If you are planning a trip to the Australian Capital Territory, this page explains what the ACT includes, how it is governed and where Canberra, Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve fit within it.
What the ACT includes
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) includes Canberra, Australia’s national capital and the Territory’s main urban centre. Beyond Canberra, the ACT includes major natural areas such as Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
Canberra’s suburbs provide most accommodation, restaurants and visitor services. VisitCanberra’s neighbourhood guide describes different areas, and its getting-around guide covers travel within the city.
How the ACT is governed
The Commonwealth administered the ACT until self-government began in 1989. The Commonwealth Parliament selected the Yass-Canberra district in 1908, and New South Wales transferred authority over the Territory to the Commonwealth on 1 January 1911. The Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 took effect the following year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics outlines this history.
The ACT Legislative Assembly makes Territory laws and oversees public services. It manages state-level services, including health and education, as well as local services that councils manage elsewhere in Australia, such as waste collection. The Assembly therefore carries responsibilities that other jurisdictions divide between state and local governments.
Getting around Canberra
Choose a Canberra neighbourhood based on where you plan to stay and what you want to do. VisitCanberra’s neighbourhood guide compares areas for accommodation, dining, shopping and attractions.
For buses, light rail, walking, cycling, taxis and rideshare, see VisitCanberra’s guide to getting around Canberra. Check operator websites before travelling because timetables and fares change.
Namadgi and Tidbinbilla reserves
Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve are bushland reserves south-west of Canberra, with walking tracks, wildlife and cultural sites. ACT Parks manages both areas. See ACT Parks current alerts and park information for access, facilities and conditions.
Namadgi National Park covers 106,095 hectares of alpine, sub-alpine and mountain bushland on Ngunnawal Country. Its high-altitude sphagnum bogs support threatened species and release water gradually into the ACT water supply. The official park page lists walking tracks, recreation areas, ecology and visitor information. Severe weather and fire restrictions can close tracks, roads and recreation areas.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve protects wildlife and interprets the area’s heritage and cultural connections. Its learning pages explain how the reserve’s plan of management directs conservation work, visitor use and management zones. Rangers and wildlife officers run activities about local plants, animals, heritage and culture. The reserve’s history page provides further background.
Ngunnawal Country
Transport Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the traditional custodians of the ACT. The Ngunnawal Council provides information about Ngunnawal Country and culture.
Tidbinbilla’s learning programs include ranger- and wildlife officer-led activities on cultural connections and heritage. The reserve provides further information through its learning and history pages.