Canberra

Canberra – The Peacemaker Capital

Nowhere in Australia does a city emerge to become the nation’s capital from the stories of two cities, Sydney and Melbourne, gallop gallantly into each other and so doing settling a conflict. Canberra, the national capital and National Capital Territory of Australia is where Sydney and Melbourne, the former older than the latter, meet to shake hands and pat each other with, let it be, old friends, we both belong to Australia afterall.

The name ‘Canberra’ has aboriginal origins. It is believed to derive from the various renditions into written English of the Ngambri, the indigenous people of the area which is one of the family groups that make up the Ngunnawal nation. John Moore, a non-Aboriginal landowner named his property “Canberry Station” with the first name transcribed from Ngambri.

In the Ngunnawal language, the name is said to mean ‘meeting place’ which fits very well what happens between Sydney and Melbourne in their battle to clinch the national capital trophy that eventually eluded them. One can say that Sydney and Melbourne meet in Camberra to unite and in doing so, take the whole of Australia with them. Indeed, right indeed so, Canberra is a diplomatic compromise to solve once and for all times, the individual claim of Sydney and Melbourne as the rightful national capital of Australia.

Even if the other explanation for the name in which the Aboriginal word, Nganbra means “hollow between a woman’s breasts’ is accepted, Canberra remains the place where two odds meet to make peace or the very place through which the left and the right flow to become one.

The city, which was designed by Walter Burley Griffin, is famous, amongst others, for its circular flow of streets. It has spacious areas of parkland and a circular layout around the Parliamentary Centre. The circular flowing streets are confusing at the first encounter but once one gets used to them, they make for easy access to all parts of the city.

Like everywhere in Australia, there are many places of magnetic attraction in Canberra. Some of these are the long, long Lake Burley Griffin which honours the architect of the city, All Saints Church, Australian Institute of Sport, Australian National Botanic Gardens and Australian National Library, Australian National University, Bungendore Village Square, Canberra Deep Space Communications Centre, Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet, Casino Canberra, Cockinton Green, Cotter Dam and Reserve, Cuppacumbalong Craft, the Federation Square, Government House and the international Embassies.

When to go?

Summer in Canberra is warm to hot and dry with little humidity. Enjoy the great outdoors that Canberra has to offer and full days of sunshine. Springtime weather is pleasant and also has long days of sunshine making it an ideal time for bushwalking and visiting many of Canberra’s famous vineyards. During autumn immerse yourself in Canberra’s stunning landscapes as the cities gardens and parks transform their colours to gold, crimson and red.

Average minimum and maximum temperatures

• Spring       6 C – 19 C
• Summer    12 C – 27 C
• Autumn     7 C – 20 C
• Winter       1 C – 12 C

What to do and see

Canberra has a rich culture and heritage which is reflected in its many monuments, galleries and historic buildings. If you want to learn a lot about Australia – come to Canberra.  Watch Parliament House on a ‘sitting day’ and see parliamentarians debate the current issues or visit the old parliament House and gain a greater knowledge about the nation’s political history. Step back into the past at the National Archives where you can browse videos, photos and records dating back to Federation (1901).

Go to the technology centre – Questacon, and enjoy a fun and educational approach to science where you can experience a virtual earthquake simulator or watch a lightning bolt in front of your eyes. Check out the Australian Institute of Sport. An elite sportsman will show you around and after that you can try sportex, an interactive sports facility for you try a range of activities and sports such as rock climbing and rowing.

Don’t miss the world’s largest inland aquarium and zoo where you can see big cats, bears, lions and giraffe’s. You can even pat a Cheetah or meet a bear as part of an interactive tour with animals.

At night makes your way to Black Mountain Tower. Expose yourself to the elements on the open viewing platforms and take in the stunning 360 degree views of Canberra. Or you can go by day and have a look at the souvenir shop and later on feast at the renowned Alto eatery, the tower’s revolving restaurant

Hot Spot – The National Gallery of Australia

See over 100,000 pieces of art and first-class art exhibitions. Here is the famous Jackson Pollock painting - ‘Blue Poles’. Explore the history and depth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art and international art. There are also huge displays of Indian and Pacific art in the forms of painting, sculptures and textiles.

Canberra is the capital of Australia. It is in ACT, the Australian Capital Territory. Though it is a very small city as compared to other capital cities in Australia, it should not be missed by tourists seeking to explore Australia.

Canberra brings with it great history. In 1908, it was chosen as the capital city of Australia by a parliament ballot. The indigenous people of this region have lived here for over 20,000 years.

