Hotels in Australian Capital Territory

A nation’s capital created little over a century ago, Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities. Surrounded by native bushland inhabited for over 20,000 years, Australian Capital Territory brings the buildings, monuments, and culture of a young nation together with a truly ancient heritage. A small city but easily accessible, Canberra and its surrounding wildlife are a great few days away, and a “must-see” for any tour of Australia.

Hotels in Australian Capital Territory

As you might imagine in a capital city built from scratch, there are many luxury hotels in Canberra. There are plenty of 4- and 5-star hotels just north of Lake Burley Griffin near the London Circuit and along Northbourne Avenue. There are few hotels below 3-star status, yet it is still easy to find budget hotels in Australian Capital Territory. There is one hotel within walking distance of Canberra Airport terminal—the Vibe Hotel Canberra Airport. However, with the airport being just 10 minutes’ drive from the city, hotels in the city centre will cause no problem for stopovers and early flights.

Things to see in Australian Capital Territory

As the capital city of Australia, Canberra is brimming with museums, monuments, and galleries. To the north of Lake Burley Griffin in the centre of the city, the Canberra Museum and Gallery displays regular exhibitions of art from the local region, and the National Museum of Australia paints a fascinating picture of the nation’s social history. South of the lake the focus turns to politics. Parliament House, famous for its contemporary architecture, and Old Parliament House, are both open to visitors. A short drive south of the city lie the beautiful national parks and nature reserves which make up most of the Australian Capital Territory. For a fascinating insight into the Aboriginal heritage of the region, take one of the Murumbung Yurung Murra Cultural Tours led by an Aboriginal ranger through the Namadgi National Park, including tours of ancient rock art and hands-on activities in tool-making, painting, and more.

Where to stay in Australian Capital Territory

The vast majority of hotels in Australian Capital Territory are within Canberra city, and within easy reach of the airport. Most visitors on business or a short break will appreciate a stay closer to the city centre, and the City West district offers Australian Capital Territory accommodation near the Australian National Convention Centre, one of the most important centres for business in the city. For a truly unique family holiday experience, spend the night inside the National Zoo and Aquarium. The Jamala Wildlife Lodge lies at the heart of the zoo, and its specially designed rooms allow guests to stay face to face with the animals.

How to get to Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Airport operates regular flights to most Australian cities. Air travel is the most efficient mode of direct transport, with 19 daily flights from Sydney taking 55 minutes, and 8 daily flights from Melbourne, taking just over an hour. Driving from Sydney is a viable option however, taking around 3 and a half hours on the M5 and M31 highways. Daily train services run from Sydney with a journey time upwards of 4 hours. If you want to travel in Australian Capital Territory on a budget, low-cost coaches run to Canberra from Sydney, Wollongong, Melbourne, and the South Coast, with services from Murrays or Greyhound.