Updated on March 4, 2026
How big is Australia?
- The land area of Australia is 7,682,300 km², accounting for only 5% of the world’s land area of 149,450,000 km².
- Over 85 per cent of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast. It’s not surprising, then, that beaches are an integral part of Australian life, with the East Coast being one of the most popular areas. Australia is the planet’s sixth-largest country after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil.
The drive around Australia is epic; it is a long way with huge distances between major cities. That said, it is a drive that will reward travellers with such a variety of landscapes and experiences.
Of course, size is not the primary criterion for being a fantastic place to visit, so many of our neighbours in the South Pacific offer life-changing experiences and unique destinations that beg to be explored.
Australia Vs U.S.A. in Size
| Kilometres Sq. | Miles Sq. | Population 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 7,682,300 km sq | 2,966,152 miles sq | 24.16 million |
| U.S.A. | 9,147,593 km sq | 3,531,905 miles sq | 323.1 million |
Countries by size – Compared to Australia
We have compared Australia’s landmass with that of other continents. A map of Australia is overlaid to illustrate the size differences.
How Big is the United States compared to Australia?
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ U.S.A: 9,147,593 km sq / 3,531,905 miles sq
Excluding Alaska and Hawaii, the two countries are roughly the same size with some similarities, including desert regions and mountains. Each country is unique with its own spectacular natural attractions.
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~ U.S.A. – 323.1 million
Australia – Size Compared to Canada
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ Canada: 9,093,507 km sq / 3,511,022 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~ Canada – 36.29 million
How Big is Australia Compared to Europe & the UK?
Australia – Compared to Central America
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ Central America 507,966 km sq /196,127 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~ Central America – 52.7 million
Australia – Landmass Compared to China
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ China: 9,596,960 km sq / 3,705,410 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million~ China – 1.379 billion
Australia – Size Compared to Asia
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ Asia 44, 579,000 km sq /17,212,000 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~ Asia – 4.98 billion
Australia – Compared to India
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ India 3,287,263 kilometres sq /1,269,219 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~India – 1.324 billion
Australia – Compared to South America in landmass
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ South America: 17,840,000 sq / 6,890,000 miles sq
Population (2025): Australia – 26.77 million ~ South America – 422.5 million
Australia – Compared to Africa Landmass
Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq ~ Africa: 30,065,000 km sq / 11,608,000 miles sq
Population (20125): Australia – 26.77 million ~ Africa – 1.216 billion
How Big is Australia compared to New Zealand?
Well, it would seem a bit mean to compare Oz to New Zealand in size, as our neighbours can boast the most incredible scenery and attractions that rival anywhere else in the world.
Read this great article on planning a trip to New Zealand to see for yourselves…
How Big is Tasmania?
Tasmania: 68,401 km sq / 26,4100 miles sq ~ Mainland Australia: 7,682,300 km sq /2,966,152 miles sq
Population (2025): Tasmania – 530,980
Tasmania is the beautiful island state south of mainland Australia; from Melbourne, it is an overnight boat journey or just over 1-hour flight. It might be tiny compared to the rest of Australia, but Tasmania has natural attractions to rival those of any other part of Australia.
To travel around Tasmania and enjoy its scenery, history, and towns, it would be ideal to have at least 4 weeks!
Is Australia a Continent?
Yes. Australia is a continent, an island, and a country. It is the smallest of the seven continents and is one of the largest countries by area.
The continents from largest to smallest: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia. There can be conflicting opinions on the definition of continents; decide for yourselves.
It is a huge continent with so much to see and experience. A road trip around Australia is an adventure that thousands of travellers do every year.
Where is the World’s Longest Fence?
Australians like to build big things for a big country… We can lay claim to the World’s Longest Fence, actually, we have two rather long fences:
- The Dingo Fence
The 5,614 km (3,488 miles) long, also referred to as the Dog Fence, was built during the 1880s and completed in 1885 to keep dingoes out and protect sheep in southern Queensland.
- The Rabbit-Proof Fence
Located in Western Australia, 3,253 km (2,021 mi) from the fence’s completion in 1907. The rabbit-proof fence was built to protect crops and pasture lands from being destroyed by the humble rabbit. Brought to Victoria in the 1850s, rabbits quickly spread across the country.
Pin for later…
Australia holds the record for two of its states being the second and third largest in the world. Western Australia at 2.5 million square kms and Queensland at 1.8 million square kms. The largest state in the US is Alaska at 1.7 million square kms. Australia is far bigger than most people realise. If you disregard Alaska and Hawaii then Australia is bigger than the continental USA.
You have to keep you’re mind on the road in Oz or you can fall asleep.
Quite true!
Very interesting perspective, very cool. I don’t know why Australia gives the impression that it is smaller than it is, maybe it is it’s shape that gives it an optical illusion or something 🙂
Frank (bbqboy)
Might be the smaller population too, Frank. It’s a jolly good size, but then it does not have the network of roads that so many other countries have. When are you two coming to visit… winter in Melbourne is quieter than the northern hemisphere in summer!
Such a great way to graphically show the comparison in sizes!
It is indeed, mind you, smaller countries involve so much more at times. I think of the UK and, even though it is not a massive country, it takes forever to see the country as it is so packed full of incredible history. I love the open roads of Australia…
Ha ha…yes, you all do have a big country to travel in! Love it… about to embark on a road trip around Oz next month!! Thanks for the size info!