Introducing Canberra

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was born of a dispute between Sydney and Melbourne, each competing to become the capital of the newly independent and federated Australia. Neither could bear for the other to triumph, so when a compromise was reached, a small chunk was carved out of New South Wales’ Limestone Plains 280km southwest of Sydney. This became the site for Canberra, and the country’s smallest self-governing territory.

The city of Canberra is a monument to the young country’s aspirations, its urban landscape expertly designed to show off the nation’s democratic and cultural institutions. The city is an excellent destination for museum addicts, with wonderful fine art and historical collections. Canberra is the nation’s political heart – its restaurants buzz with power-lunchers hammering out strategy, while at the city’s bars political reporters hang about hoping for a bit of gossip or a wine-fuelled indiscretion.

The ACT is known for its liberal politics, becoming the first jurisdiction to vote a woman its head of government and enacting progressive legislation on everything from gay unions and women’s rights to porn and marijuana.

Australia's almost too-tidy capital is cradled by mountain ranges and hills covered in bushland, beyond which are several charming villages and a growing number of cold-climate wineries. Half of the territory is protected as national park or reserve, with plenty to attract hikers, campers and nature-lovers of all kinds.