In 1908, the Federal Parliament designated the territory for the national capital and annexed further land at Jervis Bay on the New South Wales coast so the national capital could have a seaport.
Fertile farming lands, the Great Dividing Range and alpine peaks surround the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
The territory has an abundance of nature with 53 per cent of the total area preserved as parks and reserves.
Our clean air comes from extensive forests and pure water comes from pristine catchments fed by pure rain and snowmelt.
Canberra, the urban centre of the ACT, is a thriving modern city of 347,000 people.
Just 45 minutes drive from the city is Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offering walking trails, ranger-guided activities, Australian animals in their natural habitat, a chance to see conservation work with programs to restore threatened species including the brush tailed rock wallaby and corroboree frog, delightful wildflowers during spring and rich Indigenous and pioneer heritage.
Explore the purity of Namadgi National Park, a 45 minute drive from the city. Situated at the northern end of the Australian Alps, this park is perfect for a picnic or bushwalk along the numerous marked trails, to experience native flora and fauna and enjoy spectacular wildflowers in spring.
There is over 20,000 years of human occupation in the mountains which means it has been a natural destination for visitors longer than the Great Pyramids! The Indigenous rock art and Aboriginal shelters are easily accessible.
Camping is possible in pleasant bushland settings with fishing, mountain biking and horse riding permitted in designated areas.
See for yourself the great things that come with the Australian Capital Territory.