Living in Canberra

Canberra, the nation's capital, offers all the benefits of city living in a rural environment. Surrounded by natural bushland, Canberra has consistently been named as one of the world's most liveable cities due to its vibrant lifestyle, full of culture and art and friendly locals. It is a multicultural city, with more than a quarter of its population born overseas.

Our school, Canberra Girls Grammar, is located in the leafy suburb of Deakin, just one kilometre away from Parliament House and within easy reach of Australia’s national institutions such as the National Library, Archives, Museum and the Australian War Memorial.

A great city for students
A warm welcome
Affordable lifestyle
A vibrant city
Central accommodation options

A great city for students

Canberra consistently ranks in the top 25 best student cities globally. Known as "the Knowledge Capital", Canberra attracts students from across Australia and the world to attend its world-class education and research institutions. Students from regional Australia or overseas who join our School, often benefit from the academic and extension pathways and programs that the School has in place with several top universities located in Canberra.

CGGS offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) and is authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Diploma Programme. We are also currently a candidate for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Our curriculum provides your daughter with ample opportunity to further her studies at one of Canberra's leading universities. Our students also have the opportunity to do research at the National Library of Australia or witness first-hand our democratic practices at Parliament House. They can visit galleries and museums featuring national and international collections and train with some of the best coaches at the Australian Institute of Sport.

A warm welcome

Canberra is an inclusive and safe city. With the highest average income and the lowest unemployment in Australia, crime rates are low. It is a city where students feel welcome and included and CGGS provides an environment that aligns with these values. We use a House-based system to introduce your daughter to students in her year group, and we organise activities for boarders to get to know one and other outside of the classroom. Boarders are transported around the city in the School's minibuses, so that they can participate in co-curricular activities away from the School campus on weekends.

Affordable lifestyle

Canberra has a lower cost of living than many other major Australia cities. CGGS is located within the heart of Canberra, in the leafy suburb of Deakin. Your daughter has easy access to a major shopping centre, supermarkets, a gym, cafes and many other affordable living necessities. Boarders are not expected to find their way on public transport, with the School's minibus service available to transport them around the city.

A vibrant city

Canberra enjoys a year-round calendar of festivals, and world-class arts, culture and entertainment. CGGS provides opportunities through our co-curricular activities to enjoy the cities extensive event calendar, either as an active participant or a casual observer. Canberra also boasts several of the nation's leading museums and art galleries, all accessible to our students through our weekend transport service.

Central accommodation options

Accommodation is available close to the School if required when boarders’ families visit, and they may take their daughter out, go to watch them play sport or play in a concert without having to travel far or get caught in heavy traffic.

Approximate travel times from the CGGS Senior School campus
3 hours to drive from Sydney.
2-hour drive to the beach (Batemans Bay).
2-hour drive to the snowfields (Thredbo).
11-minute walk to the local shops, supermarket, gym and cafes (Deakin Shops).
9-minute walk to Parliament House.
10-minute drive to shopping and cafes (Canberra Centre).
7-minute drive to shopping and cafes (Manuka Village).
5-minute drive to Lake Burley Griffin.