Canberra

Canberra is located at the top end of the ACT, in Australia’s south-east. The only entirely-planned city in Australia, Canberra was built in 1913 as the national’s capital when nearby rivals Melbourne and Sydney couldn’t agree on which of them should get the top position.

American architect Walter Burley Griffin won the plum job of designing the new city following an international contest in 1912. His design, based on geometrical shapes, sought to celebrate the natural environment of the area – this spirit is still very much alive in the city today.

Flanked by mountains and covered in greenery, Canberra’s tribute to nature is capped off by Lake Burley-Griffin – a sparkling showpiece that winds through the centre of the capital.

As the home of Parliament House, Canberra is Australia’s political hub, and houses many of the country’s national treasures including the National Museum, the National Gallery, the War Memorial and National Library.

But it’s not all politics in town. Canberra boasts a busy calendar of events, festivals and exhibitions, as well as a vibrant night life. Locally-grown food and wine benefit from the Canberra climate, and the city’s restaurants and wine bars benefit from locally-grown food and wine.

The people of Canberra are an active bunch - they have to be to burn off all that local produce. Head outdoors and you’re likely to find many a Canberran (and the occasional Prime Minister) on the bike paths and walking trails that meander through the city’s many parks and reserves.