The Australian Capital Territory, containing the National Capital of Canberra, is located in the south eastern corner of New South Wales. It is the only state or territory in Australia that does not have a coastline. It lies approximately half way between Sydney and Melbourne. This location was selected in 1908, as it was diplomatically located between arch rivals Sydney and Melbourne, who both wanted to be the capital city of Australia. To satisfy both parties the decided to create another territory half way between each city and declare it the capital of Australia.

The American architect Walter Burley Griffin won an international competition to design the capital city and in 1913 the name Canberra was chosen, as it is aboriginal for ‘Meeting Place’ and this was to be the home of the Australian Parliament where all politicians would meet. Development in the ACT was slow in the early years until around 1927, when parliament was first convened here. The Depression then practically halted development until after WWII. Since then the population in Canberra has grown from 50,000 in 1960 to 100,000 by 1967 and is estimated around 308,000 today.

The capital city of Canberra is a great place to visit if your time in Australia permits. The most notable thing about the city is how green everything looks and the vast space around the city. It is in Canberra where you will find some of the best modern architecture and exhibitions, for example the New Parliament House and the National Library are great displays of architecture. The city is a place of government and home to many politicians with only a few local industries so it gives a great sense of Australia’s political nature. The surrounding areas of the ACT are quite beautiful with rolling hills and sweeping green plains and the hold some great bushwalking tracks and the region is close to Australia’s skiing country.

Canberra is home to many national centres and monuments such as the exciting National Gallery of Australia, the historic Australian War Memorial, the splendid National Science and Technology Museum and the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens. It is also home to quiet a young population that including many students. Despite many comments made by other Australian’s the entertainment scene is quite lively. Canberra is also probably the only major city in Australia where you will actually see kangaroos roaming the streets and parks. There have been confirmed sightings of kangaroos swimming in Lake Burley Griffin, named after the American architect Walter Burley Griffin, and grazing in the grounds of Parliament House.

The plains and hills around the outskirts of Canberra rise into the rugged Great Dividing Range in the south and west areas of the ACT. The well known Murrumbidgee River also flows across the ACT from the south east to the north west and here is a great place for picnics and barbecues. The ACT holds some great small towns in its region, which might interest anyone with enough time to explore the full region, they include the towns of Queanbeyan, Adaminaby and Tharwa.

Canberra Hotels
Rydges Resort Eagle Hawk Hill Canberra (3.5 Star) rates from AUD$98 per night
Comfort Inn Downtown Canberra (3 Star) rates from AUD$116.00.
Olims Hotel, Canberra, (4 Star) rates from AUD$124.00 per night.
Saville Park Suites Canberra, Canberra, (4 Star) rates from AUD$133.00 per night.
Rydges Lakeside Canberra Hotel, Canberra, (4 Star) rates from AUD$140.00 per night.
Crowne Plaza Canberra (4 Star) rates from AUD$177.00 per night.
Medina Executive James Court Canberra (4 Star) rates from AUD$184.00 per night.
Hyatt Hotel Canberra (5 Star) rates from AUD$380.00 per night.
Chifley on Northbourne Canberra (4.5 Star) rates from AUD$140.00 per night.
Best Western Sundown Motel Resort Canberra (3.5 Star) rates from AUD$141.00 per night.
Quality Inn Belconnen Canberra (4 Star) rates from AUD$141.00 per night.
Quality Inn Belconnen (4 Star) rates from AUD$177.00 per night.
Pacific International Capital Tower (4 Star) rates from AUD$171.00 per night.
Novotel Canberra (4 Star) rates from AUD$174.00 per night.
Quality Hotel Diplomat Canberra (4.5 Star) rates from AUD$182.00 per night.
Comfort Inn and Suites Capital Executive Canberra (4.5 Star) rates from AUD$183.00 per night.
Pavilion on Northbourne Canberra (3.5 Star)
Novotel Canberra (4 Star) rates from AUD$174.00 per night.
Quality Hotel Woden (4 Star) rates from AUD$166.00 per night.
Best Western Parklands Apartment Hotel rates from AUD$145.00 per night.
Quest Canberra (4 Star)
Quality Suites Clifton on Northbourne
Waldorf Apartment Hotel Canberra
Bentley Suites Canberra
The Brassey Canberra
Heritage Hotel Canberra

The mean maximum temperature in Canberra is 19.7°C, with the highest on record 42.2°C. The mean minimum is 6.9ºdegC, with the lowest on record -10°C. Strong winds are frequent and are mainly from the west and north-west.

The lowland, including the city of Canberra, has an average annual rainfall of 630mm, unevenly distributed throughout the year. The mountain ridges have an even higher rainfall, which may reach 1500mm annually. During much of the winter the ground temperature is near or below freezing point and snow falls frequently and may persist for some months.