Damon Mcknight
Australia's capital city is Canberra, located in the Australian Capital Territory. Canberra is a planned city, designed by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, and founded in 1913. The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery, and Parliament House. With its surrounding mountain ranges and nature reserves, Canberra is also known as The Bush Capital.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the capital city | Canberra |
| Year founded | 1913 |
| Population | 450,000 |
| Location | Australian Capital Territory, southeast of Australia |
| Distance from Sydney | 300 km (186 miles) |
| Distance from Melbourne | 650 km (404 miles) |
| Elevation | 580 meters (1,900 feet) |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9% (as of February 2020) |
| Average disposable income | Highest in Australia |
| Gross average weekly wage | $1827 (as of November 2019) |
| Median house price | $745,000 (as of February 2020) |
| Median weekly rent | $410 for a unit, $460 for a house (as of January 2014) |
| Education | Residents are more likely to have higher educational qualifications |
| Cultural attractions | Australian War Memorial, Royal Australian Mint, National Museum, National Gallery, Parliament House |
| Natural surroundings | Mountain ranges, nature reserves, nearby vineyards |
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What You'll Learn
Canberra's history as Australia's capital
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, by groups including the Ngunnawal and Ngambri.
The process of selecting Canberra as the capital city of Australia was contentious. There was a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. A compromise was eventually reached: the new capital would be built in New South Wales, provided it was at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney.
In 1909, the site was chosen for the new capital. The Seat of Government Bill, confirming Yass-Canberra as the nation's capital, was passed by the Parliament in October 1908. The government then conducted an international competition for the design of the capital, with entrants told it would be the 'official and social centre of Australia'. The winning design was submitted by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Construction of the city began in 1913 and was completed in 1927.
Canberra was criticised after World War II for resembling a village, and its disorganised collection of buildings was deemed ugly. However, it has since been recognised as a cultural and natural hub, with the Australian Capital Territory blending the best of nature and culture. Canberra has also been the recipient of the 'Most Liveable City in the World' title multiple times due to its cultural diversity, modern cityscape, and friendly atmosphere.
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Canberra's climate
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It has an oceanic climate, with warm, dry summers and cool winters. The average summer temperature ranges from 12.6°C to 27°C, with little humidity and balmy nights. January is the hottest month, with temperatures rising to 28°C on average. Canberra's pleasant summer weather means visitors can enjoy outdoor spaces and activities such as sailing, canoeing, and waterskiing in their t-shirts and shorts.
In autumn, the temperatures drop to a mild 6.8°C to 20°C, and the city's parks and gardens display a beautiful array of colours. Winter in Canberra is cold, with average temperatures between 1°C and 12°C, and the temperature often dropping below 0°C at night. Frost is common during these months, and although snow is rare in the city centre, the surrounding areas, including the nearby Australian Alps, receive annual snowfall. The Snowy Mountains, home to several ski resorts, are a three-hour drive from Canberra.
Spring brings fresh mornings and brisk nights, with temperatures ranging from 6°C to 19°C. November is the wettest month, but Canberra generally receives relatively low rainfall compared to the rest of the country.
Canberra's design is influenced by the garden city movement, with significant areas of natural vegetation incorporated into the city. Its unique design can be appreciated from the Telstra Tower and Mount Ainslie's summit. The city is also known for its cultural diversity and modern cityscape, having been ranked among the world's best cities to live in and visit.
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Canberra's culture
Canberra, Australia's capital city, is a cultural hub with a wide range of attractions and experiences on offer. The city is home to many important institutions, national monuments, museums, and cultural institutions of national significance.
The Australian War Memorial, dedicated to remembering the service and sacrifice of Australians in conflict, is one of the most significant attractions in the country. The National Gallery of Australia, located in the heart of the city, showcases the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The National Museum of Australia, situated on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, brings Australia's stories to life, while the Australian Parliament House offers a behind-the-scenes look at the country's parliamentary democracy.
Canberra also boasts a vibrant performing arts scene, with the National Folk Festival, the Royal Canberra Show, the Enlighten Festival, and the National Multicultural Festival as key highlights. The city's main sporting venues, Canberra Stadium and Manuka Oval, host various events throughout the year.
