Canberra Suburbs and Surrounding Areas

Numerous small suburbs, all of which have their own residential area and rank of shops, surround Canberra's city centre. Further behind these suburbs the urban area turns into bushland, this then extending into rocky ranges to the South and West and being cut off by the Murrumbidgee River flowing from Southeast to Northwest.

Along the river you will also find several homesteads, including Lanyon with the nearby Nolan Gallery and Cuppacumbalong. Here you can find out about history of the area before Canberra existed.

Canberra offers marvelous walks and bike rides both in the city and surrounding area. Several places to explore include Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve 45 km Southwest of the city, open everyday between 9.00am-6.00pm. Here you can walk around the bushland where you'll get to see plenty of wildlife. Namadgi National Park is in the South of ACT, with adventurous bushwalking among its numerous peaks, 8 of which are higher than 1700km.

South West of the city you will also find Mt. Stromlo Observatory hosting a 188cm telescope, and The Canberra Space Centre, both open from 9am - 4.30/5.00pm. To the Northwest you will come across Gold Creek. It is home to the National Dinosaur Museum and Australian Reptile Centre, both of which are open between 10.00am-5.00pm. For crafts and art visit Ginninderra Village, and the miniature English village of Cockington Green, next door. To discover about the history of mining head Northeast to Bywong Mining Town, open everyday from 10.00am-4.00pm.