Destination: Australian Capital Territory
General Things to Do Weather Time Health Education
Welcome
Our Canberra team extend a warm greeting to you and welcome you to our great nation and in particular, ACT.
If you intend to relocate to Australia and have not yet arranged for a home visit and customised moving quotation, please complete our online Contact Request Form. Once we receive your completed form, one of Wridgways experienced moving consultants will contact you, and arrange for a representative to visit you in your home, anywhere in the world. You will then receive a firm, customised moving quotation.
Wridgways offer comprehensive moving and relocation solutions. Not only can we provide moving, storage, insurance and packing services, we can also help you find a new home, temporary accommodation, deliver cultural transition programs, find suitable schools for your children and introduce you to your new city with our orientation service.. just to name a few. Contact our Canberra office or our Relocation division to find out more about our extensive services.
General
It's not all power and politics... Canberra is a modern city, which enjoys wide avenues, open parklands and services befitting its status as Australia's capital city. The city is located in the northern part of the Australian Capital Territory, 300 km southwest of Sydney and 650 km northeast of Melbourne by road and houses a population of 309,000.
It is the symbolic home of all Australians, reflecting attitudes, status and symbolism of Australian society, Australian culture and Australian diversity.
Things to do... Places to visit
The architecturally designed central area of Canberra, including the 'Parliamentary Triangle' takes advantage of magnificent views of Lake Burley Griffin. Visitors to this city find a wide variety of things to do and see, including its fine galleries, magnificent public buildings and the interesting architecture displayed in the city's 'embassy rows'.
As you approach Canberra, the first thing you see will mostly likely be the 81 metre flagmast of Parliament House. Looming above the lake atop Capital Hill, it's visible from most of the city's main approaches. It marks the place where Australian law began and where the drama of democratic government is played out each day. Parliament House belongs to the people of Australia and is open to the public seven days a week. Free guided tours are available or feel free to wander the public areas at your leisure.
While you would never see wild kangaroos hopping down the city streets of Sydney or Melbourne, they are regularly seen within minutes from the Canberra city centre. The locals refer to their home town as The Bush Capital, because it is a city based right in the middle of sheep country and only a twenty-minute drive to working sheep stations. Take time to visit Tralee Station and watch the skilled sheep shearers at work. You can see sheep dogs at work, shearing, wool classing, pressing and enjoy an Aussie barbeque complete with a mug of 'billy tea'.
When Australia's Federal Government moved to Canberra in 1927, Old Parliament House was its first home. Although the building was supposed to be its temporary home, Parliament continued to sit there until 1988. Take a step back into history, with FREE guided tours of the building and the amazing sound and light presentation. Whilst admiring this incredible building, you will come across the National Portrait Gallery. The Gallery boasts many of Australia's most famous artists' work including Australia's most famous faces.
Like the idea of bush walking? Then you must take time to visit Australia's highest mountain, Mt. Kosciuszko is only a couple of hours drive from Canberra. Mt Kosciuszko, forms part of the majestic Snowy Mountains. At 2228m above sea level, the top of Mt Kosciuszko is accessible to any reasonably fit person. You don't climb, you simply walk or in winter, you ski. Kosciuszko National Park is situated in southern New South Wales and it contains a large percentage of Australia's alpine habitate. Apart from the main mountains, the park also has great rivers, gorges and caves. Summer is excellent for walking after the Spring snows have melted.
"There's gold in them there hills!" The mid-1800's saw a massive population growth in Australia, mainly due to the 'Gold Rush' and those who came in search of the treasure. You can visit an active gold mine and try your hand at panning for your own gold at Bywong Gold Mining Town, a unique educational experience set on an authentic site, a town which existed from 1895 - 1906. It captures the hardship of our early settlers and effectively demonstrates their ingenuity and courage. The mine is open every day (except Christmas Day) and tours are available. Bywong Town is located 30 kms north of Canberra City, 5 km from the Federal Highway, making it an ideal location for stops by coaches coming in, or out, of the region. The Gold Town provides the perfect contrast to some of the more formal visits experienced in Canberra.
Visit these related sites:
» Welcome to Canberra
» Canberra Sights
» Lonely Planet - Canberra
Weather & Climate
Canberra enjoys mild summers, crisp springs, cool autumns and cool to cold winters.
The average daily temperature in Canberra during the summer months, is 21 degrees celcius and 10 degrees celcius during the winter months.
Canberra's summer extends from December to February and is warm to hot. Autumn is mild and extends from March to May, winter is cold and extends from June to August and spring is usually variable but mostly mild and extends from September to November.
