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The Australian
Capital
Territory
(ACT) was
established in
1911 to create
a capital for
the newly
federated
country of
Australia.
Some 2330
square
kilometres
(900 square
miles) was set
aside, 53 per
cent of which
today remains
nature park or
reserve.
Canberra,
the urban
centre of
the ACT, is
a thriving
modern city
of 325,000
people with
stylish
restaurants,
hip bars,
boutique
shopping,
fun for the
kids and a
busy
calendar of
events and
festivals.
The
surrounding
rural areas
and
stretches of
natural bush land
are
home to
charming
rural
townships
such as
Tharwa and
Hall,
award-winning
wineries,
and stunning
nature
parks.
Just 45
minutes
drive from
the city is
Tidbinbilla
Nature
Reserve
which offers
walking
trails,
ranger-guided
activities,
Australian
animals in
their
natural
habitat,
delightful
wildflowers
during
spring and
rich
Indigenous
and pioneer
heritage.
Namadgi
National
Park, also
45
minutes’
drive from
the city at
the northern
end of the
Australian
Alps, is
perfect for
a picnic or
bushwalk on
the numerous
marked
trails, or
to
experience
native flora
and fauna
and enjoy
spectacular
wildflowers
in spring.
The
Indigenous
rock art and
Aboriginal
shelters are
easily
accessible.
Camping is
possible in
pleasant
bushland
settings
with fishing
and horse
riding
permitted in
designated
areas.
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