Historical Origins: Australia’s Capital City
Although its capital city status is the result of a compromise, there is no settling when it comes to making Canberra your home. In 1908, a mutual concession was made between rival cities, Sydney and Melbourne, that the land upon which Canberra now rests would become the heart of the nation. The Australian government of the time instigated an international competition, attempting to draw exceptional designers and architects to the nation to create the ‘official and social centre of Australia’. The 12th March 1913 saw over 3,000 locals, and a number of other guests and troops, witness the naming of Canberra. It is likely that the name originated from a local word of Aboriginal origins meaning ‘meeting place’.
Connecting with Nature
In Australia’s capital, cooler temperatures meet breathtaking scenery, offering visitors a refreshing contrast to the country’s coastal cities. Canberra sits amid a landscape where nature is never an afterthought but a constant companion. While it hums with urban life, the city’s design intertwines seamlessly with the surrounding bushland, ensuring that native flora and fauna are always close at hand.
While still a bustling major city, you are never far from brilliant Australian wildlife. National Parks and Nature Reserves surround Canberra, with one such example being the ‘Australian Alps’. Namadgi National Park marries vibrant Aboriginal heritage with 106,095 hectares of dramatic mountain scenery and wild expanses of bushland making up 46% of the Australian Capital Territory. The park is both an ecological treasure and a cultural landmark, home to rich Aboriginal heritage sites, prehistoric rock art and long-established walking tracks.
Beyond Namadgi, Canberra’s everyday landscape is threaded with smaller nature reserves, wetlands and hills that make it easy to slip into the outdoors without leaving the city limits. Whether you prefer a lakeside stroll around Lake Burley Griffin or a multi-day alpine trek, Canberra invites you to reconnect with the land. Here, the line between city and wilderness blurs, leaving visitors with a sense of space, quiet, and belonging that few capitals in the world can match.
Aboriginal Culture
As Australia’s capital is on Ngunnawal Country, Canberra weaves First Nations storytelling into its national institutions and into everyday life. A world of discovery awaits you at the National Gallery of Australia, home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, made up of over 7500 works. Hours can fly by exploring rooms filled with ancient bark paintings, aboriginal dot work and contemporary pieces from across the nation, with 3 hectares filled with the sculpture garden offering serene views over Lake Burley Griffin.
The National Museum of Australia, also perched on the lake’s shores, reveals poignant stories of First Nations history through exhibitions such as Talking Blak to History, a powerful insight into the aftermaths of colonisation, the loss and grief faced by the Stolen Generations and the resilience of aboriginal culture.
Beyond these icons, everyday Canberra pulses with Aboriginal creativity at neighbourhood markets and galleries. These examples offer a thoughtful gateway to Australia’s deepest roots, blending ancient wisdom with modern expression in a city that feels both monumental and welcoming.
Moving to Canberra
Relocating to Canberra appeals to many people moving from abroad who want a slower pace, and lower cost of living, than Sydney or Melbourne but still crave city comforts, career options and culture. Canberra consistently ranks highly for quality of life, with short commutes, clean air, and easy access to nature all woven into daily routines. In fact, in 2025, the city was names as the best city in the world for quality of life by Oxford Economics. Further, it was placed at the top of the list of Australian cities for: income equality, life expectancy, income per person and housing expenditure.
For new residents, the city feels welcoming from day one: public transport is straightforward and there is a strong presence of international workers and students around the government precincts and universities. While English is the dominant language, a multicultural community means you will hear many languages and find diverse food, festivals and community groups.
Practicalities are also relatively smooth once visas and entry requirements are in hand, a task which Taylor Hampton’s Emigrate to Australia department can help with. New residents typically focus first on securing rental accommodation, setting up a local bank account and phone, and arranging healthcare and schooling if moving with children. Government services provide guidance on tasks ranging from updating your address, enrolling to vote when eligible, obtaining a local driver’s licence and many others.
From a lifestyle perspective, Canberra suits those who enjoy four distinct seasons, outdoor activities and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Many ex-patriates are drawn by work in the public sector, universities, defence, healthcare or tech, and then stay for the ease of weekend bushwalks, lakeside cycling paths and the feeling of space rarely found in other global capital cities.
Working in Canberra
Working in Canberra often means combining career progression with a lifestyle that feels more balanced than in larger Australian cities. The job market is diverse but strongly anchored by the public sector, education, health and professional services, which together account for a large share of employment in the Australian Capital Territory.
The private sector is sizeable and growing, with thousands of small and medium businesses providing opportunities in areas such as tech, consulting, trades, hospitality and creative industries. Canberra’s wages are often higher than the national average, helped by the concentration of professional roles and public sector positions. This can offset the relatively high cost of living and housing, especially for skilled workers in in-demand areas like IT, healthcare, engineering, education and finance.
Day-to-day, working life is shaped by short commutes, flexible working arrangements and a strong café culture that supports a pleasant rhythm of meetings, lunches and after-work socialising. For many professionals, the ability to finish work and be on a lakeside cycle path or bush trail within minutes is just as important as the job title, making Canberra attractive for those who want career momentum without sacrificing time and space.
