The states and territories of Australia

Australian Capital Territory

With a size of 2,358 square kilometres, The Australian Capital Territory is an ideal destination for travellers who seek culture, history, outdoor adventures, and local food and wine experiences. Situated between Sydney and Melbourne, this fascinating part of Australia has a lot to offer and is waiting to be discovered.

Visit local bars in Canberra
© Tourism Australia
Watch hot air balloons in the bright blue sky
© Tourism Australia

Canberra

The capital city of Australia, Canberra is located approximately 300 kilometres away from Sydney. The city was designed by an American architect, Walter Burley Griffin. The city is centred around the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin, which is a great recreational area for Canberra. The surrounding wine regions, national parks, and mountains also make the city an interesting and varied destination to visit. However, there is also a lot to explore on the cultural side.

Discover a beautiful green city

Canberra has become a green city with many parks, broad streets, and the man-made Lake Burley Griffin, the centre of the CBD. The lake is the perfect setting for walking, cycling, and swimming. Or pack a picnic and enjoy this special part of Australia.

Cycle around Lake Burley Griffin
Enjoy all the colours of the flowers at the Floriade
© Tourism Australia

Visit some of Australia's most important buildings

Canberra is home to many national monuments and institutions such as the Parliament Building, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Library - that are worth a visit. If you would like to see where Australian money is made and learn more, you can visit The Royal Australian Mint. This is where all of the coins are made in Australia. Here, you can take a free guided tour!

Admire the extensive collection at the National Gallery of Australia
© Tourism Australia
The Parliament of Australia is open to the public
© Tourism Australia

Discover the capital city of Australia

Take a wander down the ANZAC Parade or in the urban precinct of Braddon, you can find street art and murals. Go shopping at the Old Bus Depot Markets or if you prefer visit the National Zoo and Aquarium. A unique playground can be found at the National Arboretum. And of course, the ultimate place to celebrate Australia Day on the 26 January is in Canberra!

Are you a food and wine lover?

Visit Canberra's most vibrant dining precincts: Central Canberra, South of the Lake, Lake Burley Griffin, The Gold Creek Village, Kingston, and Manuka. Taste regional wine at The Canberra Wine House.

Get active in Canberra

Conquer the One Tree Hill Summit, a nine-kilometre walk that takes approximately three hours. For an iconic view, go on the Mount Ainslie walk, a 4.2 kilometre steep walk, or go kayaking over Lake Burley Griffin.

Celebrate in style!
© Tourism Australia
Shop for local goods
© Tourism Australia

Celebrate the seasons with events and festivals

In Canberra, there is something to celebrate every season. See a million flowers at the Floriade in the spring, indulge in delicious delicacies at The Truffle Festival in the winter. In the autumn, iconic buildings are transformed into works of art and hot air balloons take to the skies during the Enlighten Festival. Are you a car enthusiast? Visit the Summernats, which is held every summer.

The annual Floriade Festival is Australia's biggest celebration of spring
© Tourism Australia
Celebrate in Australia's capital city
© Tourism Australia

Nature and wildlife

In Canberra, you can get up close and personal with five of Australia's most famous animal residents: the koala, wombat, emu, platypus, and the kangaroo. For this, you should pay a visit to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. For nature lovers, a hike on Mount Ainslie, Mount Painter, or Black Mountain is ideal. From here, you can enjoy the picturesque view of the city. Visit Canberra in spring to see the cherry blossoms or in autumn when the city glows a dark, fireplace red.

A large kangaroo laying on the ground
Say G'day to kangaroos
© Meg Jerrard
Spot the elusive platypus
© Ash Thomson Photography

A gourmet escape

Just 35 minutes from the city, Canberra has three wine regions with 40 wineries. Enjoy the traditionally thriving drops in the relaxed tranquility of the surrounding area. If you are more of the beer type, you should pay a visit to the BentSpoke Brewing brewery or enjoy the specialty beers in the cosy beer garden at Capital Brewing Co in Fyshwick. A culinary feast is also worthwhile because of the numerous award-winning restaurants.

