The Australian Capital Territory

G'day and welcome to my Australian Capital Territory information page. Here you will find some information about the territory of Australian Capital Territory, some sights (eventually) from around the state as well as links to other related sites.

In 1911, the Australian Government took possession of 2, 357km² of land from New South Wales (NSW) to form the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) as the site for the Australian national capital. That capital, Canberra, lies between Sydney, 307km north-east, and Melbourne 655km south-west. The majority of the population live and work in Canberra.

A second territory, at Jervis Bay, was acquired from NSW in 1915. This transfer was in accordance with the Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1908 which stated that the seat of government (ACT) should have access to the sea. The Jervis Bay territory was to be that access.

Jervis Bay has been used for defence activities, grazing, forestry, water catchment purposes, conservation and recreation. Its total area is 7360 hectares.

The ACT has three contrasting landforms. In the north, where urban development has taken place, it is a lowland of undulating hills including the floodplains of the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers, mostly below 600m. Beyond this are forested mountain slopes rising to 1200m divided by numerous tributaries of the Murrumbidgee. In the south and extreme west is an upland of steep ridges and mountain peaks rising above 1800m.

In the lowlands, extensive natural grass country has been covered by urban development, crops and introduced pasture grasses. Much of the plain is grassy woodland where eucalyptus trees dominate, but acacias (wattles) are common and casuarinas grow along the water courses. The largest hills are covered with dry sclerophyll forest of eucalyptus, and casuarinas. However, some of the natural forest has been replaced with plantations of exotic pines.

Animal life in the ACT is varied and interesting. The only egg-laying mammals in the world, the platypus and echidna, are locally common. Numerous species of marsupials, including possums, wombats and four species of kangaroos and wallabies can be seen. Significant reptile and amphibian fauna live in the region. No fewer than 263 species of birds have been recorded in the district, nearly a third of the total for Australia.

The lowland, including the city of Canberra, has an average annual rainfall of 630mm, unevenly distributed throughout the year. In most years there are light snowfalls in winter. Strong winds are frequent, mainly from the west and north-west. The mean maximum temperature in Canberra is 19.7°C, with the highest on record 42.2°C. The mean minimum is 6.9°C, with the lowest on record, -10°C.

On the mountain slopes the rainfall is higher but very uneven, due to variations of aspect.

The mountain ridges have an even higher rainfall which may reach 1500mm annually. During much of the winter the ground temperature is near or below freezing point. Snow falls frequently and may persist for some months.

Although Canberra is Australia's national capital, the private sector accounts for 52 per cent of the workforce in the territory.

Industries such as hospitality and tourism and advanced technology- including computing, electronics and communication - are having strong growth. Research and development activities are strongly represented, reflecting the solid research base provided by the various institutions in the ACT.

Tourism

Tourism is Canberra's major growth industry with more than 1.25 million visitors a year, staying more than one night in the national capital.

In order of popularity, the most visited attractions are Parliament House, the War Memorial, the National Gallery, Telecom Tower, and the Science and Technology Museum. Parliament House alone receives more than 1.25 million visitors annually and the Old Parliament House, re-opened at the beginning of 1993 is also a very popular attraction.

Tourist accommodation varies from international standard hotels, serviced partments and units to budget accommodation such as youth hostels, caravan parks and camping grounds.

Transport

Canberra is served by the major domestic airlines and feeder services from nearby provincial cities such as Goulburn. Long-distance buses and modern express trains run daily services to Sydney and Melbourne.

Canberra's internal transport system is based on a network of commuter buses. However, many residents prefer to travel by private cars, using the city's well developed wide roads and freeways.

The ACT flag features the southern cross on a blue background and the Canberra city crest on a yellow background.

Page maintained by Grant Schmarr,
Copyright © 1997-99 Grant Schmarr.
Created: 29th September 1997. Updated: 24th November 1999