Did you know that the actual capital city of Australia is Canberra, which we will be discussing in this article? If you are considering studying abroad in this city or simply want to learn more about it, follow along! This article will definitely answer your questions. 

Capital of Australia 

As we briefly mentioned earlier, Canberra is the true capital of Australia, located halfway between two cities that are often mistaken for the capital: Sydney and Melbourne. By car or train, you can visit Sydney in about 3 hours and Melbourne in 5 hours. Or, if you have a budget and want to get there quickly, Canberra has Canberra Airport (CBR) which can get you to either city in just 1 hour! 

Why Canberra? 

Canberra has a rich history dating back 111 years, from 1913 to 2024. It is a city with many interesting facts. One of them is the meaning of the city’s name, which comes from the local Aboriginal language and means “meeting place.” This is due to its location near two major cities and the agreement among the state cabinets that Canberra was the most suitable place to be the capital.  

The main reasons include its low population density, the city’s greenery surrounded by mountains and natural attractions, which has earned it the nickname “Bush Capital,” and the clean air and coldest weather! Although it is not as cold as Europe or America, Canberra is one of the coldest cities in Australia during winter.  

There are many ski resorts and attractions nearby, including: 

• Perisher Ski Resort, the largest and most popular ski resort in Australia, located in Blue Cow Mountain range, and just 2.30 hours from Canberra. 
• Or, not far from Canberra, there is also Corin Forest Mountain Resort, another popular spot for skiing, snowball fighting, hiking, and trying out the Alpine Slide. It is only 45 minutes from the city. 
• And even though Canberra is not a coastal city, there are plenty of beach options within the South Coast region, such as Denhams Beach, Broulee Beach, and Jervis Bay, all of which are just 2 hours away. 

In Canberra itself, there are also many attractions to visit, such as the National Arboretum Canberra, National Zoo & Aquarium, National Museum of Australia, Australian Parliament House, Old Bus Depot Markets, Australian War Memorial, and Australian National Botanic Gardens. As you can see, all the national landmarks are located in this city. The Australian National University is also located here! 

🟢 Interested in studying at the Australian National University? Join us at the ANU Bangkok Information Day on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5 pm – 8 pm at Grande Centre Point Terminal 21, Level C, Sukhumvit 1 & 2, BTS Asok / MRT Sukhumvit, Exit 3. Click here to register for free. 

Life in Canberra 

Despite being a cold city, Canberra’s most popular festival is the Hot Air Balloon Festival! This is because hot air balloons can float better in cold weather, which is why the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, held every March, is so famous. This month also hosts the vibrant Enlighten Festival – a city celebration of culture and creativity, along with the exclusive Chief Minister’s Student Welcome, where new international and domestic students are personally greeted by the Chief Minister of Australia! 

Reading this far, you might be wondering, what makes this city great for students? 

According to the QS World University Rankings’ Best Student Cities 2025 ranking, Canberra is ranked 5th and is one of the top 30 cities in the world for international students. This is due to the quality of its universities, with the Australian National University ranked 4th in the country and 30th in the world, the diversity of its student population, the livability, safety, and affordability of the city, as well as the employment activities and student feedback. Canberra also demonstrates its status as a city of education with over 40% of its adult population holding a bachelor’s degree and over 97% holding a high school diploma. This sounds very impressive, because this is the highest percentage compared to other cities in Australia! 

📢 For those interested in studying at the Australian National University, join us at the ANU Bangkok Information Day on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 5 pm – 8 pm at Grande Centre Point Terminal 21, Level C, Sukhumvit 1 & 2, BTS Asok / MRT Sukhumvit, Exit 3. Click here to register for free. 

If you are interested in studying in Australia, please contact One Education. We are here to help you. Our team is delighted to offer free guidance and support at every step of the process. Our service is completely free of charge.    
Add our Line official account: @one-edu or submit an enquiry form. We will get back to you as soon as possible.   
Call us: 02-652-0718  

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