Canberra’s museums and attractions are home to hidden gems and treasures of Australia. The parliament of Australia is also open to public so that the visitors can get a glimpse of how a normal day in the life of an Australian politician goes.

Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities. It is designed as a city in a park with a mixture of refreshing colours and views that is bound to relax any soul. The region is surrounded by numerous wineries, historic townships, quiet coastlines and the famous snowy mountains.

Canberra plays host to various sporting functions and festivals such as Australian Mountain Bike Championships, Black Opal Stakes, Tilt Busking Festival, etc. The region also plays host to celebrations for Anzac Day and Australia Day.

Canberra is located in the south east corner of New South Wales, in the Australian Capital Territory. Though it has a marine west coast climate, the inland location of the city creates quite dry conditions throughout the year and the surrounding forest can often be affected by bushfires during the hot summer months. Canberra experiences a lot of sunshine throughout the year, with a yearly average of 7.6 hours per day, making it a pleasant city to live in and visit.

Canberra’s climate is affected by the coastal weather patterns, the city’s latitude, elevation and the sub-tropical ridge of high pressure systems that stretch across Australia, generating mild easterly and north-westerley winds. The area has four distinct seasons – with dry, hot summers and chilly winters.

As with the rest of Australia, the seasons in Canberra are the opposite to the Northern Hemisphere – with summer in December, January and February, winter in June, July and August, spring in September, October and November and autumn in March, April and May. It receives about 630 mm of rain each year, coming in the form of thunderstorms in summer and cold fronts in winter. October is generally the wettest month, June the driest and August the windiest. The west of the city tends to receive heavier rainfall throughout the year than the east, due to the barrier created by the Brindabella Ranges.

July is the coldest month in winter, with average maximum temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canberra was -10 degrees Celsius on the 11th July 1961. The CBD sometimes experiences light snowfall, though this is very rare and the snow usually melts quickly. The Brindabella Ranges experience snow more frequently and the white-capped peaks are visible from the city. Winter days are often clear and sunny with light westerly winds, creating ideal conditions for overnight frosts and heavy fog.

Canberra summers can be quite hot, often reaching above 30 degrees Celsius in January – though the elevation of the city and easterly winds result in quite cool summer evenings, usually around 13 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature ever recorded in Canberra was 42.2 degrees Celsius on the 1st of February 1968.
The inland location of Canberra results in low humidity, even in summer – hot days are generally more comfortable here than on the coast. Summer rain is very variable, usually in the form of heavy thunderstorms and occasional hail.

Eating in Canberra

Like most Australian cities, Canberra has a lively food culture with fine dining, grungy cafes and everything in between. The city can be divided into several distinct precincts, each of which has a unique food experience to be enjoyed.

The precinct of Dickson is fast growing into Canberra’s foodie haven, with cuisines from virtually all over the world represented in the restaurants here – including Thai, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, African, Indian and more. The precinct has a small yet bustling China Town, with a selection of dumpling houses and Yum Cha restaurants at a variety of prices – a wallet-friendly option for the budget conscious student or traveller. The precinct is also home to many traditional Irish and English-style pubs and clubs which offer large, wholesome meals at affordable prices, as well as a selection of Australian and imported beers and ales.

The inner city Civic Precinct has all the buzz of a trendy CBD, with many bustling cafes serving quality coffee to Canberra’s cosmopolitan population. Fine restaurants, homely pubs, wine bars and vodka bars can be found around this area, particularly in Northbourne Avenue, the Canberra Centre, Bunda Street and the Melbourne Building.

Nearby, the eclectic precinct of Braddon has a quirky, artistic atmosphere, which translates to the colourful mix of restaurants and bars. The fashionable Kingston and Manuka Precincts also have a buzzing food culture, with gourmet specialty stores, bakeries, award-winning restaurants and trendy pubs serving delicious food in a relaxed, sophisticated setting.

Visitors can step back in time in the historical precincts of Acton and Gold Creek Village, with many restaurants serving modern Australian cuisine, fine wines and boutique beers. For food with a view, visit one of the many restaurants and cafes around the blue waters of Lake Burley Griffin – for a cheaper option, pack a picnic and enjoy the parkland around the lake.

Another alternative to eating out is to pick up some fresh produce from the many farmers markets around the city and make your own food at home. Many of Canberra’s markets specialize in organic and seasonal delicacies – including fruit, vegetables, meat, nuts, grains, legumes, cheese, chocolate, coffee, baked goods, seafood and delicious small goods. The Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, the Capital Regional Farmers Market at Exhibition Park, the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, the Old Bus Depot Markets, the Woden CIT campus and the Hall Markets are some of the most popular in the city. Shopping this way can be a fun and affordable day out, with the lively bustle of crowds and street performers making the experience more fun than any supermarket.

