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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the ACT, the Ngunnawal people and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.

Imagine yourself in a city where things are just easier. Where there’s always plenty to do, and the time to enjoy it.

Great community feel

Canberra is a great place to build a new life or raise a family. Our city offers accessible outdoor and natural spaces, a safe environment and an outstanding education system. Canberra gives you back time to do the things you choose. Because you don’t spend hours in traffic, you gain time to be with those you love most. Work life balance is the real deal here.

We’re the most physically active community in Australia. Sport and recreational activities are a highly prized part of our lifestyle. Our extensive network of cycleways and footpaths make getting outdoors enjoyable and safe.

We’re keen supporters of our elite sporting teams too. The Canberra Raiders, Brumbies, UC Capitals and others enjoy loyal and enthusiastic Canberra supporters.

We also know the value of giving. We have the highest rate of volunteering in the country. Many of us willingly offer our time and skills to benefit others. We volunteer with sporting clubs, at community events, in schools and for charities. We understand that it takes many to build and maintain healthy and resilient individuals, communities and natural environments.

Close to everything

All you need for a comfortable life is within easy reach. You’re only ever 30 minutes’ drive from the city and each of the suburban town centres is lively with cafes, shops and services.

We’re lucky to be just a short drive from coastlines, ski-fields and big-city bustle when an escape is needed.

Living in Canberra gives you easy access to:

  • The picturesque Brindabella mountains to our west.
  • Sydney, an easy three-hour drive to our north.
  • Ski-fields and the stunning Snowy Mountains region to our south.
  • Stunning coastline and NSW south Coast beaches two hours east.

Welcoming and multicultural

We welcome people from across Australia and all around the world. More than 26% of Canberrans are from overseas. One in four speaks a language other than English.

This is a city where everyone belongs and can participate. We don’t just welcome people from other cultures — we celebrate with them. Canberrans enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of our multicultural city. The National Multicultural Festival is an annual highlight. And our beautiful embassies and high commissions are part of what makes this such an interesting place to live.

Australia’s leading destination for new ideas

Canberra brims with culture and art. We host some of the country’s top cultural attractions. This includes the National Gallery of Australia and Australia’s National Museum, and many more.

The local art scene is full and rich too. It’s bustling with artists, actors, musicians and writers. They work beside our thought leaders, academics and creatives. Canberra’s Design Festival celebrates the fact that design, creativity and originality are at our city’s core. That’s evident from our very beginnings. This is a designed and hand-picked capital city.

A new generation of Canberrans drives new precincts across the city. Restaurants, cafes, bars, wineries and breweries serve produce from Canberra and the region. Our food and wine industries compete with the best in the world.

Four friends sitting at a high table in a brewery laughing

Progressive and diverse

We’re proudly progressive. Canberra was the:

  • first jurisdiction in Australia to legislate marriage equality
  • first jurisdiction in Australia to celebrate our First Nations culture and community with a Reconciliation Day public holiday
  • first mainland state or territory to achieve 100% renewable energy

This city embraces innovation. Some of the most future-thinking companies in the world, from Google to Seeing Machines, choose Canberra as a test bed for new technology.

The Canberra Innovation Network nurtures our entrepreneurial and business-minded community. It helps launch clever and creative businesses that build on Canberra’s excellence in research and innovation.

See yourself in Canberra

We are a young city with big plans. We’re progressive, prosperous and deeply interested in the world around us.

There’s a place for you here. Your family too. And whatever you want to go after in life – we’ve got your back.

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Canberran Russ Brindley, co-owner of Sweet Bones cafe and bakery, and keen BMXer, has had a career that’s taken him across the world.

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For Indian-born Shashank Behl, moving to Canberra in 2015 was “an accident”.

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Laurence Kain

Founder of Foreshore Festival, Honky Tonks, Hippo Bar and Capital Brewing Co says: “I wanted to host the kinds of events that said, ‘You think we don’t know how to party in Canberra? Watch this.’”

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