on land donated...

Oldest Zoo

Melbourne Zoo, modeled on the famous London zoo is Australia's oldest zoo. It was opened on 6 October 1862 at the Royal Park site of 55-acre (22 ha) on land donated...

World’s largest sand island

World’s largest sand island

Fraser Island in WA is the world’s largest sand island—a giant sand mass 123 km long and 25 km at its widest point. It was World Heritage-listed in 1992.

World’s largest sand island

Fraser Island in WA is the world’s largest sand island—a giant sand mass 123 km long and 25 km at its widest point. It was World Heritage-listed in 1992.

Australia’s first bank note

Australia’s first bank note

The colony of NSW printed its (and Australia’s) first bank notes in 1817 and on it featured an assurance from the Bank of New South Wales. The bank wanted to...

Australia’s first bank note

The colony of NSW printed its (and Australia’s) first bank notes in 1817 and on it featured an assurance from the Bank of New South Wales. The bank wanted to...

World’s first prepaid postage system

World’s first prepaid postage system

The world's first prepaid postage system was introduced in Sydney in 1838 using embossed letter sheets and envelopes. Customers could buy them already done or have their own paper embossed. 

World’s first prepaid postage system

The world's first prepaid postage system was introduced in Sydney in 1838 using embossed letter sheets and envelopes. Customers could buy them already done or have their own paper embossed. 

Australia's first post office

Australia's first post office

On 25 April 1809 former convict Isaac Nichols was appointed to take charge of all mail arriving. The post office operated at his home in George Street Sydney NSW.

Australia's first post office

On 25 April 1809 former convict Isaac Nichols was appointed to take charge of all mail arriving. The post office operated at his home in George Street Sydney NSW.