Explore the stunning wineries found outside of Canberra
© Tourism Australia
Enjoy a culinary experience in the outdoors
© Tourism Australia

Day trips from Canberra

Ideally located, you don't have to venture far to find something else extraordinary outside of Canberra. Within two hours, you can be relaxing by the ocean in Huskisson, sipping wine in Murrumbateman, or having a 4WD adventure in Brindabella National Park. Whatever you are searching for, a day trip is a great way to explore this unique part of Australia.

Wombat | Australia wildlife
Watch out for wombats
© TravelEssence
Marvel at the turquoise waters of Jervis Bay

The Snowy Mountains

South of Canberra, experience Australia's unique winter sports paradise with the highest peak on the continent. Mount Kosciuszko can be found at Kosciuszko National Park, which reaches an astonishing height of 2,228 metres, above sea level.

Get cosy in winter by the fire and enjoy the white world that surrounds you
© Destination NSW copyright
Conquer Mount Kosciuszko National Park

Get active in the heart of nature

In the cold season, the Snowy Mountains come alive with skiers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoe hikers. The warm summer months attract climbers, mountain bikers, and mountain enthusiasts to the surrounding Kosciuszko National Park.

Visit an assortment of beautiful ski towns

Stop into the charming small ski towns of Thredbo, Perisher, Charlotte Pass, and Mount Selwyn. And be sure to visit the local museums and galleries. Ancient caves and refreshing thermal baths await you in Yarrangobilly. And in the vineyards of Tumbarumba, you can relax with a glass of vino at a tasting. Australia's high country is waiting to be explored.

Hike and discover the unique nature in Mount Kosciuszko National Park
Feel like you have the whole place to yourself

Capital country

Uncover the Aussie charm and charisma of Capital Country, a region that is located outside Australia’s capital city, Canberra. Be sure to pop by the nearby, small village of Gundaroo. A beautifully preserved colonial town, located in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales.

Are you a history buff?

Bursting with history, explorers Charles Throsby and Joseph Wild travelled through this area in 1820. And the discovery of gold came about in 1852. Today, there are approximately 330 residents living here. Immerse yourself in Australian history at the outdoor heritage museum, located on Main Street. Or discover the Gundaroo Heritage River Walk.

Taste the local flavours

Indulge in local wine and food experiences. And be sure to go vineyard hopping! Stop by the markets and say G’day to the locals. Capital Country has all the ingredients to experience true Aussie hospitality.

Experience the local hospitality

Jervis Bay

The area under Sydney up to and including Jervis Bay is famous for its white sandy beaches and azure seawater. Jervis Bay includes several small coastal towns, such as Huskisson, Vicentia, and Jervis Bay Village, where you will find rich marine life. Dolphins play in the bays all year round and it is one of the best places for whale watching.

Have close encounters with nature

Inland, you will find kangaroos, wombats, wallabies, and many rare bird species. Are you a water sports enthusiast? This part of the country is sure to keep you satisfied. The water in the bays is calm and perfect for diving, snorkelling, and kayaking. In the Booderee National Park, you can take beautiful forest walks, go cycling and enjoy the views from various viewpoints on the cliffs.

Indulge in locally-grown produce and wine

In the coastal towns, you will find several markets with regional products, galleries, and various museums. In addition, there are plenty of good restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy local wines combined with a meal prepared with fresh products.

Keep an eye out for kangaroos!
© Jose Mizrahi
Take long walks along the beautiful beaches
© Nadia Levenets

Discover more

Aus - sydney aerial view

Where to visit in Australia: Sydney

A journey to Australia is not complete without a visit to Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. With… read more

Exploring breathtaking nature

National Parks in Australia

With over 500 national parks to explore, Australia is truly a natural wonderland. Due to the variety of nature,… read more

Why book with us?

  • A well-designed holiday, just for you
  • Small-scale accommodations run by friendly local hosts
  • Carefully recommended activities based on your interests
  • A travel tempo and driving distances that match your needs
  • Ingrained sustainability in all facets of your holiday
  • 30 years of experience in travel to Australia

Let's design your holiday together

We'll take the time to get to know you to match your fully bespoke holiday with your pace, your interests, and anything you desire. Combined with first-hand, local knowledge, you'll receive a mapped out itinerary from us - but the process isn't done until you are 100% satisfied. We take care of every detail, so you can focus on relaxing, rejuvenating and reconnecting with yourself and the world around you. Get in touch to get started now.

Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?

Discover a world beyond ordinary

At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.