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Eastern States


plural noun 1.  (in WA) those states of Australia which are east of the Nullarbor desert, especially South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and sometimes also Queensland.
2.  (in SA) those states of Australia which are east of South Australia, including Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Contributor's comments: When I moved to WA from "the Eastern States" I was quite surprised at the usage. However, unlike the description in the listing, after living in Perth for 9 years I would say that the "Eastern States" doesn't necessarily include SA but it certainly includes VIC, NSW and QLD. Western Australians also refer to "over East" in the same way. "Over East" seems to be seen as one place. For example, someone may say that they went "over East" for their holidays and often they won't be asked to be more specific about their destination.

Contributor's comments: [Perth informant] I understood that South Australians also used this term.

Editor's comments: Can any South Australians confirm this?

Contributor's comments: And if you travel to the 'eastern states', you're said to be 'over east'.

Contributor's comments: I have often heard the term used in Adelaide, and here it refers to states east of SA (Vic, NSW, Qld, ACT). I'm not sure if Tas is included. South Australians would not consider themselves to be Eastern Staters.

Contributor's comments: I grew up in WA and can confirm this everybody of all ages uses term. It means NSW, Vic and Qld (not SA or Tas). And the comment above is correct - people who say they live or are moving "over east" are never asked to be more specific, (except by people from over east!).

Contributor's comments: In Adelaide SA. Eastern States would generally refer to mainland eastern States, but occasionally include Tasmania, depending on the context.

Contributor's comments: In Adelaide 'Eastern States' is VIC NSW and QLD. Tasmania would usually be called Tassie and not regarded as part of the Eastern States. As a South Australian I would be mortally offended if someone from the West referred to me as being an 'Eastern Stater'.

Contributor's comments: Eastern States is used widely in South Australia to refer to the states of the Eastern seaboard. South Australians do not consider themselves Eastern Staters. Tasmania is sometimes included, but rarely so. Queensland is also percieved to be Northern.