
The Capital Country is perhaps the oldest established region in the whole of Australia. Geographically speaking, the Capital Country is the region in New South Wales that surrounds Canberra, which is the nation's most vibrant capital. It extends right from Young to Braidwood, then from Marulan to Jugiong. It encompasses the Southern Tablelands, the Southern Highlands, the cities of Goulburn and Queanbeyan, as well as the towns of Yass, Boorowa, Crookwell and Harden. It is only about an hour away from Canberra and a 3 to 4 hour drive from Sydney.
The region interestingly combines the energy and the vitality of urban Canberra with the calm and tranquillity of a rural landscape. Its proximity to nearby urbanized areas (Sydney and Melbourne) make Capital City ideal as a holiday destination. In fact, thousands and thousands of visitors from around the country, especially those coming from nearby urban cities, come to the Capital Country for a quick get-away from the hustles and the bustles of city life. This is a place where one can enjoy and revel in, to refresh the spirit and to revisit the rich past.
Capital Country is set in one of the country's most beautiful landscapes, fascinating nature, heritage and historical towns and villages, stunning waterways, and amazing country gardens. The villages and towns in Capital Country range from the quaint to the sophisticated with its surrounding areas mostly exuding a rural feel. Its weather conditions are mostly tropical and temperate, making it even greater as a holiday destination.
Tourists who come to the area can choose between delighting in the local fare, exploring the caves, visiting museums and galleries, mixing with the hospitable and friendly locals, enjoying the most scenic walks, helping out in one of the farmlands, exploring the early colonial buildings and enjoying its spring gardens. In fact, one of the favourite highlights in the region is its magnificent country gardens that come in all sizes and shapes, ranging from a few hanging bloom baskets to acres of open gardens landscaped in the most breathtaking way.
Each town in the Capital Country has different surprising things to offer. The towns of Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong have maintained its colonial charm where one can get amazed at their beautifully restored 19th century-old buildings and homes, wonderful parks and gardens. The historic Braidwood town is home to a number of interesting old churches, antique stores, old pubs and galleries. The town of Crookwell houses most of the region's scenic spots, while the town of Young is proudly known to be the Cherry Capital of Australia where visitors flock in to pick and pack them up.
Of course, Canberra itself is richly packed with landmarks that have national significance. The city boasts of its lively cultural calendar and its abundance in restaurants, cafes and delis that fit all tastes and preferences. To top these, with only just a short drive away, one can experience the quaint colonial villages and the fertile lands of the country.
The Bradman Museum in Bowral and the Crisp Galleries are must-see places to experience the region's rich culture. Its magnificent rain forests, the valleys of the Falls of Fitzroy, the Moreton National Park are attractive spots that draw in thousands of visitors each year. Furthermore, there are a wide variety of accommodation options to choose from depending on one's budget and liking - from hotels to motels, bed and breakfasts to apartments, and so on.