With a size of 2,358 square kilometres, The Australian Capital Territory is an ideal destination for travellers who seek culture, history, outdoor adventures, and local food and wine experiences. Situated between Sydney and Melbourne, this fascinating part of Australia has a lot to offer and is waiting to be discovered.
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The capital city of Australia, Canberra is located approximately 300 kilometres away from Sydney. The city was designed by an American architect, Walter Burley Griffin. The city is centred around the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin, which is a great recreational area for Canberra. The surrounding wine regions, national parks, and mountains also make the city an interesting and varied destination to visit. However, there is also a lot to explore on the cultural side.
Canberra has become a green city with many parks, broad streets, and the man-made Lake Burley Griffin, the centre of the CBD. The lake is the perfect setting for walking, cycling, and swimming. Or pack a picnic and enjoy this special part of Australia.
Canberra is home to many national monuments and institutions such as the Parliament Building, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Library - that are worth a visit. If you would like to see where Australian money is made and learn more, you can visit The Royal Australian Mint. This is where all of the coins are made in Australia. Here, you can take a free guided tour!
Take a wander down the ANZAC Parade or in the urban precinct of Braddon, you can find street art and murals. Go shopping at the Old Bus Depot Markets or if you prefer visit the National Zoo and Aquarium. A unique playground can be found at the National Arboretum. And of course, the ultimate place to celebrate Australia Day on the 26 January is in Canberra!
Visit Canberra's most vibrant dining precincts: Central Canberra, South of the Lake, Lake Burley Griffin, The Gold Creek Village, Kingston, and Manuka. Taste regional wine at The Canberra Wine House.
Conquer the One Tree Hill Summit, a nine-kilometre walk that takes approximately three hours. For an iconic view, go on the Mount Ainslie walk, a 4.2 kilometre steep walk, or go kayaking over Lake Burley Griffin.
In Canberra, there is something to celebrate every season. See a million flowers at the Floriade in the spring, indulge in delicious delicacies at The Truffle Festival in the winter. In the autumn, iconic buildings are transformed into works of art and hot air balloons take to the skies during the Enlighten Festival. Are you a car enthusiast? Visit the Summernats, which is held every summer.
In Canberra, you can get up close and personal with five of Australia's most famous animal residents: the koala, wombat, emu, platypus, and the kangaroo. For this, you should pay a visit to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. For nature lovers, a hike on Mount Ainslie, Mount Painter, or Black Mountain is ideal. From here, you can enjoy the picturesque view of the city. Visit Canberra in spring to see the cherry blossoms or in autumn when the city glows a dark, fireplace red.
Just 35 minutes from the city, Canberra has three wine regions with 40 wineries. Enjoy the traditionally thriving drops in the relaxed tranquility of the surrounding area. If you are more of the beer type, you should pay a visit to the BentSpoke Brewing brewery or enjoy the specialty beers in the cosy beer garden at Capital Brewing Co in Fyshwick. A culinary feast is also worthwhile because of the numerous award-winning restaurants.
Ideally located, you don't have to venture far to find something else extraordinary outside of Canberra. Within two hours, you can be relaxing by the ocean in Huskisson, sipping wine in Murrumbateman, or having a 4WD adventure in Brindabella National Park. Whatever you are searching for, a day trip is a great way to explore this unique part of Australia.
South of Canberra, experience Australia's unique winter sports paradise with the highest peak on the continent. Mount Kosciuszko can be found at Kosciuszko National Park, which reaches an astonishing height of 2,228 metres, above sea level.
In the cold season, the Snowy Mountains come alive with skiers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoe hikers. The warm summer months attract climbers, mountain bikers, and mountain enthusiasts to the surrounding Kosciuszko National Park.
Stop into the charming small ski towns of Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, and Mount Selwyn. And be sure to visit the local museums and galleries. Ancient caves and refreshing thermal baths await you in Yarrangobilly. And in the vineyards of Tumbarumba, you can relax with a glass of vino at a tasting. Australia's high country is waiting to be explored.
Uncover the Aussie charm and charisma of Capital Country, a region that is located outside Australia’s capital city, Canberra. Be sure to pop by the nearby, small village of Gundaroo. A beautifully preserved colonial town, located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.
Bursting with history, explorers Charles Throsby and Joseph Wild travelled through this area in 1820. And the discovery of gold came about in 1852. Today, there are approximately 330 residents living here. Immerse yourself in Australian history at the outdoor heritage museum, located on Main Street. Or discover the Gundaroo Heritage River Walk.
Indulge in local wine and food experiences. And be sure to go vineyard hopping! Stop by the markets and say G’day to the locals. Capital Country has all the ingredients to experience true Aussie hospitality.
The area under Sydney up to and including Jervis Bay is famous for its white sandy beaches and azure seawater. Jervis Bay includes several small coastal towns, such as Huskisson, Vicentia, and Jervis Bay Village, where you will find rich marine life. Dolphins play in the bays all year round and it is one of the best places for whale watching.
Inland, you will find kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, and many rare bird species. Are you a water sports enthusiast? This part of the country is sure to keep you satisfied. The water in the bays is calm and perfect for diving, snorkelling, and kayaking. In the Booderee National Park, you can take beautiful forest walks, go cycling and enjoy the views from various viewpoints on the cliffs.
In the coastal towns, you will find several markets with regional products, galleries, and various museums. In addition, there are plenty of good restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy local wines combined with a meal prepared with fresh products.
With over 500 national parks to explore, Australia is truly a natural wonderland. Due to the variety of nature,… read more
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