Spotlight on Canberra

No matter what the season, the national capital has an alluring energy, from floral displays to art.

- SAMANTHA TRENOWETH

All the seasons are writ large in Canberra. In summer, the sun beats down on its pavements and museums, while Canberran families wend their way to the coast. In budget season, the Senate Courtyard maple tree at Parliament House famously blazes red. In June, an icy wind whips down from Mount Ainslie, chilling politicians in mid-winter ball gowns. And in spring, the capital is a riot of colour – fairy-floss pink, magenta, red, yellow – as tulips jostle at the annual flower festival, Floriade.