The warmest Canberra months are generally January and February, which are often dry and can rise up to the mid 30 degree Celsius range. As compared to the other extreme, June and July are the coldest months and October is the wettest.
Time
ACT is on Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT +10 hours). Daylight Savings Time is in effect in ACT from early spring to early autumn, during which time clocks are set forward one hour (GMT +11). Australian states and territories have varying policies on Daylight Savings so double-check when you're crossing state lines.
Health
Australia offers a high standard of medical care and facilities. All cities offer privately funded doctors surgeries, hospitals and clinics as well as Government funded facilities. Most Australians are covered by private health insurance to avoid the long waiting periods associated with certain treatments, but many also enjoy the government funded public health system referred to as Medicare.
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme and provides access to free treatment in a public hospital and free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists. Australia's public hospital system is funded jointly by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and is administered by State or Territory health departments. Contribution to the health care system is made through taxes and a Medicare levy which is based on taxable income.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
People who reside in Australia are eligible if they meet any of the following four criteria:
- they hold Australian citizenship
- they have been issued with a permanent visa
- they hold New Zealand citizenship, or
- they have applied for a permanent visa, restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply).
However, for new arrivals to Australia it is interesting to know that The Commonwealth Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries. Under these arrangements, residents of these countries are entitled to restricted access to health cover while visiting Australia. For further information,
» visit the Medicare website
Ambulance services are offered Australia-wide and provide emergency services, clinical care, paramedic training and non-emergency transport. It is among the best in the world in providing state-of-the-art emergency care.
The state government provides free services to some pensioners and Senior Card holders, however, this service is generally not free of charge in Australia. It is suggested you contact your state ambulance authority and discuss the option of membership subscription with them as soon as possible.
» Ambulance ACT
Dental services are extensive in Australia and dentists operate within private practices in most communities throughout the country. Dental services are not free, but can be partly or completely covered within a private health fund membership or dental protection plan.
To obtain details of your closest dentist, visit:
» www.dentist.com.au or
» Dental Services Australia.
Further information about Health in Australia, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Public Health System in Australia
» Medicare public health system
» Private Health Insurance Administration Council of Australia
Education
The school system in Australia is divided into two sectors; government-run or "free-of-charge" public, education system and the independent or "private" education system.
ACT state schools are coeducational. Children may begin their education with kindergarten and/or preschool, in preparation for primary school. Preschool provides a year of non-compulsory education, for four and five year olds.
By law, children must attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. Primary school is the first compulsory stage and covers Years 1 to 7. Children usually commence Primary school in the year of their sixth birthday and continue this level of education for seven years.
After completing Primary school, most children attend secondary or commonly referred to as High school. High school offers years from Years 8 through to 10, children often commence their High school education aged between 12 and 13 years. On completing Year 10, students have the option of continuing to Years 11 and 12 or leaving school.
The school year usually runs from late January to mid-December. It is divided into two semesters, with two terms in each and vacation breaks for Easter, winter, spring and summer.
Secondary Schools
Choosing a secondary school for your child can be a daunting task, particularly if you are moving from an overseas country. For parents who are new to Australia, it may be difficult to know what questions to ask to make an informed decision.
If you require assistance with school searches, please contact our Canberra office or our Relocation Division. We also suggest you visit the numerous education websites available for further details, please see links provided below. We hope it will help you as parents, make the important decision your child's secondary education.
We suggest that before you begin your school search, you clearly establish what your educational priorities and educational requirements, for your child are. Consider the individual personality, strengths, weaknesses, skills, likes, dislikes and needs of your child. This will enable you to create a clear picture of the kind of school that will reflect your educational values and will best suit your son or daughter.
The ACT secondary school year is broken into two semesters and four terms. Semester 1 commences in January and concludes in June and Semester 2 commences in July and concludes in December
If you are planning to transfer to ACT from interstate or overseas you, or your school, will be required to provide the school principal with all school reports and certificates, as evidence of your child's previous schooling and level achieved.
Further information about the full range of ACT's education services, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Canberra Schools on the Net
» University of Canberra
» Canberra Secondary College
» School Search
What does education cost?
ACT State schools generally do not charge annual tuition fees. The parents and citizens' associations of most schools, however, do request that parents/caregivers donate a financial contribution. The amount varies from school to school. In most schools, parents are responsible for providing such items as stationery and uniforms. Parents also bear the costs of sending their children on school excursions and to camps and for participating in extracurricular activities.
Private school fees vary from approximately AUD$1,000-$6,000 per year for Catholic and smaller private schools and up to AUD$5,000-12,000 for the larger private schools.
Further information about the full range of Education ACT services is available at
» ACT Education
