Australia’s capital city Canberra was built from scratch over the course of several decades in the 20^th century. Every avenue and every public space in this city proclaims its own purpose-built nature. Some Australians complain that Canberra is too perfect or that no city should be so well-built. Of course, unless perfection is a problem, Canberra is an ideal holiday spot for tourists.

Even the name ‘Canberra’ was well planned. Taken from a local Aboriginal dialect, it is said to mean ‘meeting place.’ Today, Canberra serves as a ‘meeting place’ for the nation’s federal government in a district of Australia known as the Australian Capital Territory.

Upon Australia’s federation, the new government tried to settle the business of where the permanent capital would reside. Canberra was something of a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne - virtually equidistant between the two. In essence, Canberra is a ‘meeting place’ between these two Australian superpowers.

Canberra sits slightly inland from the coast at roughly a 2,000ft altitude on an elevated plain. The Molonglo River was dammed and the result is Lake Burley Griffin, which is something of a centrepiece for this sprawling community. The city is delineated into a number of districts and suburbs that emanate from the central Parliamentary Triangle, which in turn is bordered by City Hall and the Civic Centre.

Visitors to Canberra spend their days admiring the modern architecture and perusing the endless array of museums, memorials and government buildings—virtually all of which are open to the public. When touring takes its toll, Lake Burley Griffin is a nice place to relax, while the more distant Snowy Mountains beckon nature lovers and adventurers. After the sun sets, Canberra nightlife takes centre stage.

Accommodation is plentiful. Upscale hotels cater for the city’s elite visitors—politicians, heads of state and other world leaders, but there are just as many options for everyday tourists on a less presidential budget. Restaurants across the city serve some of the best international cuisine in the country.

Canberra is a fascinating place to visit and learn about Australia’s heritage. Conceptualised and built in a few short decades, the city itself bears witness to the unbridled Australian spirit. A holiday in Canberra is as relaxing as it is educational, and tourists are always glad they visited.

The grounds of modern-day Canberra remained a remote outpost during much of Australia’s youth. European settlers first arrived in the early 19^th century and colonised portions of the Snowy Mountain foothills where they lived in relative anonymity during most of that century.

The various colonies of Australia united into a corporate federation in 1901, and Melbourne was named interim capital while its nearby rival Sydney tried to justify its own claim to capital status. Several other candidates for capital were considered, but the powers that were chose to build the nation’s capital from raw land.

A broad floodplain hugging the Molonglo River was chosen, and this land was purchased from a settler who had received the land as a reward for helping to capture a bandit in previous years. The land, which had previously been part of New South Wales, was purchased, rezoned and named the Australian Capital Territory, or ACT.

After the capital territory was ceded to the federal government, a design competition was announced. Native Chicagoan and landscape architect Walter Burley Griffin won the contest and was named Federal Capital Director of design and construction for the new capital. Canberra was officially named in 1913 by Lady Denman, wife of the Governor General.

Griffin envisioned a green space divided into five separate districts, each serving a specific administrative purpose. The city would operate a municipal axis alongside a land-based axis and a water-based axis. Roads emanated from these axes in concentric circles that gave the landscape an element of fluid connectivity.

Fourteen years later, the federal government officially moved its offices and personnel to Canberra and the first Parliament House went into active use. However, the initial plans to rapidly build this framework into a metropolitan centre of government and commerce was slowed by the proceeding World Wars. Some of the city’s buildings plans were put on permanent hold—most prominently, a pair of cathedrals that never made it past their blueprints.

After WWII, Australia’s federal government finished relocating to Canberra, and drastic development picked up again. Today, this well-organised city serves its purpose well, and most of its attractions are relatively modern buildings that are both aesthetically pleasing and politically important.

Tourists appreciate the opportunity to peruse so many world-class museums and art institutes in Canberra. But there’s more to this city than educational and political importance. Canberra is also known for its thriving university-fed nightlife.

Canberra’s climate is characterised by four distinct seasons. The city owes its climate to its geographical location. Canberra’s latitude, inland position and relatively high altitude combine to influence seasonal weather patterns. Summers are hot and relatively dry while winters see occasional, scant snowfall. The wettest seasons are spring and autumn.

Average summertime highs level out just shy of 30°C, with record temperatures considerably higher. January and February are the hottest months, and during these summer months night-time lows descend to 12°C. Conversely, the summertime lows are the wintertime highs, and during the month of July lows dip below freezing.

While snowfall isn’t common in the city centre, scattered flurries aren’t uncommon. More substantial snowfall frequents the higher altitudes of the aptly named Snowy Mountains.

The nicest time to visit Canberra is in the interim between summer and winter. While precipitation is slightly higher during this time, the average rainfall is still low compared to other places. Temperatures are conducive to daytrips and sightseeing excursions, and night-time lows call for little more than a sweatshirt or light jacket. The many parks and gardens of Canberra are particularly nice in October and November, when spring flowers are in bloom.