A kids’ guide to Canberra

This article, A kids’ guide to Canberra, is for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn new vocabulary, and discover fun facts about Canberra, the capital city of Australia. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced writer and EFL teacher.

An introduction to Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia, a country in the southern hemisphere. It is located between Australia’s two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. Even though it is smaller than both of them, Canberra is the political heart of the nation and home to the Australian government.

Facts about Canberra

• Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
  
• Language: English
  
• Flag: Mainly blue and gold, with white stars and a symbol of a castle
  
• National animal: The red kangaroo (Australia’s national animal)

What’s Canberra famous for?

Canberra is best known as the capital city of Australia. It is where you’ll find Parliament House, where the country’s leaders meet. It is also famous for its museums, galleries, and beautiful natural surroundings. The city was carefully planned in the early 1900s, which is why it has wide roads, parks, and man-made lakes.

Cool places to visit in Canberra

• Parliament House: A striking building where important decisions are made. Visitors can even see the debating chambers.
  
• Australian War Memorial: A museum that tells the story of Australia’s history in wars, with interactive displays.
  
• Questacon: A fun science and technology centre with hands-on experiments that kids love.
  
• Lake Burley Griffin: A huge man-made lake in the centre of the city where people walk, cycle, or go sailing.

What’s on the menu?

Canberra’s food reflects the mix of cultures in Australia. Popular dishes include:

• Vegemite on toast: A salty spread that locals love, though visitors often find it unusual.
  
• Lamingtons: Soft sponge cakes covered in chocolate and coconut.
  
• Pavlova: A sweet dessert made with meringue, cream, and fruit, often enjoyed at celebrations.

What do people wear?

Canberra has a modern style of dress, similar to other Australian cities. People wear casual clothes like T-shirts, shorts, and trainers, especially in summer. In winter, it can get quite cold, so warm coats and scarves are common. For special occasions, people may dress in more formal clothing.

Fun facts for kids about Canberra

• Canberra was chosen as the capital in 1908 because Sydney and Melbourne could not agree which should have the title.
  
• The name “Canberra” comes from an Aboriginal word meaning “meeting place”.
  
• The city was designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin.
  
• Canberra has four distinct seasons, unlike many Australian cities that are warm most of the year.
  
• Hot-air balloons are a common sight over Canberra, especially during the annual Balloon Spectacular.
  
• Lake Burley Griffin is artificial, it was created by damming the Molonglo River.

Article vocabulary list

• Capital – The main city of a country where the government is based
  
• Government – A group of people who run a country
  
• Debating – Discussing ideas in an organised way, often to make decisions
  
• Interactive – Something you can touch, play with, or take part in
  
• Artificial – Made by humans, not naturally occurring
  
• Spectacular – Something very impressive to see
  
• Festival – A special celebration or event

Comprehension questions

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