Compact, cultured and green, Canberra can sometimes be overlooked as a great student city – but it really shouldn’t be. Home to renowned universities the Australian National University (ANU) and the University of Canberra (UC), the nation’s capital offers a first-class student experience without the hustle and bustle of larger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney. Located just two hours from the coast and surrounded by natural beauty, Canberra is the best of both worlds: a cosmopolitan city nestled within the iconic Aussie bush.
An aerial view of Canberra from Belconnen in the morning. Credit: iStock The city’s arts scene is to die for, with access to incredible galleries and museums such as the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery all within a few kilometres of each other. History buffs can immerse themselves in the Australian War Museum and various other political landmarks, while the great outdoors – featuring waterfalls, gorges, forests and snow-capped mountains just a 45-minute drive from the city – will enchant all.
For students, this makes choosing which suburb to live in pretty easy: you’re guaranteed access to both nature and culture in close proximity. But, as with all things, there are better locations for those interested in living the true student life (read: great bars and near uni), so we’ve rounded up some great options below. CANBERRA CENTRAL/CIVIC More of a district than a suburb, Canber.