Canberra is nestled beside the man-made Lake Burley Griffin and is surrounded by eucalyptus forests, sweeping grassland, swamp and scrubland – in fact, more than half of the city itself is nature reserves and native bush. It is for this reason that Canberra is sometimes nicknamed the ‘Bush Capital’.

Canberra Nature Park incorporates the city’s 27 main nature reserves, covering a huge expanse of land. Many of these areas have been cleared for agriculture in the past however bush rehabilitation programs have allowed much of the native plant life to return and thrive. The endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Grassy Woodland is an example of a rare forest-type that is found in the Nature Park, home to many rare Australian animal species including the Hooded Robin, Button Wrinklewort and Striped Legless Lizard.

Most of Canberra’s inner hills are incorporated into the Nature Park, including Mount Majura, Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie – these areas are protected from housing development by the National Capital Plan, allowing the city to have a distinct natural beauty near urban areas.

Most Canberra locals are lucky enough to enjoy parkland within easy walking distance from their homes, with popular activities including bushwalking, horse-riding, picnicking and bike-riding. There are spectacular views to take in at several lookouts on the surrounding mountains, as well as native flowers, birdlife and animals to discover. For the highest views, why not four-wheel drive to the summit of Black Mountain in Brindabella National Park, Mount Pleasant, Mount Ainslie or Red Hill for sweeping vistas of the entire region.

For animal lovers, the National Aquarium and Wildlife Sanctuary is a fun way for the whole family to get up close and personal with many curious native creatures whilst learning about the vital preservation and research done by the sanctuary. The National Zoo and the Australian Reptile Centre at Gold Creek are also well worth a visit for their exotic and rare animal species.

The city’s dry inland location is often subject to annual bushfires, particularly in the hot summer months of December to February. For this reason it is important to be fire-aware when visiting Canberra’s great outdoors, especially when fire danger is high and fire-bans and water restrictions are in place. The Parks Brigade is the body responsible for monitoring the likelihood of fire in the Canberra region and for taking hazard reduction measures near urban and agricultural areas. Their work greatly reduces the damaging impact of bushfires in the region.

There are many more reasons to visit Australia’s capital than just Parliament House. With a wide variety of activities for different budgets and tastes, Canberra is an ideal place to live, work, study or just visit for a holiday.

Canberra comes alive in the evening, with many trendy cocktail bars opening their doors to the stylish professional population of the city. For a more laid-back atmosphere, the city and surrounding suburbs boast many quaint pubs, breweries and beer gardens. Alternatively there are many vibrant clubs and bars for those who enjoy live music or hitting the dance floor to the beats of local and visiting DJs.

At night, the city comes alive with entertainment for all ages. Families can enjoy fun, affordable activities such as tenpin bowling or ice-skating. Canberra is dotted with cinemas screening new releases, classic and art-house films, and several large film festivals held throughout the year – for instance the Canberra International Film Festival in October. During the warmer months, the city holds many outdoor movie events – for instance Tropfest short film festival in Commonwealth Park in February.

For adults, the Casino Canberra offers live entertainment, restaurants and gaming rooms for a fun night out. There are also many licensed clubs such as RSLs and sporting associations that offer cheap meals, beverage specials and relaxing atmospheres.

Canberra has over 300 places to eat, ranging from five-star restaurants, to affordable bistros offering international cuisine, to trendy outdoor cafes. About 30 minutes drive away from the city is Canberra’s rural wine-growing region, with many award-winning wine varieties produced and presented for tastings and purchase, as well as gourmet restaurants specialising in matching food and wine. For a more rustic food experience, there are several food markets in Canberra offering fresh produce provided by local farmers – for instance the Old Bus Depot Markets, the Capital Regional Farmers Market and the Hall Markets. The produce is often organic and always sold at its seasonal peak.

Canberra is a beautifully designed city with many well-kept parks, lakes and areas of bushland intertwined with walking and bike trails, picnic spots and barbeque facilities. Visitors can get up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and other native animals at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Black Mountain, Red Hill, Mount Pleasant, Mount Taylor or Mount Ainslie. The Australian National Botanic Gardens is close to the city centre and is a peaceful place to spend a day wandering through the beauty of the Australian outdoors.

Sights in Canberra

There is plenty to see and do in Australia’s capital – from enlightening historical and political locations, to the beauty of the great outdoors – Canberra has something for everybody.

