Why visit
Canberra is small. The National Gallery, Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, and Lake Burley Griffin. A weekend is enough before heading to Sydney or Melbourne.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Canberra is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Australia. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Canberra, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Australia better matches the trip style.
Canberra at a glance
City population
368k
Elevation
571 m
1,873 ft
Time zone
UTC+10 (UTC+11 DST)
Australia/Sydney
Airport
CBR
Canberra Airport
Australia at a glance
Country center
-27.0°, 133.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
7,692,024 km²
2,969,906 mi²
Country population
26.6 million
3/km²
Subregion
Australia and New Zealand
Currency
Australian dollar ($)
AUD
Dial
+61
Language
English
Demonym
Australian
Internet
.au
UN
Member state
ISO code
AU / AUS
Where in the world
-27.0° - 133.0°
Australia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Canberra was chosen as Australia's capital as a compromise between Sydney and Melbourne.
- The city was planned around Lake Burley Griffin and a strong geometric street layout.
- The name Canberra is usually traced to a Ngunnawal word meaning meeting place.
- Australia is the only country that occupies an entire continent.
- The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth: visible from space.
Traveler notes
- Multiple free national institutions
- Canberra balloon festival in March
- Most travelers skip it for Sydney. Don't entirely
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Canberra
What currency is used in Canberra?
Canberra uses the Australian dollar ($), ISO code AUD.
What languages are spoken in Australia?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for Australia?
The calling code is +61.
What airport serves Canberra?
Canberra Airport (IATA: CBR).
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