Why Canberra, not Sydney or Melbourne?
Canberra is Australia’s capital because the newly united country chose a separate home for its national government instead of choosing Sydney or Melbourne. Rivalry between New South Wales and Victoria helped shape that compromise.
So the answer is not “pick the biggest or most famous city”. In 1901, six colonies joined together to form Australia. The new country needed a place for its national government. The National Capital Authority’s history explains why neither rival city got the permanent job.
The 100-mile rule was real
The Constitution, which sets out how the country is governed, required the new capital’s territory to be within New South Wales and at least 100 miles from Sydney—about 160 kilometres. Parliament would meet in Melbourne until the new capital was ready.
That did not mean “exactly halfway between Sydney and Melbourne”. The compromise was political; it was not a ruler placed between two dots on a map.
When did Canberra become the capital?
Three dates explain the different stages:
- 1908: Parliament selected the Yass–Canberra district.
- 12 March 1913: the city was officially named Canberra.
- 1927: federal Parliament moved from Melbourne to Canberra.
A location, a name and a working parliament did not arrive all at once. That is why different dates can appear in answers to this question.
Canberra was not the only candidate
More than 60 New South Wales centres were put forward. Dalgety was an earlier parliamentary choice before Yass–Canberra won support. The National Capital Authority’s account of the selection follows the debate over climate, water and access.
For your next quiz, remember the distinction: Canberra is the capital; Melbourne hosted the federal Parliament while it was being established. Try the World Capitals Quiz to spot other countries where the best-known city is not the answer.