Which ocean is east of Australia?
The Pacific Ocean lies to the east of Australia. It is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth, and Australia's east coast cities face onto it.
The Pacific covers about a third of Earth's surface. Off Australia's east coast it includes regional seas such as the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea. Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast all have Pacific beaches.
The warm East Australian Current flows south along the coast, bringing tropical water and marine life. Each year, humpback whales migrate north along the coast in winter to breed in warmer waters and return south in spring.
Pacific neighbours
Australia has close ties with Pacific island nations such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Samoa. Norfolk Island, an Australian external territory, lies in the South Pacific.
The Pacific's name comes from the Latin for peaceful, chosen by explorer Ferdinand Magellan when he crossed calm waters in 1520. Its storms can still be very powerful.
Did You Know?
The Pacific Ocean is larger than all of Earth's land area combined.