CanberraThe Australian Capital Territory is a relatively small area that is home to the capital city, Canberra. It is approximately 80 km (50 miles) by 30 km (19 miles) in area and lies within the
New South Wales borders. The whole south western area of the Australian Capital Territory is occupied by the Namadgi National Park.
Canberra is located in the northern part of the Australian Capital Territory, 300 km south-west of Sydney and 650 km north-east of Melbourne by road. The city is situated on a man made lake called Lake Burley Griffin. Canberra is Australia's major political city and the population has grown over the years to approximately 320,000
from 50,000 in 1960.
Canberra is perfect for getting back to nature. But hidden beneath the leafy surrounds is a thriving modern city with stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids
and a busy calendar of events and festivals. The surrounding region offers more than 30 wineries, historic townships, beautiful coastlines and the famous Snowy Mountains.
Why go there
Canberra is one of the world's greatest examples of urban planning and landscape architecture, thanks to the visionary
work of Chicago-born designer, Walter Burley Griffin.
It is the home of Australia’s Parliament House, National Gallery, National Museum and War Memorial, as well as many more significant
cultural and architectural offerings
Canberra Climate
In Canberra the summer months of December, January and February the weather is typically warm and dry. Temperatures can reach 30°C (87°F) with continuous sunshine.
During winter, the daytime temperature rarely exceeds 10°C (53°F) and usually drops to freezing at night. Sleet, snow and rain are common between May and September.
From wildlife to nightlife, national monuments to national parks, observatories to conservatories, phsycial culture to viticulture, Australia's capital city is a city of many parts.
It's not all politics, as many are led to believe. If you are a School child in Australia you will more than likely experience the Excursion to Canberra, at least once during your school life. Most schools aways include a trip to Canberra every year. We recently spent a week in Canberra rediscovering our School day excursion.
Traveling Around Canberra
All of the major areas in Canberra can be reached by public transport, with a fairly frequent service around the city. The airport is situated
7km Southeast of the centre, and offers a bus service to the city (Number 80), however, this service only runs on weekdays. Alternatively you can catch a taxi.
Buses in the city run fairly frequently, with interchange areas in the Civic being on Alinga Street, East Row and Mort Street. Canberra is split into 3 sections.
It is possible to buy tickets for just one zone or all zones, obviously depending on where you want to travel. If you plan on travelling a lot during the day then
the most economical ticket would probably be the 'all-day/all-zone' ticket. The service is by the Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network (ACTION). You can get more information from its kiosk, (corner Alinga Street and East Row), open until 11.30 every day or by calling Ph: (02) 6207 7611.
For transport around the main sights either take one of the ACTION buses or hop onto Murray's Canberra Explorer. The explorer travels to 18 different sights, where you can join or leave the service at any stop. You can either buy a single or a full circuit ticket, allowing you a two hour stop on the way.
For the visitor, biking and walking are the best ways to get around. There's an extensive network of paths through public parkland around the lake
linking places of interest. The lake sports the Captain Cook memorial fountain, which is a jet of water shooting as much as six tonnes of water into the air. It operates daily from 11am to 2pm.
We recently spent two weeks in Canberra with family and friends. We decided to take a Guided sightseeing tour of Canberra.
Canberra Guided Tours offers you a relaxing time in the nation’s capital! Experience the history of early settlement, the planning by Walter Burley Griffin, today’s modern attractions and the surrounding region.My advice is :
If your stay is short, consider a one-and-a-half hour tour of the city, followed by a 1hr cruise on Lake Burley Griffin! Tours depart from Acton Ferry Terminal and bookings are essential.
The view from the lake! Wonderful! You will want more so take a half-day or full-day tour and visit the War Memorial, Mt. Ainslie, Old Parliament House, Parliament house, Parliament House, the National Museum, the National Art Gallery, and more.
