How do I get around Canberra?

Get a MyWay card for Transport Canberra buses and the light rail, which runs from Gungahlin to the city centre. Canberra is spread out and built for driving, so many people get a car, but cycling is genuinely good here thanks to a large network of paths.

Which areas are good for newcomers in Canberra?

Braddon and the city centre are the most walkable and social. Belconnen and Woden are established town centres with their own shops and transport. Gungahlin is newer and on the light rail line, and Kingston sits by the lake.

What kind of work is there in Canberra?

The public service is the largest employer by far, alongside universities, research, health and defence. Many Australian Public Service roles require citizenship, so check the eligibility line on a job ad before applying.

What is the weather like in Canberra?

Canberra has the most extreme range of any Australian capital. Summers are hot and dry, often above 35 degrees. Winters are genuinely cold, with frost most mornings and occasional fog, though snow in the city itself is rare.

Is Canberra a good place to arrive without a car?

It is manageable if you live near the light rail or a town centre, but harder than in Sydney or Melbourne. Cycling is a real option here because the path network is extensive and the city is flat in parts.

New in the city

New in Canberra

Canberra is a planned city built around a lake, with bush at the edge of every suburb. It is quieter than the coastal capitals and it pays better than most of them, which is a trade a lot of newcomers end up happy with.

Last updated 6 August 2026

Getting around

Canberra runs on the MyWay card across Transport Canberra buses and the light rail line from Gungahlin into the city centre. The city was designed around cars, so it is more spread out than its population suggests, and buses can be slow across town.

The compensation is cycling. Canberra has one of the best off road path networks in the country, and plenty of people commute year round on a bike. If you are arriving without a car, pick a home near the light rail or one of the town centres and the rest works.

Where newcomers live

Braddon and the city centre: the most walkable and social part of Canberra, with bars, food and the light rail on the doorstep.
Belconnen and Woden: established town centres with their own shopping, services and bus interchanges. More affordable, more suburban.
Gungahlin: newer, growing fast, and at the end of the light rail line.
Kingston and Barton: close to the lake and the parliamentary area, quieter and more expensive.

Canberra's rental market is tight and moves with the university calendar, so late January and February are the hardest months to find a place. Our guide on renting your first home covers what agents will ask for.

Finding work

Canberra is a government town. The Australian Public Service is the largest employer, followed by universities, research institutes, health and defence. Salaries run higher than the national average and unemployment is usually lower.

One thing to know before you apply: many Australian Public Service roles are restricted to Australian citizens, and some require a security clearance. Job ads state this clearly, so read the eligibility section first rather than after writing the application. Outside government there is steady work in hospitality, retail, health and construction. Our guide on finding your first job covers resumes and what employers expect.

The rhythm of the year

Canberra has real seasons, which is unusual in Australia. Summer is hot and dry. Autumn is the best of it, with cold mornings, still days and the trees turning. Winter is properly cold by Australian standards, with frost on the grass most mornings and fog in the valleys. Spring brings the wind and the flowers.

The snowfields and the South Coast beaches are both about two hours away, which makes weekends here better than the city's reputation suggests.

Meeting people

Canberra is small enough that you run into people, and full enough of new arrivals that nobody thinks twice about it. A large share of the city moved here for a job or a degree, so the question "where were you before?" is completely normal.

Sports clubs, the universities, and the food and market scene around Braddon and Kingston are the usual starting points. Nyvo helps with the rest. Open the community feed and events for your part of Canberra and find people who arrived around the same time you did.

First steps that help

Open an Australian bank account, apply for a Tax File Number, get a local phone number, and enrol in Medicare if you are eligible.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get around Canberra?: Get a MyWay card for Transport Canberra buses and the light rail, which runs from Gungahlin to the city centre. Canberra is spread out and built for driving, so many people get a car, but cycling is genuinely good here thanks to a large network of paths.
Which areas are good for newcomers in Canberra?: Braddon and the city centre are the most walkable and social. Belconnen and Woden are established town centres with their own shops and transport. Gungahlin is newer and on the light rail line, and Kingston sits by the lake.
What kind of work is there in Canberra?: The public service is the largest employer by far, alongside universities, research, health and defence. Many Australian Public Service roles require citizenship, so check the eligibility line on a job ad before applying.
What is the weather like in Canberra?: Canberra has the most extreme range of any Australian capital. Summers are hot and dry, often above 35 degrees. Winters are genuinely cold, with frost most mornings and occasional fog, though snow in the city itself is rare.
Is Canberra a good place to arrive without a car?: It is manageable if you live near the light rail or a town centre, but harder than in Sydney or Melbourne. Cycling is a real option here because the path network is extensive and the city is flat in parts.