Off to Australia to visit the island continent? Discover the capital and where to stay in Canberra!
When asked « What is the capital of Australia? » people often answer either Sydney or Melbourne. Yet Canberra is the capital ofAustralia and the state of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), despite being only the seventh largest city in the country. Canberra is home to a total population of 374,658 (2012) and is located 280 kilometers southwest of Sydney and 680 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. If you’re staying in Sydney, you can also take a day trip from the city to Canberra .
Home to Australia’s federal institutions, the public service is the city’s largest employer, and the cost of living is higher overall. Needless to say, renting accommodation in Canberra will be expensive. The city gets a bad press among travelers. So if you’re looking for a place to stay in Canberra and don’t want to be like everyone else, we’ve put together a mini-guide to where to stay, so you don’t have to.
Canberra Central
Photo credit: Unsplash – Harry Burk
Organized around City Hill and Civic Square, Canberra’s city center lies on the northern shores of Lake Burley Griffin, and is home to numerous restaurants serving international cuisine. If you want to party in the evening, this is the place to stay in Canberra: there are bars and nightclubs where you can meet Australia’s youth. The district is also home to a large number of stores, the heart of the city’s shopping scene. On the small peninsula of Hospital Point, don’t miss a visit to the National Museum of Australia.
For an extraordinary experience, head for the Parliament Buildings. Just before dawn, head to the Hyatt Hotel for a tour of Canberra… from the sky! Climb aboard a hot-air balloon for a breathtaking adventure. From above, Canberra promises an adventure of its own.
Find a hotel in Canberra Central
Yarralumla
Photo credit: Flickr – Mark爱生活
A large district to the west of the city center, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, Yarralumla is a leafy neighborhood with wide, shady streets, and has become a highly sought-after upmarket district of the city. The eastern part of the district is home to a number of embassies, including those of the USA, Spain, the Philippines and France.
Bordering Capital Hill to the east (Parliament Park), the district offers two large parks: Stirling Park and the Royal Canberra Golf Club. It’s a quiet place to stay in Canberra, if you can find homestay accommodation.
Forrest
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Christopher Lee
A fan-shaped neighborhood built south of Parliament, Forrest is one of the most popular areas for expatriates and tourists alike. It’s easily accessible and close to shops and restaurants. It features wide avenues and residential townhouses. If you’re looking for a quiet place to stay in Canberra, look no further than Forrest.
Kingston
Photo credit: Flickr – Steve Bittinger
Kingston, to the east, is an eccentric residential area, but home to numerous restaurants serving Australian cuisine and trendy pubs with a friendly atmosphere. Situated on the shores of the lake, the area is home to a Sunday must: Old Bus Depot Markets. There are many beautiful walks along the lake, extending as far as the Jerrabomberra Wetland Nature Reserve.
Barton
Photo credit: Flickr – njcull
Looking for accommodation in Canberra in a quiet neighborhood? Barton is for you! Relatively close to the city center – just take the Commonwealth Ave Bridge to get there – it lets you enjoy the Australian way of life – « no worries mate » style ! – while still being close to the monuments and museums to visit.
Map of hotels and accommodation – Canberra,au