CANBERRA
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was established in 1911 to create a capital for the newly federated country of Australia. Some 2330 square kilometres (900 square miles) was set aside, 53 per cent of which today remains nature park or reserve. Surrounding rural areas and stretches of natural bushland are home to charming townships such as Tharwa and Hall, award-winning wineries, and nature parks.
Just 45 minutes drive from the city is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers walking trails, Australian animals in their natural habitat, delightful wildflowers during spring and rich Indigenous and pioneer heritage. Namadgi National Park, also 45 minutes’ drive from the city at the northern end of the Australian Alps, has numerous marked trails, enjoy spectacular wildflowers in spring. The Indigenous rock art and Aboriginal shelters are easily accessible. Camping is possible in with fishing and horse riding permitted in designated areas.
Canberra, the urban centre of the ACT, is a modern city of 320,000 people with stylish restaurants, bars, boutique shopping and a calendar of events and festivals. Canberra - the capital of Australia - is sometimes referred to as the bush capital because pockets of bushland reserve extend almost to the city centre and over half of the Australian Capital Territory, within which Canberra lays, is classified as national park or nature reserve.
Canberra is the city that Federation created. Australia's national government sits here, as does the highest court of Australia. Many of the most important monuments in the country are located in Australia and they're visited by millions of people each year. Some of these attractions include the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia and Canberra's newest attraction, the National Museum of Australia.
Canberra is a young capital - a planned city like many other capitals in the world. American architect Walter Burley Griffin designed the city after winning an international architectural competition in 1912. The spirit of his original design, which celebrates Canberra's natural environment, is still evident as the city grows.
