| Tourism > Australia > Australian Capital Territory > Canberra Region Canberra Region Tourism About the Canberra Region RegionCanberra is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Australia and the nation’s largest inland city. It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory, 280 km south-west of Sydney, and 650 km north-east of Melbourne.
The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between age-old rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's two largest cities.
It is unusual among Australian cities, being an entirely purpose-built, planned city. Following an international contest for the city's design, a design by the Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin was selected and construction commenced in 1913. The city's design was heavily influenced by the garden city movement and incorporates significant areas of natural vegetation that have earned Canberra the title ''bush capital''. Although the growth and development of Canberra were hindered by the World Wars and the Great Depression, it emerged as a thriving city after World War II.
As the seat of the Federal Government, Canberra is the site of Parliament House, the High Court of Australia, and numerous government departments and agencies. It is also home to many national monuments and institutions, such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library of Australia, the National Archives of Australia, and the National Museum of Australia.
Many Commonwealth Government buildings in Canberra are open to the public, including Parliament House, the High Court and the Royal Australian Mint. Lake Burley Griffin is the site of the Captain Cook Memorial and the National Carillon. Other sites of interest include the Telstra Tower and the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Black Mountain, the National Zoo and Aquarium on Scrivener Dam, the National Dinosaur Museum and Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre.
List of Towns in the Canberra Region RegionClick on any town name in the following list to display historical, geographical and tourism related information for the town selected. ACTON | BELCONNEN | BRADDON | BYWONG | CAMPBELL | CANBERRA | DEAKIN | DICKSON | FORREST | GRIFFITH | GUNGAHLIN | HALL | KINGSTON | MACGREGOR | MANUKA | NARRABUNDAH | O'CONNOR | TURNER | WATSON | WODEN Last Minute Accommodation in the Canberra Region RegionSearch for last minute accommodation in Canberra Region.
** We offer accommodation globally. Be sure to enter the Country and the City of your choice before you begin your search. Available Accommodation in the Canberra Region RegionIf you're looking for a great deal over the course of the next year in the Canberra Region region then click here to book a bargain up to 365 days from now. Any bookings are confirmed via email immediately. Tours in the Canberra Region RegionAn extensive range of tours and travel packages for Canberra Region can be searched, booked and confirmed immediately online by clicking here. Car Hire in the Canberra Region RegionIf you're looking to hire a car, sports car, luxury car, motorhome, campervan, motorbike or truck in the Canberra Region then click here for fantastic bargains. Cancellations.com.auBookmark Cancellations.com.au for all your Australian and international travel needs:  | Last minute accommodation at bargain prices (up to 70% off retail prices). |  | Discounted accommodation bookable up to a year in advance (up to 60% off retail prices). |  | Boutique accommodation. |  | Last minute room cancellations ... re-listed and priced to sell. |  | Cheap flights from Qantas, Virgin Blue, Jetstar and others. |  | Discounted car rentals, luxury cars, sports cars, wedding cars, limosines, motorhomes, campervans, motorcycles, motorbikes, 4WDs, commercial trucks and more from the leading car hire companies Avis, Budget, Eurocar and others. |  | Travel packages, travel specials and tours. |  | Travel insurance (for peace of mind). | Add this page to your favourite bookmark website: | |