Like to check out the region? Maybe you'd like to visit the Wineries or a Country Restaurant for lunch. You can incorporate a Food & Wine tour Or... Perhaps you like Art and Craft, Furniture, Antiques? Canberra and District has some wonderful galleries, markets and shops. Canberra Guided Tours can arrange a tour to suit you!
If you have a few days to spend in Canberra why not take a trip to the coast? Stop over en route at Bungedore and Braidwood. Excellent accommodation available, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether you take a guided tour or decide to look around yourself, I can guarentee you will not be disappointed with what you see.
Things to see and do in Canberra
Government House Canberra
Official residence of the Governor General. The house and grounds are not open to the public, however there are open days throughout the year. There is a good view of the building from a lookout on Lady Denman Drive, south of Scrivener Dam, tourist drive 2. Entry is Free
National Carillon
The Carillon is one of the largest musical instruments in the world. The 53 bronze bells are controlled by hand batons and foot pedals on a keyboard.
The Carillon was a gift from Great Britain to the people of Australia to mark Canberra's 50th birthday in 1963.
The lake itself is a focal point of the Canberra landscape, dividing the city into north and south. Ringed with bike tracks and walks, it's home to platoons of pelicans, swans, ducks
and other water birds.
Captain Cook Memorial JetCaptain Cook Memorial Jet
One of Canberra's most visible attractions, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet was inaugurated in 1970 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to
commemorate the bicentenary of Captain Cook's discovery of the east coast of Australia. When operating at full capacity, the jet reaches a maximum height of 147 metres.
About six tonnes of water is in the air at any one moment
Telstra Tower
Telstra Tower's open air and enclosed viewing galleries provide a magnificent 360 degree view over Canberra and the surrounding countryside. The Tower contains an exhibition area where models and displays describe the history of telecommunications in Australia.
Teltra Tower Canberra
Screensound Australia
The history of sound and screen - Screensound Australia has an amazing collection that dates from the late 1800s to today.
Established in October 1984, the National Film and Screen Archive acquires, preserves and makes available Australia's moving images and recorded sounds.
The collection includes films, radio and television programs, sound recordings such as disks, piano rolls, wax cylinders & tapes, posters, scripts, oral
Canberra Railway Museum
See the steam locomotives, including the diminutive 1210 (built in 1878 and restored to working order in 1988), which hauled the first train into Canberra in 1914, and the huge 265 tonne Beyer-Garratt 6029.
Also see the beautifully restored tender locomotive 3016 which started life as a tank engine hauling suburban trains around Sydney, prior to electrification. Climb into the locomotive cabs and walk through a variety of carriages from the turn of the century to the roaring twenties.
Australian Institute of Sport
Meet the champions - Australia has always been a sporting nation and, these days, many of our elite sports people use the facilities of the Australian Institute of Sport.
You can see the world of the champion athlete from the inside as you tour the complex, with an athlete as your guide. Visit the Sports Visitor Centre, which incorporates Sportex - an exhibition of interactive sports displays, videos and tributes, as well as the latest sports technology. If you'd enjoy a swim, a spa or a game of tennis, just ask. Many of the AIS facilities are open to the public.
Canberra Bycicle Museum
Pedal power through the ages. Display of 60 exhibits of old, rare and unusual bicycles. Where there are kids, there are usually bikes, but some of the bicycles on display at the
Canberra Bicycle Museum don't look much like the everyday BMX or mountain bike. A great place for children to see how bicycles have changed through the years
Royal Australian MintRoyal Australian Mint -
Did you know that Australia's first coins were made by punching out the centre of Spanish dollars, creating two coins - the Holey Dollar and the Dump? Governor Macquarie's solution to the country's currency crisis in 1813 is just part of a fascinating history recorded at the Royal Australian Mint.
There are presentations running continuously in the theatrette that explain coins and coin production, displays of coins dating back to the First Fleet.
