Canberra
Essential Canberra facts at a glance – including information for international visitors.
Population
About 325,000 people live in Canberra.
Location
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, which is surrounded by New South Wales. The city is 150 kilometres inland and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean, 281 kilometres from Sydney and 660 kilometres from Melbourne.
History
Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal word Kamberra. European settlers first came in the 1830s, and the area was chosen for the federal capital in 1908. Canberra’s special contrast of nature and urban living was planned in 1912 by master designer, Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect who won an international design competition. The provisional Parliament House was opened in 1927 in what was then a treeless paddock. For more information on Canberra’s history, visit
www.nationalcapital.gov.au.
Public holidays
2008
New Year's Day – Tuesday 1 January
Australia Day – Monday 28 January
Canberra Day – Monday 10 March
Good Friday – 21 March
Easter Saturday – 22 March
Easter Monday – 24 March
Anzac Day – Friday 25 April
Queen's Birthday – Monday 9 June
Labour Day – Monday 6 October
Family & Community Day – Tuesday 4 November
Christmas Day – Thursday 25 December
Boxing Day – Friday 26 December
Weather
The national capital’s four distinctive seasons, each with their own beauty and charm, make Canberra a rare treat amongst Australian cities. Canberra’s wonderful seasons turn the city into a kaleidoscope of colour throughout the year.
Spring is truly glorious. The city bursts into colour as the trees reveal their spring blooms and the regional vineyards awaken with the first bud bursts. You can expect moderately fresh mornings, bright sunny days and brisk nights.
Summer offers endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, especially ojn Lake Burley Griffin where plenty of water sports and activities await. The days are warm to hot, with plenty of sunshine and little humidity and are followed by mild balmy nights.
Autumn is a delight as the city’s parks and gardens take on a special appeal. Canberra’s stunning landscape changes as leaves of red, gold, russet, ochre and crimson emerge and are balanced by the soft greys and greens of native eucalyptus and coniferous trees alongside them. The season is blessed with cool nights and warm days.
Winter is the perfect time to snuggle up in front of a fire with a big glass of cool climate red wine. The nights and early mornings are brisk, but frosts and occasional fog generally clear to striking sunny days, so you can still get pleasure out of bike riding and walks by the lake on the cool fresh days.