explore: Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), is a federal district in south eastern Australia and home to Canberra (Australia's Capital City) & Parliament House where the countries decisions are made.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is located 320 km (200 miles) south west of Sydney, and is completely surrounded by the state of New South Wales. However, Jervis Bay Territory, on Australia's eastern coast, is incorporated into it for administrative purposes.

Canberra was established in 1911 to create a capital for the newly federated country of Australia. Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne.

On 18 January 2003, bushfires that had been burning in a remote area west of Canberra broke containment lines and engulfed some of Canberra. About 500 homes where destroyed before a change in the weather brought the bushfire under control. The suburb of Duffy was hit hard, with approximately 200 homes destroyed. Four people died and many more were injured.