Year 3 Β· Geography Β· Geographical knowledge and understanding
Australia's neighbours
Learners locate Australia's neighbouring countries in Asia and the Pacific and describe some of their features and connections with Australia.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Locate Australia's nearest neighbouring countries.
- Describe connections between Australia and its neighbours.
Success looks like
- I can find at least five neighbouring countries on a map.
- I can name the country closest to Australia's northern islands.
- I can describe one way Australia is connected to a neighbour.
The big idea
Australia's neighbours are the countries nearest to it. Most of them are island nations.
To the north is Papua New Guinea (PNG). Some islands in the Torres Strait, which belong to Australia, are only a few kilometres from the PNG coast. Torres Strait Islander peoples have long-standing connections with communities across the Strait.
Also to the north and north-west are Indonesia, the world's largest island nation with thousands of islands, and Timor-Leste, one of the world's newer nations (independent since 2002).
To the east and north-east are Pacific Island nations, including the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. New Caledonia, to the east, is a French territory.
To the south-east, across the Tasman Sea, is New Zealand. MΔori are the Indigenous people of New Zealand.
Australia is connected to its neighbours through trade, travel, family and cultural ties, sport, education, and helping each other after natural disasters.
Worked examples
Using compass directions
In which direction is New Zealand from Australia?
- Find Australia on the map.
- Find New Zealand: it is to the right (east) and lower (south).
- Combine the directions: south-east.
Answer: South-east.
Finding the closest neighbour
Which country is closest to Australia's Torres Strait Islands?
- Find the Torres Strait between Cape York and the island of New Guinea.
- The country on the island of New Guinea directly north is Papua New Guinea.
Answer: Papua New Guinea.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
Which country is directly north of the Torres Strait Islands?
Papua New Guinea β Papua New Guinea lies just north of the Torres Strait.
Which country is across the Tasman Sea from Australia?
New Zealand β New Zealand is south-east across the Tasman Sea.
Which neighbour is made up of thousands of islands and is the world's largest island nation?
Indonesia β Indonesia has thousands of islands.
What is a strait?
A narrow stretch of water connecting two larger areas of water β A strait is a narrow waterway, like the Torres Strait.
Which is a Pacific Island nation?
Vanuatu β Vanuatu is in the south-west Pacific.
What is the capital city of New Zealand?
Wellington β Wellington is New Zealand's capital.
What is the capital city of Papua New Guinea? Port ____.
Moresby β Port Moresby is the capital of PNG.
In which compass direction is Papua New Guinea from Australia?
north β PNG is to the north of Australia.
Watch out for
- Children may think New Zealand is part of Australia. It is a separate country.
- Some think Australia is far from all other countries. Papua New Guinea is very close to the Torres Strait Islands.
Tips for parents
- Use an atlas rather than only digital maps so children see the whole region at once.
- If your family has connections to a neighbouring country, share stories, food or music from it.
- Torres Strait Islander peoples are distinct from Aboriginal peoples; resources from Torres Strait Islander organisations are the best source for learning about the Torres Strait.
Go further
- Make a fact file comparing Australia with one neighbour (flag, capital, language, population, climate).
- Cook a simple dish from a neighbouring country.
- Draw a map of the region with a compass rose and label five neighbours.