Before Canberra, which city was the capital of Australia?

Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria and the second-most populous city in Australia and Oceania. The name "Melbourne" covers an urban agglomeration spanning 9,992.5 km2 (3,858.1 sq mi), which comprises the broader metropolitan area, as well as being the common name for its city centre. It has a population of 4,725,316 as of 2016, and its inhabitants are called Melburnians.

At the time of Australia's federation on 1 January 1901, Melbourne became the seat of government of the federation. The first federal parliament was convened on 9 May 1901 in the Royal Exhibition Building, subsequently moving to the Victorian Parliament House where it was located until 1927, when it was moved to Canberra. The Governor-General of Australia resided at Government House in Melbourne until 1930 and many major national institutions remained in Melbourne well into the twentieth century.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

16 Comments

Gary Chadwick

It was not the capital of Aus but the seat of Govt. till the location of the Capital was decided upon. As it was the seat of Govt the capital had to be within a certain distance fram Sydney.

Helga U. Williams

I would love to visit Australia. A young country like America with so many fascinating landscapes! 👍 👍

Vaughan Smith

As a Mackay resident, I'm humbly proud of us being included as a possible answer. We are not even a State capital. Pop something like 110,000. Melbourne is home to around a fifth of the population of the entire country.

Chris Braid

Incorrect answer! Australia has only ever had one capital city: Canberra!

rod rayward

Melbourne hosted parliament it was NEVER the capital.

Peter Robertson

earlepg, Never say never.It's an easy country to visit if you stay on the road????

Jas Newman

Jim Wray, Maybe in the world.

earlepg

I wonder how many would have gone for Sydney if it were offered as an option.

earlepg

Helga U. Williams, I've wanted to visit Australia ever since having a pen-pal, in Perth, in 1957. Alas, 'tis too late now.

Colin McPherson

Not so much the capital of Australia as the place where the Federal Parliament sat- or operated- until a Capital could be determined and built.

Richard G Schwartz

I think this is a repeat question.

Leapy Lee

Jim Wray, unless you have lived in other Australian cities it is hard to make a fair comparison of them. Perth is lovely, but quite different and not for everyone. As a Melburnian I could not live without our theatres, world class restaurants, world class sport and culture which is why we will be have the largest population of any Australian city eventually.