Australian Capital Territory

Canberra, the nation's capital, is an unusual city. Remote from other major centres of population it is set in the middle of the Monaro High Plains. It is isolated from the country it rules both emotionally and physically.

The main business is Government and most of the Australian Capital Territory's 308,100 residents work for the Federal Government in one way or another

A medium percentage of the city's population was born overseas in non-English speaking countries (15%, compared with Sydney 22% and Melbourne 23%). But, Canberra does have a core of much used Asian and other ethnic eateries centered around Dixon and Civic. It also has a number of late night bars catering to the courtiers of Government (Kingston) and more sedate cafes for normal dining hours (Manuka).

Temperature extremes limit outdoor dining to the warmer months.

*Smoking in enclosed public spaces, including restaurants, is banned in the ACT with some exceptions.