Canberra. It’s waiting for you at the end of the rainbow.

Finally, photographic evidence that Canberra is the pot of gold waiting for Australian visitors at the end of the rainbow.

All too often, tourists and migrants alike complain about Australia’s Capital Territory, shrugging off the city as boring. “Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have any graffiti-lined alleyways, enough cafes, any swank bars or funky places to eat, much live music or a cool post-communist chic a la Berlin. Apparently there also isn’t anything to do. But it does have some perks” writes ANU’s Mark Fabian in a detailed description of what’s great about Canberra:

“For starters, it has the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, among others, which feature works from artists who are a touch more talented than your average graffitist. It hosts the Groovin the Moo music festival annually (Dizzee Rascal headlining this year) and a live music scene that is easy to plug into…

Next up is the environment—you’re in the Bush Capital. There are deciduous European trees on the streets and native wildflowers in the yards that make the city an ocular feast in autumn and spring. You can reach a nature reserve in ten minutes by bike from just about anywhere. You can drive to a national park in fifteen. If in the suburbs you’ll occasionally find a kangaroo mowing the grass of a backyard. But sure, if you prefer concrete, bad air, living in a shoebox and exercising in a gym where everyone’s body odour is recycled through the air conditioning maybe you’d be better off in New York…

You can drive to a national park in fifteen minutes.

Yet people still say there isn’t anything to do. Perhaps they mean there isn’t much nightlife. But if your idea of “something to do” is going to a dark room full of strangers to pay overprice to drink poison and talk about the same stuff you always talk about then I’m suspicious you’re boring, not Canberra.”

Due to the limited nightlife in Canberra, visitors must instead engage in activities. Crazy. You need to be interesting if you want to stay captivated by Canberra. You need to have hobbies and opinions to enjoy this remarkable city, and there are hundreds of activities and fun things to do for those who seek them.

From ballooning and bushwalking, to culture, history, Indigenous heritage, politics, art, sport, flora and fauna, not to mention the national celebrations, Canberra is Australia’s secret pot of gold. But only those who are truly ready to embrace all the city has to offer will reap the rewards.

Don’t travel to this city if you’re traveling for the nightlife. Don’t migrate here to keep on top of the latest trends. Travel here for your love of the outdoors, for discovering Australia’s true natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Migrate here to be judged on your interpersonal skills, honesty and character.

Canberra is often judged as being boring, but at the same time, Canberra is judging you as to whether or not you’re in fact the boring one. 

Check out Visit Canberra for what’s happening in the territory.

 About Megan Claire

Megan is an Australian Journalist who has been travelling and blogging around the world for the last 7 years to inspire others to embark on their own worldwide adventure!  Her husband Mike is an American travel photographer, and together they have made the world their home.

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