Canberra is a planned city and was constructed originally as the capital to solve the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne for the title. As a result it’s easily accessible layout is perfect for those who want to see the inner city on foot, with the impressive structure of Parliament House located in centre of the National Precinct of the CBD. The National Precinct is home to some of Australia’s finest national collections of art, culture and history.

Visitors to Parliament House are welcome on non-sitting days with regular free tours taking groups through The House of Representatives, the Senate gallery and various rotating exhibitions held throughout the year - short tours are still conducted on sitting days for those who wish to see the proceedings. Nearby the Australian War Memorial has an impressive collection of memorabilia and war records, as well as regular exhibitions that commemorate the sacrifice of Australians who have died in world conflict. Each year, hundreds of visitors come to pay their respects at the memorial on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and smaller ceremonies are held each week at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The National Gallery of Australia has a vast collection of local and international art, as well as many visiting exhibitions from overseas, and the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of Australia and the National Archives all give very distinct insights into the eclectic and multifaceted face of the Australian identity. Cinema buffs should not go past the National Film and Sound Archive, which documents and exhibits the history of Australian cinema on the world stage.

Sports-fans should pay a visit to the renowned Australian Institute of Sport. It is here that many of Australia’s greatest locally and internationally famous athletes trained, and continue to do so today in the world class facilities. There are daily tours of the institute, as well as opportunities to book and use the training facilities on offer.

The countryside surrounding Canberra has many outdoor delights. Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Mount Taylor, Mount Pleasant, Red Hill and Mount Majura are all within easy reach of the city, and are good places to spot different species of native Australian flora and fauna. In the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, the Nature Discovery Sanctuary allows visitors to see the wildlife in its most untainted state – with no cages or fences. The temperate climate of these surrounding regions makes picnicking or bushwalking ideal activities. Just thirty minutes from the city is the Canberra District Wineries, with many award-winning wine varieties on offer for tasting and buying at the cellar door.

Canberra is the capital of Australia and the parliament is based there. It is the capital because of a controversy between Sydney and Melbourne and the decision for Canberra was as a good compromise. None of the two cities got penalised with this solution and Canberra is a good choice located approximatley half the distance between them.

As a retort city, which was just created 100 years ago, it is a very strong structured city and the most of the Australians say Canberra is unreal. It is also the sole large city in Australia, which is not located at the sea. Allegedly it was put on consciously in such a way, so that the ship cannons at that time couldn’t reach it. The name Canberra descends of the Aborigine term "Canberry", which means as much as meeting place.

Canberra is almost as largely as Berlin and has only one tenth of its number of inhabitants. With its many politicians Canberra is called a boring and uninteresting administrative city. Actually it can’t keep up within many ranges with other bulk city metropolises. However it has other advantages. The climate is very pleasantly, in the winter not too cold and in the summer not too hot. It was built as a garden city and lies moreover in the midst of a magnificent shrub country, which is particularly inviting for lovers of nature. There are lakes for swimming in the summer time and the snow-covered Snowy Mountain is close enough for winter-sporty daily trips in the winter time. From the middle of September to the middle of Octobers the colourful "Floriade Festival" takes place. A pleasant movement provides the free tram within the town centre range, which operates during the usual office hours.

Friends of media shouldn’t miss a visit at the "National Film & Sound Archive". This is regarded as the “Mekka” of the Australian film history and offers the possibility to hear the sound starting from 1890 and to watch historical films and television cut-outs. Canberra offers with five universities and 13 TAFE's a lot of opportunities to study or to study further. The courses at the TAFE's are becoming ever more popular, which is on the one hand because the courses for Australians are nationally promoted. The advantage is on the other hand a stronger practice purchase and a shorter and more flexible study time. This is the point, which might particularly be interesting for all non-Australians.

As Canberra is the capital city of Australia, it is one of busiest spot for socio-economic growth. Over the years, rise in pollution has taken a toll on the pristine nature. Although there has been a mining boom and economic upsurge in the region, realistic thinkers are today mulling the possibility of “Green Economy” to provide a much-needed sustainable growth. This form of development would boost economic well being of the people, preserve nature and natural resource in the region, and provide useful long-term jobs for the people residing in Canberra.

Green Projects, Efficacy, and Grants
Many wonder why we require “green” projects. Statistics suggest that immature mining and use of natural resources would end up in a disaster without any potential natural resources left for our future generation. Green projects would help in sustainable growth so that ecological cycle is maintained, prosperity is augmented, and people get better jobs to sustain themselves.

Today, the Australian government has provided “green-grants” or funds for green projects especially in eco-vulnerable areas, such as Australian Capital Territory (ACT). So, if entrepreneurs or scientists from Canberra start a business that would be environment-friendly and provide sustainable growth, the project would get funds from the government. Taking cue of this opportunity, numerous “green” projects have come up in recent times and many more people are vying to create for such projects for prosperity.

