Ask most people to name an Australian city and chances are they will say "Sydney" or "Melbourne". Australia’s capital city, Canberra, would probably be a long way down the list. If it rates a mention at all. For most overseas Visitors, and even many Australians, Canberra remains something of a mystery yet the country’s largest city had plenty to offer terms of cultural, sporting, historical and academic activities.

Founded in 1913, Canberra represented a compromise - between the competing cities of Sydney and Melbourne - as the site for the national centre of government. Appropriately the name is adapted from a local Aboriginal word for "meeting place". The city’s dominant feature is Lake Burley Griffin, named for the Chicago architect who won an international competition in 1911 to design the national capital. That design, featuring sweeping vistas and wide boulevards, has earned Canberra recognition as one of the world’s best planned cities.

Perched on the shores of the lake are many of the national capital’s prime attractions, dominated by Parliament House - an internationally acclaimed building completed for the country’s biotennial of European settlement in 1998. Cut into a hill, the building is renowned for its architecture and features superb stonework and Australian timber. At the base of the hill sits its predecessor which had served as the home of the Australian Parliament since 1927.

Scattered around the area are the National Gallery, National Library, National Science and Technology Centre, High Court and the National Carrillion - a bell tower that was a gift to Australia from Great Britain to mark the city’s 50^th birthday in 1963. But the city’s attractions are not confined to the shores of the lake: historical homesteads, botanical gardens, astronomy observatories and even a miniature village are a short drive from the city.

Canberra is a young city - even by Australia’s standards - yet its 300,000 residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle. It is one of the few cities in Australia to experience four distinct seasons with hot summers (20-32oC+), delightful springs and autumns and crisp winters when overnight temperatures drop to about -5oC.

Sporty Canberrans take full advantage of the climate, cycling on the extensive network of paths, swimming in one of several Olympic-sized pools or using one of the extensive range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities, Canberra is a frequent host of major sporting events including the Masters Games, Police Games, international swimming meets as well as an annual summer Festival of Sport. For those inclined to travel a little bit further afield, Canberra is ideally placed for year-round outdoor sport. It is just a few hours drive from some of Australia’s best beaches and the country’s prime ski fields.

Residents will tell you that Canberra’s biggest asset as a place to live is the great outdoors. The city is surrounded by reserves and parks to the South West. City planners set aside land for numerous parks and gardens - making it one of the world’s greenest cities and a delight for lovers of the outdoors and athletic visitors. Taking a bike ride around Lake Burley Griffin is a great way to see Canberra for the first time. The path meanders through parks, pine forests, bushland and past some of Canberra’s famous monuments included the National Library, the National Gallery and the Government House, home of the Queen’s representatives in Australia - the Governor General - where it’s not hard to spot a few kangaroos. For the more ambitious, mountain biking is a favourite pastime in Canberra with three peaks to choose from - Mount Ainslie, Mount Majura and Black Mountain. Over the years challenging trails have been carved out of these low, rolling mountains. An early morning ride followed by a coffee and fresh-baked pastry at one of the many cafes is a Canberran tradition.

But it’s jot just the sports-minded who have plenty to do, festivals and special events are organised throughout the year. One of the largest and best-known, Floriade, celebrates the spring in the capital with floral displays on a different theme each year. Other festivals celebrate autumn, spring and summer and each year.

For quieter outdoor pursuits the nearby Brindabella Mountains, Brindabella Valley and Tidbinbilla nature reserve offer easy or challenging walks with the chance to see some of Australia’s wildlife including emus, koalas and, of course, kangaroos. Other walks include the popular Yankee Hat, a three kilometre flat walk, or Square Rock, an easy stroll with great views which cuts through most of the diverse vegetation of Corin Forest. The National Botanic Gardens conducts tours every Sunday of its comprehensive collections of native flora. Many Canberrans take a break from their sporting pursuits to do a bit of bargain-hunting at one of the many markets in the capital. Kingston, Hall and Gorman House markets are part of the city’s thriving informal economy and great places to buy gifts for the folks back home.

For a different sort of break several historical homesteads, including Lanyon House and Blundell’s Cottage which pre-date the city’s establishment by many years, offer a chance to glimpse colonial life in Australia and stop for a picnic in the gardens.

The centre of political life in Australia is also a cultural hub, with annual events such as the summer Multicultural Festival and the winter National Opera Festival, drawing in visitors from throughout the country and overseas, who also take time out to visit the many galleries and exhibitions on permanent display in the capital. Many Canberra residents are also attracted to the city by its outstanding educational facilities.

There are five major tertiary institutions, including the Australian National University - a major research and teaching institution with an international reputation for cutting-edge research. The ANU’s experience in Asian Studies is recognised world-wide and its John Curtin School of Medical Research has produced three Nobel Prize winners. Canberra is also the base for the Australian Defence Force Academy, the primary academic institution for the country’s armed forces. Also based in the national capital are the University of Canberra, the Australian Catholic University - which has a special emphasis on theological studies, and the Australian Institute of Sport - the country’s premier sports training and teaching facility.

Despite the wealth of activities in the national capital, Canberra retains a laid-back lifestyle. Although everyone is busy doing their own thing, there’s no need to rush around - and visitors seeking directions are assured of a friendly response. Canberrans are keen for others to enjoy everything their city has to offer - even if it does mean that one of the country’s best-kept secrets may finally get out.

Author: Australian National University

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education