About
Canberra is the capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory in Oceania. It was purpose-built in the early twentieth century to house the federal government and the country's major national institutions, which gives the city a planned character quite different from Australia's larger coastal cities.
What a visit offers
Because Canberra was designed as a seat of government, much of a visit centres on the national institutions that were gathered there. Visitors interested in how Australia is governed, and in the nation's public life more broadly, will find the capital a natural place to spend time. The city's layout reflects its purpose, with government and civic buildings set within a landscape of open space, lakes and parkland.
Planning your time
Canberra suits a visit of a few days, enough to see the main institutions and to explore the surrounding parks and water at an easy pace. Those who prefer a quieter, more orderly city than Sydney or Melbourne may find it especially pleasant. Since the city is spread out, travelling between sights is most comfortable by car, taxi or the local bus network, and it is worth checking current opening arrangements for the buildings you plan to see before you set out.
Around the city
Canberra also makes a convenient base for exploring the Australian Capital Territory and the wider region. Its planned open spaces invite walking and cycling, and the city's combination of official architecture and green surroundings gives a visit a relaxed rhythm. For travellers curious about how a nation built its capital from the ground up, Canberra offers a distinctive and well-defined experience.