Tri-Generation Power Plant
The use of “Tri-Generation power plants” is one of the green projects of Canberra which is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emission by at least 75 percent. The tri-generation power plant uses hot water to generate heat, cold water to generate cool air conditioned atmosphere, and eco-friendly gas to produce electricity. The hot water system is efficient in producing energy that is cost effective and does not produce harmful gas emissions. Environment-friendly hot-water system has been used in many “green” projects to reduce energy cost yet boost standard of living. Today, the Canberra Airport has been built with this type eco-friendly technology.

Green-Star Communities
Focus is also on green infrastructure as a part of sustainable growth and development in the country. The Airport’s 5-Green Star office building has been built on recycled materials. From lighting to roof tops, interiors, and decorations, the Airport has been built keeping in mind the “Green” factor. The Green Building Council of Australia’s (GCBA) has started the Green-Star Communities where care is taken to create eco-friendly infrastructure, electrically-driven automobiles, and waste-recycle, and water-capture management. The precinct at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets in Canberra is one such green project in this endeavor.

Canberra is set to be a “carbon-neutral” city by 2060. To ensure this dream become a reality, green projects are one such effort made by the government. However, people’s support is also required for the same. The government hopes to introduce socio-changes in the ACT where people will be prodded to use public transport or walk and cycle down the track to commute. Care has been taken to ensure that the haphazardly coined mining and LNG projects don’t damage the at-risk eco-system in Canberra and its neighboring areas. The “green” projects are expected pave way for a new eco-friendly Canberra in the making.

Accommodation in Canberra, the picturesque capital of Australia, has never been a problem as various types of hotels, inns, suites, villas, and apartments are available to cater to travelers on different missions and budget. The city attracts tourists not only for its modern architecture and natural beauty, but also because of commercial and business prospects.

From snowy mountain peaks to uninterrupted coastlines, Canberra has a lot to offer to the tourists. If you are looking for a comfy stay, you can take a look at luxury hotels, palatial guest houses, plush retreats, and efficient bed-n-breakfast inns with sumptuous facilities.

On the other hand, if you are on a shoestring budget or don’t really want to spend too much on accommodation, you can choose well-made self-contained cottages and apartments, lodges, and independent villas. There are also hostels and dormitories to accommodate youngsters.

Luxury Hotels and Suites
You can book a luxurious hotel for a price of 200 AUD or a little more per night. These hotels include La Perouse and Ginninderry. Some luxury hotels that are priced a little less – say, 100 AUD or near about that price – are also located near the main city area of Canberra. Hotels of this range include Quality Hotel Diplomat, Rydges Capital Hill, and Chifley Northbourne. Mantra on Northbourne ACT and Best Western Central Motel are plush hotels with 4-star rating. Located at the main business and shopping center of Canberra, they have lavish facilities, such as well-equipped kitchen area, sauna, pool, gym, conference halls, and dedicated restaurants.

Budget Inns and Hostels
For tourists who visit Canberra for a vacation on a modest budget with family often choose kid-friendly yet cost-effective inns, such as Canberra Village Caravan Park, Queanbeyan, or Formula 1. The hotels or motels are just right for a few-days’ sojourn. There are also bed-n-breakfast inns for families that would allow them to stay overnight only, such as Victor Lodge.

Backpackers Lodges and Inns
There are also many lodges and inns for backpackers and youths traveling in a team. Group of friends often book Ursula Complex ANU Campus, Bush Capital Lodge, Civic Pub Backpackers, John XXIII College, and Burgmann College. If you are with a large group of college students, who are on a tour to Canberra, you can try out Fenner Hall. Modestly priced and just suitable for backpackers and campers on a trekking mission, such Canberra accommodations are often self-contained.

Hotels for Business Delegates
Business delegates also form another major chunk of travelers who look for suitable Canberra accommodation so that they can pursue their business meetings as well as take a good earned rest during the weekends. Braddon Restaurants are quite useful in this aspect as they regularly organize temporary apartments, executive suites for short term to long term stay. Others in the list include CityStyle and Quality Hotel Dickson.

Through such hotels, it is possible to pursue government meetings on one hand and enjoy private moments with family as well. These executive suites are just right for high net worth people who are relocating, diplomats, and corporate consultants.

So, Canberra accommodation has a room for every guest who wishes to stay in the city. From park, reserve forests, and camping areas to city hubs, business centers, and tourist attractions, there are suitable hotels and suites just everywhere and all types of locality in Canberra.