Australian Capital Territory Overview

Carved out of New South Wales in 1908, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was a geographic and political compromise between Sydney and Melbourne in the competition to serve as capital of the newly federated Australia. Although the ACT is not a fully qualified state, Canberra is the center and capital of the territory, not to mention the political heart of the country. The quiet metropolitan region is filled with neat commuter towns, creeping outward from Canberra toward the bush. The ACT’s fusion of cosmopolitanism and outback flavor promises visitors a truly capital look at high culture and government.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.