Canberra, the Australian capital, is located in the Australian Capital Territory halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. As both these cities could not reach a decision regarding who would hold the title, the Australian Capital Territory was created. An American architect, Mr Walter Burley Griffin was chosen to plan the city. The first parliament sitting was in 1927.

Canberra is a fantastic base from which to explore the many treasures of the surrounding region. The region offers historic townships, natural wonders, beautiful coastlines and the famous Snowy Mountains.

So allow enough time to linger longer and enjoy all the nation’s capital has to offer.

Click through the menu items to find out more about Canberra and the surrounding region.

 Canberra offers some of Australian’s national Treasures.

All Australians are reflected in their capital, Canberra. The city’s national museums and attractions hold and share the treasures of our nation. Celebrate Australia’s proud sporting achievements, delve into our unique political history, and reflect on our young nation’s experience on the international stage. See our country and people through the eyes of our artists, and experience Australian character through sound and film, books and exhibitions.

Home to 325,000 people, Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities, a city in a park, with golden autumn leaves and glorious spring blooms. Surrounded by native bushland, Canberra is perfect for getting back to nature.

But hidden beneath the leafy surrounds is a thriving modern city with stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids and a busy calendar of events and festivals.

The Old Parliament House was home of the Australian Parliament from 1927 until 1988. Visitors are welcome here and at the New Parliament House where you’ll find one of the four original Magna Cartas. Sittings of the House of Representatives and the Senate are open to the public. Although the majority of these seats are reserved beforehand and on the day of the sitting is only a small number of seats available.

The Australian War Memorial is home to an amazing collection of pictures as well as a fine collection of old aircraft. The National Gallery of Australia houses an excellent collection of traditional Aboriginal art, which is often completed by temporary exhibitions of various indigenous communities. Additionally, you can have a look at paintings, sculptures, photographs, ceramics and furniture from the early decades of the European settlement in the 19th century. The National Library has more than 4.5 million books and displays rare prints, paintings, early manuscripts, maps and special exhibitions.

The Questaton – National Science & Technology Centre is a museum where the visitor can try scientific experiments and obtain additional theoretical explanations from specialists.

For a pleasant change to the outdoors, take a walk through the National Botanical Gardens, rich in Australian flora or a stroll around Lake Burley Griffin, the centre of the city.

On this week in Canberra

Canberra is comprised of five large "town centres" that lie in the valleys of the Canberra region. These are Central Canberra, Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong and Queanbeyan (actually in New South Wales). For tourists, Central Canberra is the only major area of interest, but the presence of the other centres will explain why the size of Canberra's population seems so out of proportion with it's low-built appearance.These other centres are also en route to local wilderness from central Canberra. Canberra is very different from most Australian capital cities. Firstly, it is relatively young (established ~1927) and secondly, it's planned development has excluded the presence of buiildings on any surrounding hilltops, or that are over fifteen stories high. Thus visitor's may be slightly under-awed by Canberra, but don't just turn around. Explore the sites and appreciate the presence of so much wilderness within a city. You will realise that Canberra is a great place to explore, relax, and learn. It's also fun to note that the 'mall' running between the War Memorial and Parliament looks familiar. This is because much of Canberra was designed by a US Architect and the mall in Canberra is reminicent of the mall in Washington DC, specifically the reflecting pool between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

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.

Canberra, the urban centre of the ACT, is a thriving modern city of 325,000 people with stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids and a busy calendar of events and festivals.

The surrounding rural areas and stretches of natural bushland are home to charming rural townships such as Tharwa and Hall, award-winning wineries, and stunning nature parks.

Just 45 minutes drive from the city is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve which offers walking trails, ranger-guided activities, 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, is perfect for a picnic or bushwalk on the numerous marked trails, or to experience native flora and fauna and enjoy spectacular wildflowers in spring. The Indigenous rock art and Aboriginal shelters are easily accessible. Camping is possible in pleasant bushland settings with fishing and horse riding permitted in designated areas.

Basing yourself in Canberra you can explore the surrounding Capital Country region, which offers world-class arts and crafts, historic villages, stunning nature and gourmet delights, no more than an hour and a half’s drive from Canberra.

Don’t miss the Bradman Museum in Bowral, which commemorates Australia’s best cricketer, or Crisp Galleries in Bowning, where works by world-renowned glass artist Peter Crisp are retailed. The magnificent rainforests and valleys of the Fitzroy Falls and Moreton National Park near Moss Vale are well worth a trip, or drive out to the historic town of Braidwood to see beautiful churches, old time pubs, galleries and antique stores and to admire the stunning wood work at the award winning Bungendore Wood Works Gallery.

Climate Table:

Please note, that the following chart shows average temperatures.