A second territory, at Jervis Bay, was acquired from NSW in 1915. This transfer was in accordance with the Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1908 which stated that the seat of government (ACT) should have access to the sea. The Jervis Bay territory was to be that access. Jervis Bay is administered by the Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories on behalf of the Australian Government. It has been used for defence activities, grazing, forestry, water catchment purposes, conservation and recreation. Its total area is 7,360 ha.

Landscape: The ACT has three contrasting landforms. In the north, where urban development has taken place, it is a lowland of undulating hills including the floodplains of the Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers, mostly below 600 m. Beyond this are forested mountain slopes rising to 1,200 m divided by numerous tributaries of the Murrumbidgee. In the south and extreme west is an upland of steep ridges and mountain peaks rising above 1,800 m.

Climate: The lowland, including the city of Canberra, has an average annual rainfall of 630 mm, unevenly distributed throughout the year. In most years there are light snowfalls in winter. Strong winds are frequent, mainly from the west and north-west. The mean maximum temperature in Canberra is 19.7°C, with the highest on record 42.2°C. The mean minimum is 6.9°C, with the lowest on record, -10°C. On the mountain slopes the rainfall is higher but very uneven, due to variations of aspect. The mountain ridges have an even higher rainfall which may reach 1500 mm annually. During much of the winter the ground temperature is near or below freezing point. Snow falls frequently and may persist for some months.

Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, International Public Affairs Branch 1995