For those interested in exploring the outdoors, Canberra offers scenic hikes, abundant wildlife, and Aboriginal rock art sites. The Dhawura Aboriginal Cultural Tour invites visitors to learn about the area's Indigenous history and explore the mountain's cultural significance. The National Arboretum, born out of the 2003 Canberra bushfires, is another must-visit, featuring over 250 hectares of tree species and indigenous plant life.
Canberra's culinary scene is diverse, ranging from high-end farm-to-table restaurants to authentic mom-and-pop eateries. The city also has a thriving coffee culture, with local roasters and cafes collaborating to experiment with new blends and beans. The wine district, located just 35 minutes from the city, is home to 140 cool-climate vineyards, offering a scenic getaway for wine enthusiasts.
Canberra's cultural offerings extend beyond the traditional, with the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, and the Australian Institute of Sport providing unique insights into the nation's diverse interests and passions.
With its rich history, dynamic dining scene, and abundance of cultural attractions, Canberra truly embodies the heart and soul of Australia.
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Canberra's economy
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It was founded in 1913 following a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. It is an entirely planned city, designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The city was built in the mountainous Australian Capital Territory (ACT), where snow-capped mountains can be seen for much of the winter.
Canberra has the fastest-growing, sixth-biggest economy in Australia. As of 2017-18, the ACT economy had exhibited positive growth at a 1991-2018 average of 3.17% per year. The economy is primarily composed of service industries (75%), particularly public administration, and construction. In contrast to other Australian states and territories, the primary sectors of agriculture, forestry, and mining represent a very small proportion of the economy (1%).
The ACT government has supported small and medium-sized businesses by easing payroll tax policies and introducing investment and marketing initiatives. In 2018, the government launched the Priority Investment Program (PIP) with a project budget of $9.75 million to integrate key economic sectors and advanced-knowledge industries through investment incentives.
Canberra has a low unemployment rate, which was 2.9% in February 2020, compared to the national rate of 5.1%. As a result, Canberra has the highest average level of disposable income of any Australian capital city. The gross average weekly wage in Canberra is $1827 compared to the national average of $1658 (as of November 2019). The median house price in Canberra, as of February 2020, was $745,000, lower than only Sydney among capital cities of more than 100,000 people. The median weekly rent in Canberra is higher than in all other states and territories, with the median unit rent at $410 per week and the median housing rent at $460 as of January 2014.
In 2014, Canberra was named the best city in the world to live in by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the third-best city to visit globally by Lonely Planet in 2017. The city has a diverse and modern cityscape, a friendly atmosphere, and a thriving education sector, with approximately 17,000 international students in 2016-17, contributing A$750 million per year to the economy.
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Canberra's population
Canberra is the capital of Australia and its largest inland city. It is a planned city that was not developed in one of Australia's states. Instead, it is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, a small territory developed to ensure that Australia's capital was neutral and not located in one of the country's five states. Canberra was chosen as the location for the nation's capital in 1908, and in 1913, it was officially founded and named.
As of the 2021 census, Canberra had a population of 452,670, constituting 223,365 males and 229,301 females. This amounted to 1.8% of Australia's total population. The estimated population for 2025 is 482,986, representing an annual growth of 1.13% since the previous year. The population density in 2016 was 495.6 people per square kilometer.
Canberra has a diverse population, with a mix of people born in Australia and overseas. In 2021, 28.7% of Canberra's inhabitants were reported as having been born outside of Australia, with the top countries of birth being India, England, China, and Nepal. This percentage increased to 32.5% when including those born in other countries besides Australia. Additionally, 1.6% of the population identified as Indigenous Australians in 2016. Canberra also has a high proportion of residents with tertiary education, and the average income is higher than the national average.
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Frequently asked questions
Canberra is the capital of Australia.
Canberra was chosen as the capital after a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should take the title. It was decided that a new capital would be built in the territory of New South Wales, between the two cities, so long as it was at least 100 miles (160km) from Sydney.
Canberra is the only Australian city to be entirely planned. It was designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who won an international design contest.
