SPORTS & LEISURE

If you’re into sport, Canberra is the place for you. As well as being home to many of Australia’s sporting heroes (and their training ground, the Australian Institute of Sport), Canberra fields top teams in rugby league and rugby union, basketball, netball and hockey.

But it’s not just spectator sport. Canberrans have the highest participation rate in sports of any State or Territory. There are 10 golf courses and great facilities for other sports, from tennis to touch football, from cricket to croquet.

If outdoor pursuits are your thing, look no further than the picturesque bushland that surrounds the city. Mountain biking is huge here, with challenging rides available for the adventurous. The Department of Territory and Municipal Services can give you more information about forests, parks and reserves in the bush capital, as well as sport and recreation facilities.

Bushwalking, sailing on Lake Burley Griffin, or exploring the city bike paths might be more to your taste. The ski slopes are just two hours away and the South Coast is less than a two-hour drive.