All the strange parts that make up the city with the world's highest standard of living
A lot of Antipodeans don’t realise this, but Australia’s capital city is not Sydney. It’s Canberra -- the fair city that was man-made by a designer and his wife directly between Sydney and Melbourne because the two cities were fighting over the honour too much.
This is a city that conspiracy theorists believe has occult symbolism built into its design, making it quite literally a hell mouth. A city you really can’t call a city because it's covered in bushland and only has a population of 356,585 people.
But despite its eccentricities, the 'Bra has once again been placed first in a list of cities with the highest quality of living. What makes the “city” so unique? Let’s count the ways.
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Roundabouts
Canberra is a diabolical maze of roundabouts. The thousands of awkward concrete circles littering the road is basically a tourist attraction in its own right, at this stage.
Moths
There are more bogong moths in Canberra than there are people. They will fly in your face and out of your handbag when you least expect it. In fact, the Ngunnawal people Indigenous to the area used to enjoy them as food source. So it you’re feeling peckish, go for it.
Parliament buildings
There’s no escaping these eye-sores. They’re the reason Canberra exists after all. If you’re into really '70s colour palettes and brutalist, concrete structures, you can’t miss them. Coincidentally, the city's comparative abundance of pornography and sexual services is located just over the hill from Parliament House, in the industrial suburb of Fyshwick.
Emos
Canberra is full of them. Approach with caution! All that high quality of living makes them angsty.
Places of learning
Now we’re talking. Being the capital, this place has some killer art galleries, museums and libraries. As a bonus, staying inside all day and sorting through the dewy decimal system is a great way to pretend you’re somewhere else.
House parties
Okay, it’s definitely not all bad. There’s house parties. After all, when you live in the most satanic city ever, you have to make your own fun. Expect to find local bands playing, beer bongs and an assortment of university students.
In conclusion, it’s not gay Paris but Canberra does just fine. Do your thing, girl! Ignore the haters.
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Jerico Mandybur is the editor of Mashable Australia. Previously, she worked as a digital editor at SBS, Oyster Mag, MTV and ASOS. Tweet her at @jerico_m.
