The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a small area within New South Wales, established for the purposes of governing Canberra , the federal capital of Australia. For the greater part of this century the ACT was administered by a department of the Federal Governent itself.
However, the ACT is substantially larger than Canberra itself, and notably the remainder of the territory is largely wilderness, dominated by Namadgi National Park. Just west of the territory lies the northern tip of Kosiousko National Park, which extends southward all the way to the NSW/Victoria border. Also to the East it is only 2 hrs drive to Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast, past the Budawangs National Park with magnificent canyons and conglomerate plateaus.
If you are in Australia for a short time and are either based in Sydney or passing between Sydney and Melbourne, you should consider taking a day to visit Canberra and see the sites such as the Federal Parliament, High Court, National Gallery, National War Memorial, etc. If you are staying longer in the country, and want to see some wilderness, then Canberra\'s proximity to the NSW South Coast, NSW ski fields, and the Kosiuosko, Budawangs and Namadgi National Parks should make it worth considering as a base of operations.
One of the Australian Capital Territories (ACT) most popular tourist places is the Namadgi National Park situated just south of Canberra. For travellers between Cooma and Canberra Namadgi provides a rewarding scenic detour through majestic mountain terrain.
The park sits on the northern end of the Australian Alps with snowfalls likely in the winter months, mainly on the higher areas of the Brindabella and Bimberi Ranges.
Namadgi has a wide variety of flora and fauna in habitats ranging from grassy green valleys to stunning mountains shrouded with snow gums and bold granite outcrops. Kangaroos, wallabies, and wombats can be seen throughout the park. Commonly seen birds include magpies, crimson rosellas, pied currawongs, Australian Ravens and the spotted quail-thrush.
Aboriginal paintings which were painted over a period of hundreds or possibly thousands of years can be seen at Yankee Hat Rock. The close grouping of art and ceremonial sites in the Namadgi ranges suggests this area was of special significance to Aboriginal people.
170 km of marked walking trails cover the park allowing Bushwalkers to really appreciate the beauty of Namadgi. Stunning wilderness await the more experienced bushwalker prepared to venture into the remote areas of the park. All parties planning to visit the remote areas should be well prepared and record details of their trip in the bushwalking registers located at the visitor centre and elsewhere in the park.
Camping grounds with toilets are located at Orroral and Mt Clear. There is a three night limit and bookings may be made at the Visitor Centre. Picnic areas are located beside most roads some with fireplaces and toilets.
Population: 20.090.400 Languages: English 79%, native and other languages Currency: Australian dollar Currency code: AUD Local Times: Australia - Australian Capital Territory - Canberra
Australia - New South Wales - Sydney
Australia - Tasmania - Hobart
Australia - Western Australia - Perth
Country Dialling Code: +61 Voltage: 240V 50Hz Electrical plugs:
Australia, officially called the Commonweath of Australia, is a country in the southern hemisphere comprising the continental mainland (the smallest of the World\'s continents).
The continent of Australia, with the island state of Tasmania, is approximately equal in area to the United States (excluding Alaska and Hawaii). Mountain ranges run from north to south along the east coast, reaching their highest point in Mount Kosciusko (7,308 ft; 2,228 m). The western half of the continent is occupied by a desert plateau that rises into barren, rolling hills near the west coast. The Great Barrier Reef, extending about 1,245 mi (2,000 km), lies along the northeast coast. The island of Tasmania (26,178 sq mi; 67,800 sq km) is off the southeast coast.
It may be one of the world's most ancient lands with its mystical red centre and brooding rock formations, but Australia is also characterised by its youthful energy, its freshness and its \'no worries\' philosophy.
Most of the population lives within a few miles of the beach and with the working day beginning and ending early, it\'s not uncommon to see city slickers out of their suits and into the surf come 4.30pm.
In high summer many families will enjoy a simple backyard barbecue several times a week.
The 22-hour journey means most European people visit for at least a couple of weeks, allowing time for all that the country has to offer, including its chic cities, terracotta desert, lush bush and magical ocean reefs.
But the sheer size of Australia means that one visit is unlikely to be enough.
The most popular attractions are undoubtedly Uluru (Ayers Rock), the Great Barrier Reef and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, but there are now more subtle incentives for a visit.
The wonderful fusion cuisine, the café society, the burgeoning art, culture and fashion scene, and the very real possibility of being the only person for miles around all conspire to make it a wholly alluring experience.
Australia is politically divided into six states and two territories, each one offering a different experience for the traveller. There is the drama of the remote \'Outback\', the colourful spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef and its coral islands, the excitement of the cosmopolitan cities, the sun and surf at some of the best beaches in the world, and the tropical rainforests of Western Australia. The list is endless in this diverse land of adventure, which boasts 2,000 national parks and 14 World Heritage-listed areas, along with more than 7,000 beaches.
Australia is a land of character too, with its melting pot of cultures. For more than 50,000 years the Aboriginal people lived and thrived in the continent\'s unique environment. It is believed the Aboriginals are the world\'s oldest civilisation, and in recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in keeping the Aboriginal culture alive and flourishing.
The vast continent at the bottom of the world was the last landmass to be discovered by European explorers. Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770 and sparked off generations of emigration to Australia, which for some time served as a penal colony. It was not until 1860 that two explorers - Robert Burke and William Wills - became the first Europeans to cross Australia from south to north. The country remains a magnet for modern explorers and adventurers and has a great deal to offer tourists and holidaymakers.
Much of the information contained within the travel guides and other sections on this website are subject to change at short notice and
travellers are urged to verify information on which they are relying with relevant authorities. Traveleye cannot be held responsible for any loss or
inconvenience as a result of information above.
