New South Wales Facts For Kids: History, Population And Much More

Shubhra Shukla
Mar 05, 2023 By Shubhra Shukla
Originally Published on Feb 18, 2022
Edited by Luca Demetriou
Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit
Panorama of Sydney harbour and bridge in Sydney city

Are you planning a trip to Australia?

Australia is one of the most pleasing tourist destinations in the world. It's a very beautiful and serene country that has a lot of things to offer.

It is a great country for people of all ages and is a place where you can enjoy doing just about anything. Most people are aware of the beautiful beaches, the rainforests, the unique bushland, and the stunning snowy mountains in Australia.

Despite all this, Australia manages to hold a few secrets that are relatively unknown compared to the rest of the world.

One of them is the Australian state called New South Wales.

This blog will tell you about some of those little-known New South Wales facts that are very interesting and you may find these fascinating.

Location Of New South Wales

New South Wales is one of the top holiday destinations in Australia. Home to the sea, mountains, and large urban cities, this place has it all as a package. Read more about its location here.

  • The area of New South Wales is 309325.74 sq mi (801,150 sq km).
  • New South Wales is Australia's fifth-largest state.
  • Newly risen, how brightly you shine- is the New South Wales slogan.
  • The population of this state is almost 8.18 million, most of which live in the Greater Sydney area.
  • Western New South Wales connects with Queensland border to the north coast, Victorian border to the south coast, and the Coral and Tasman Sea to the east.
  • It is Australia's most populous state, with residents, and the world's 12th-most populous country subdivision in total.
  • The state of New South Wales is located in the southeastern part of Australia.
  • The area of the state is very vast and the main cities of the state are Sydney and Newcastle.
  • The state is one of the most visited Australian states.
  • The most important part of the state is the pristine coastal areas.
  • The coastline of the state is very beautiful and the coastal cities are very vibrant.
  • The state capital is Sydney, which is also Australia's most populous and famous city.
  • People who live in this state are called New south Welshmen.
  • The state border is the longest in of all Australia measuring a lengthy 2880 mi (4,635 km).
  • A record lowest temperature of -9.4 F (-23 C) was registered in 1994 in Charlotte Pass, NSW.

History Of New South Wales

Australia is nicknamed the 'Lucky Country' due to the abundance of mineral wealth that it has, as well as the wealth of natural beauty. More amazing New South Wales history facts for you.

  • The name of the state is from the New South Wales colony, which was named in honor of the British Secretary of State for the Home.
  • The New South Wales settlement was founded as a penal colony in the year 1788.
  • Its western limit was set at the 129th meridian east in 1825 when it included more than half of Australian mainland.
  • This colony also included New Zealand's island holdings, Van Diemen's Land, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island.
  • Most of the colony's area was separated to form British settlement that ultimately became New Zealand and states and territories of Australia.
  • The Swan River Colony was never allocated as part of New South Wales.
  • Lord Howe Island is still a territory belonging to New South Wales.
  • Norfolk Island has been made into a federal territory, with areas known as the Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory.
  • According to the bones discovered at Mungo Lake, Indigenous Australians lived in the New South Wales area roughly 40,000 years ago.
  • In 1770, an English navigator named James Cook was the first European to survey the coast and name it New South Wales.
  • In 1788, the First Fleet of British prisoners followed him to Sydney, where they established a penal colony.
  • The colony developed an autonomous Parliamentary democracy in the 1840s.
  • Following a referendum to Federate with the other British colonies of Australia, it became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.
  • Increasingly diverse migrants from different nations made this state their destination in the 20th century.
  • In the 21st century, the state is known as Australia's most populated, with Sydney, its capital, serving as a major financial center and host to worldwide cultural and commercial events.
  • The NSW economy was valued at $557.9 billion in 2016–17, designating 33% of Australia's total GDP.
  • The flag of this state also referred to sometimes as defaced Blue Ensign is made of a dark blue background holding the Union Jack in the canton and, at one corner, a white circle with a red cross, four yellow stars, and a yellow Lion.

Famous Tourist Spots In New South Wales

NSW has different nature parks which are also famous for their flora and fauna. Everyone can find something to do in this beautiful place. Find out all about the best tourist spots in New South Wales.

  • Start with the capital city- Sydney. The Sydney Opera House, which opened to the public in 1973 and is located at Bennelong Point, is one of the most famous attractions in the city.
  • The Sydney Opera house is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the National Heritage List.
  • The Opera House was designed by Jorn Utzon, a Danish architect, with white rooves that represent the sails of a ship entering the harbor.
  • It needed $102 million to construct and took decades to design and construct.
  • Another destination, right behind the Opera house is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which connects north to south Australia.
  • The bridge, which was officially opened in March 1932, now has eight lanes of traffic and two rail lines crossing it.
  • It has been found that temperature can affect the arch of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Depending on the temperature, it can either rise or fall up to 7 in (18 cm).
  • Another UNESCO World Heritage Area is the Blue Mountains.
  • Offering breathtaking views, stunning walking trails, and amazing botanical and cultural treasures this place is worth a visit.
  • The Three Sisters, a spectacular landmark, is also nearby. It is made of large pillars of stone with a height of 3024.9 ft (922 m), 3044.62 ft (928 m), and 2972.44 ft (906 m), with an Aboriginal dreaming story behind it.
  • Hugh Jackman, Rebel Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Toni Collette are famous international actors who were born in New South Wales.
  • The North Coast of this state encloses the gorgeous coastline starting from the Hawkesbury River just north of Sydney to the northern border town of Tweed Heads, also known as the gateway to the world-famous Gold Coast of Queensland.

Australia is a very beautiful country, full of natural loveliness. The landscapes in Australia are just out of this world. It is a country that is perfect for travelers, with so many things to do and see.

We hope that you have enjoyed this blog on some of the best things to do in NSW. This is just a small sample of the sights that NSW has to offer, and we hope that you will have a chance to visit this beautiful state!

If you ever make your way to NSW, we would love to hear how your trip was!

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Written by Shubhra Shukla

Bachelor of Technology specializing in Computer Science

Shubhra Shukla picture

Shubhra ShuklaBachelor of Technology specializing in Computer Science

With experience in digital marketing, social media strategy, and creative copywriting, Shubhra is a skilled writer and editor at Kidadl. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering from Gujarat Technological University/Narnarayan Shastri Institute of Technology (N.S.I.T) and believes in the power of words to influence people. When not working, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.

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Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Nishtha Dixit picture

Nishtha DixitBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Nishtha is an experienced SEO writer and editor, with a passion for writing and self-expression. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate major in Literature and Communication and a minor in Political Science from the University of Delhi. Nishtha has completed a certificate master course in English from the British Council and has been appointed as the editor for the bi-monthly magazine of the University of Delhi.

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