Visitors can operate a coin press to mint your very own $1.00 coin. The coin you make will have a 'C' mint mark, indicating that it has been made in Canberra. The mark sets it apart from the normal circulating dollar coins. You can also watch from the elevated viewing gallery as money is being made - you'll see more money made in an hour than most of us make in a year
National Zoo and Aquariumtuary
Here's the chance for your kids to come face to face with a shark, lion or Koala all in the one spot.
The National Zoo and Aquarium is set in seven hectares of landscaped bush, the park offers lots of animals, BBQ sites, a coffee shop and free parking.
Exhibits include European Brown Bears, Leopards, Lions, monkeys, a magnificent coral reef tank, the new 300,000 litre shark tank, native wildlife and Australia's only Tigons.
One of the highlights and must do's on your trip to Canberra is a visit to Parliment House. Parliament House, the home of Federal Parliament, is one of the world's most acclaimed buildings. Situated in the centre of the nation's capital, it is renowned for its impressive architecture, landscaped gardens and collection of Australian contemporary art. The 81 metre flag mast soaring above the building has become the symbol of Canberra.
Enter into this national Australian icon through the white marble Great Verandah to experience a taste of Australian Government. View proceedings of parliament sitting or enjoy a free guided tour through the halls of power. Take a stroll over the grassed roof, delight in the many Australian artworks or admire the fascinating achitectural design that is parliament house.
Old Parliment House
As a child at school, I remember the School trips to Canberra. The Old Parliment House was so amazing through a childs eyes and it still is today through an adults eyes.
Old Parliament House was the home to Australia’s Federal Parliament for more than sixty years. Today the House comes alive with a fascinating range of exhibitions, tours and events for adults as well as kids to enjoy.
At Old Parliament House you can sit in the Parliamentary Chambers where governments and oppositions debated the country’s direction. Visit rooms and offices
interpreted to show how Parliament operated. You might even catch a talk on a former Prime Minister, hear a concert in King’s Hall, or revisit our past with our fascinating and changing
program of exhibitions and events.
Parliament House
Old Parliament House is also home to the National Portrait Gallery, Café in the House and the Old Parliament House shop all of witch you will enjoy.
Lake Burley Griffin
Please don't forget to visit Lake Burley Griffin. It is amazing. Lake Burley Griffin was constructed in 1963 after the Molonglo River was dammed, and was named after Canberra's designer. It is possible to boat in the lake, and walk or skate around the 35km shoreline.
You can hire boats, bikes and skates from Acton Park Ferry Terminal to the north of the lake. Also on the north you can find a skeleton globe, at Regatta Point, which marks Captain Cook's three great travelling voyages. There is also a Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet, which throws 6 tons of water 147m into the air, built in 1970 and open 10.00am-midday and 2.00pm-4.00pm, with additional opening from 7.00pm-9.00pm during summer.
Eating Out
Canberra has a wide range of restaurants and cafes. In Civic there are plenty of places to choose from. For a slightly more up market range head towards Manuka.
The majority of the restaurants and cafes can be found on Bougainville, Fourneaux and Franklin Streets as well as on Flinders Way.
Kingston offers a range of reasonably priced restaurants, and cafes. Alternatively Dickson offers a complete range of restaurants at varying prices. There are also
various snack bars in the numerous shopping centres in and around the city, and cheaper eating places and entertainment at the University Student Union on University Avenue.
Shopping
Canberra is definitely not short on shops. The Civic has a large indoor and outdoor shopping centre based around Bunda Street. There are also several
out of town shopping centres and malls. Dickson has numerous shops on its complex, but for absolutely anything you need visit the Westfield Shopping Centre, Belconnen,
and its surrounding industrial parks.
There are also several markets. In the centre there's a craft market every Saturday, there is also an art and craft market at the Old Bus Depot in Kingston every Sunday
where you can also buy international food.
Accommodation
Canberra offers a range of accommodation including five star hotels, apartments and motels.
http://www.stayz.com.au/accommodation/act/act-canberra/canberra
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