1897 in Australia
See also: 1896 in Australia, other events of 1897, 1898 in Australia and the Timeline of Australian history.
Incumbents
- Premier of New South Wales - George Reid
- Premier of South Australia - Charles Kingston
- Premier of Queensland - Hugh Nelson
- Premier of Tasmania - Edward Braddon
- Premier of Western Australia - John Forrest
- Premier of Victoria - George Turner
Events
- June 22 - The second Victoria Bridge is opened in Brisbane by the Governor of Queensland, Lord Lamington. The previous bridge was destroyed by floodwaters
- St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne is consecrated
Science & Technology
Arts and literature
- Walter Withers wins the inaugural Wynne Prize for landscape painting or figure sculpture for his landscape The Storm
Sport
- Gaulus wins the Melbourne Cup
- New South Wales wins the Sheffield Shield
Births
- February 10 - Judith Anderson (d. 1992), actress
- July 6 - Frank Walsh (d. 1968), Premier of South Australia
- August 6 - William Slim (d. 1970), Governor General of Australia
- October 5 - Percy Spender (d. 1985), politician and diplomat
Deaths
- July 11 - Patrick Jennings (b. 1831), Premier of New South Wales
- November 20 - Ernest Giles (b. 1835), explorer