Australia quiz

Australia is home to egg-laying mammals, red-centre landmarks and some of the world's most colourful slang. Have a go at these 20 questions about its states, wildlife, food and history, and see who in your crew knows the most.

A free quiz from Megan Moran, author of The Great Aussie Quiz Book.

Pick an answer to start20 to go
  1. Question 1 of 20Geography

    What is the capital city of Australia?

  2. Question 2 of 20Wildlife

    Which duck-billed Australian mammal lays eggs?

  3. Question 3 of 20Geography

    What is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland?

  4. Question 4 of 20Slang

    In Aussie slang, what is a 'barbie'?

  5. Question 5 of 20Wildlife

    Quokkas are famously found on which island near Perth?

  6. Question 6 of 20Landmarks

    Which Sydney landmark, opened in 1973, has a roof of shell-like 'sails'?

  7. Question 7 of 20Landmarks

    Uluru, the giant sandstone monolith, is in which state or territory?

  8. Question 8 of 20Food

    Vegemite, the famous Aussie spread, is made mainly from what?

  9. Question 9 of 20States

    Which Australian state is an island?

  10. Question 10 of 20Wildlife

    What is a group of kangaroos commonly called?

  11. Question 11 of 20History

    On 1 January of which year did Australia's six colonies unite to form the Commonwealth of Australia?

  12. Question 12 of 20History

    Which ship carried Captain James Cook along Australia's east coast in 1770?

  13. Question 13 of 20Landmarks

    Which natural wonder off the coast of Queensland is the world's largest coral reef system?

  14. Question 14 of 20Geography

    What is the lowest natural point in Australia, about 15 m (49 ft) below sea level?

  15. Question 15 of 20Geography

    Which is Australia's longest river?

  16. Question 16 of 20Food

    The pavlova dessert is named after a famous ballerina from which country?

  17. Question 17 of 20Inventions

    Which aviation safety device was invented by Australian scientist David Warren in the 1950s?

  18. Question 18 of 20Wildlife

    Wombats are famous for producing droppings of what unusual shape?

  19. Question 19 of 20States

    Which is Australia's largest state by area?

  20. Question 20 of 20History

    Australia's Dingo Fence, which stretches about 5,614 km (3,488 miles), was built mainly to protect what?

Answer all 20 to see your score.

Want more? The Great Aussie Quiz Book has over 600 questions like these, ready for your next quiz night.

Show all the answers
  1. What is the capital city of Australia? Canberra
  2. Which duck-billed Australian mammal lays eggs? Platypus
  3. What is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland? Mount Kosciuszko
  4. In Aussie slang, what is a 'barbie'? A barbecue
  5. Quokkas are famously found on which island near Perth? Rottnest Island
  6. Which Sydney landmark, opened in 1973, has a roof of shell-like 'sails'? Sydney Opera House
  7. Uluru, the giant sandstone monolith, is in which state or territory? Northern Territory
  8. Vegemite, the famous Aussie spread, is made mainly from what? Brewer's yeast extract
  9. Which Australian state is an island? Tasmania
  10. What is a group of kangaroos commonly called? A mob
  11. On 1 January of which year did Australia's six colonies unite to form the Commonwealth of Australia? 1901
  12. Which ship carried Captain James Cook along Australia's east coast in 1770? HMS Endeavour
  13. Which natural wonder off the coast of Queensland is the world's largest coral reef system? The Great Barrier Reef
  14. What is the lowest natural point in Australia, about 15 m (49 ft) below sea level? Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre
  15. Which is Australia's longest river? Murray
  16. The pavlova dessert is named after a famous ballerina from which country? Russia
  17. Which aviation safety device was invented by Australian scientist David Warren in the 1950s? The 'black box' flight recorder
  18. Wombats are famous for producing droppings of what unusual shape? Cube-shaped
  19. Which is Australia's largest state by area? Western Australia
  20. Australia's Dingo Fence, which stretches about 5,614 km (3,488 miles), was built mainly to protect what? Sheep flocks