Canberra Travel Guide

When both Melbourne and Sydney were vying for the position of Australia’s capital, the decision was taken to build a new city in between them and declare this the capital. This city was Canberra, home to over 345,000 people, so smaller than several other Australian cities.

Canberra is relatively new. Built in 1913, it is unusual in that the whole city was carefully planned prior to construction. The large areas of natural vegetation that have been deliberately incorporated mean that the city is known for being leafy and green.  

The city is a good place to find out about some interesting aspects of Australian history. The Aboriginal Embassy is definitely worth a visit while it is still standing. It was intended only a temporary structure and is constantly under the threat of demolition. You can also visit the Australian War Memorial and the National Dinosaur Museum, each providing a look at very different historical periods.

Visit Canberra’s animals at the National Zoo and Aquarium with its large collection of big cats, or slightly further a field you can find Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where you can witness birds and animals in a more natural environment. 

For those who enjoy an active holiday, hiking trails can be found in several parks and reserves, including Namadgi National Park. If you’d rather get the adrenalin pumping, paragliding, sky diving, abseiling, caving, biking and go-karting are all available. 

Find out more about the attractions of Canberra by downloading the detailed free travel guide.