Canberra, ACT - My Student Guide

City Info

City of Canberra, ACT

Capital of Australia and capital of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the eighth largest city in Australia. It was established in 1913 and named by Lady Denman.

Location

The city is located at the northern end of the ACT, 280 km from South-West of Sydney and 660km from north-East of Melbourne.

Canberra, ACT CBD

The CBD has plenty of cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the National Library of Australia.

Seasons

Winter
Jun to Aug
1°C - 12°C

Spring
Sep to Nov
6°C - 19°C

Summer
Dec to Feb
11°C - 24°C

Autumn
Mar to May
11°C - 19°C

Time

Eastern Daylight Time: GMT +11hours. Daylight Saving Time ends April 1st, starts October 7th

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in ACT within 5 metres of non-residential entrances, and between 5 to 10 metres at beaches, sporting stadiums, near children's playgrounds, at restaurants, bars or clubs either indoor or outdoors on-the-spot fines apply for breaches.

Post Office

City GPO Mon to Fri – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
* Some open on saturday 9:00 am to 12 noom

Population

390,000

Money

Notes or Bills
$5, $10, $20, $50, $100

Coins
5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2 (odd cents rounded to the nearest 5¢)

Education providers

CRICOS registered institutions for international students: 4 Public Universities, 4 University English Centres, 1 Vocational Colleges, 1 English Language Centres, 1 Private Schools

Electricity

240/250 volts/50Hz

Weather

Continental climate

Shopping

Mon-Wed: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thu (suburbs) & Friday (CBD): 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Banks

Mon-Thu: 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Some banks branches open Saturday morning 9:30 am – 12 noon

Explore

EXPLORE CANBERRA

Canberra is Australia’s capital, inland from the country’s southeast coast. Surrounded by forest, farmland and nature reserves, it earns its nickname, the “Bush Capital.” The city’s focal point is Lake Burley Griffin, filled with sailboats and kayaks. On the lakeshore is the massive, strikingly modern Parliament House, as well as museums including the National Gallery, known for its indigenous art collections.

The lake’s northern shore is home to Commonwealth Park (host to the annual celebration of spring, the Floriade), the Australian War Memorial and the eclectic National Museum of Australia. Nearby, both Black Mountain and Mt. Ainslie have nature trails and sweeping views that reveal the city’s geometrical layout. Sunday’s Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston showcase work by local designers and craftspeople. At the town’s edge are NASA’s Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and Namadgi National Park, a mountainous region that’s part of the Australian Alps.

Main attractions include:

Parliament House
Australian War Memorial
Lake Burley Griffin
Questacon
National Galley of Australia
National Museum of Australia

Weekly markets selling quality fashion, art, handcrafts, fresh produce, etc.

(Courtesy of Wikipedia & Google)

EXPERIENCE THE LIFESTYLE IN CANBERRA

www.visitcanberra.com.au/
www.kidsafensw.org/
www.volunteeringaustralia.org

Transport

Canberra Airport

https://www.canberraairport.com.au
https://www.canberraairport.com.au/travellers/parking-transport/action-buses/
C 8 Kms approx. to CBD
15 minutes (allow more time for peak traffic hours)

Getting around

It is important to learn about all the public transport modes around Canberra.The cheapest and more convenient way to go around is get a MyWay card which you can use on buses see http://www.transport.act.gov.au/myway-and-fares/mywayguide. You can also purchase a ticket when boarding the bus. The closer your destination, the cheaper the fare is.

Useful tips

Students doing VET (Vocational programs) and Higher Education (University courses) can obtain discount in public transport. See www.transport.act.gov.au/myway-and-fares/myway-faq If you are entitled to Student discount, carry your student ID card with you at all times.
If you are travelling late at night on weekends, find out if there is a night route that goes near your destination as some routes are not scheduled on weekends.
Disabled and elderly people as well as pregnant women have priority seating.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in public transport or in taxis.
Always make sure that you have your Discount Card topped up.

WALKING

is a healthy alternative for transport. When crossing a street, wait for the green pedestrian icon. Do not walk or run over a red pedestrian light.

BUSES

sure you hail the bus so the driver stops to pick you up! Always touch on at the beginning of the trip and then off at the end of trip before you leave the bus. The fare you pay for the trip depends on how far you travel (zones) and also the time of the day. Always keep a bus time table in your wallet. Or go to www.transport.act.gov.au/routes-and-timetables/timetables. Remember that times for the above services change on weekends and designated holidays.

RIDE A BIKE

To cycle you must wear a helmet at all times and follow the road rules.

TRAINS

Each train line has a distinctive colour in the map and on the screens at the station to help you find your way easily.

RIDING A MOTORCYCLE

Always wear a helmet. It is now required by law to have a special motorcycle license for models of a certain size. Check with Access Canberra at www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au/app/home#/transport.

DRIVING

We drive on the left side of the road. To drive in Australia, you need an English translation of your driver’s license. For driving rules in the Australian Capital Terrirory, check this link https://www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au. If you are going to drink alcohol, do not drive.

TAXIS

A safe mode of transportation in particular if you have been drinking after a party. You can pay the taxi fare with your credit card if you do not carry cash. Always ask for a receipt.

Public transport

Service name: Action: Bus
Timetable: http://www.action.act.gov.au/routes_timetables.html
Fares: http://www.transport.act.gov.au/myway/index.html
Location: 200 Scollay Street, Tuggeranong ACT 2900
Opening hours: Mon - Fri 7 am - 8 pm, Sat 8am - 8 pm, Sun 9 am- 5 pm
Service phone: 61 2 13 17 10
Website: http://www.action.act.gov.au/default.html

Private transport

Service name: Airport Express
Timetable: http://www.canberraairport.com.au/air_toAndFrom/bus.cfm
Fares: http://www.royalecoach.com.au/canberra_airport_shuttle.asp
Service phone: 61 2 1300 368 897
Website: http://www.canberraairport.com.au/air_toAndFrom/bus.cfm

Interstate transport

Service name: Country Link: Train
Timetable: http://www.countrylink.info/timetables
Fares: http://www.countrylink.info/book_your_trip
Opening hours: Callcentre: 6.30 am - 10.00 pm
Service phone: 61 2 13 22 32
Website: http://www.countrylink.info

Hospitals

IMPORTANT NOTE:

International Students must go to Public Hospitals as their Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) does not cover expenses in private hospitals.

Seeking Medical Assistance

Carry your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card with you at all times.
When visting the doctor, you will need to pay for their services (some doctors may bulk bill at no cost to you).
Keep all receipts so you can obtain reimbursement later.
All medical emergencies are covered by your Overseas Student Health Care (OSHC).
If you are unable to attend classes due to being sick, you should obtain a medical certificate from your doctor.