| Canberra is the capital of Australia
and the 150 kilometers from the coast, the country's largest inland
city. The name Canberra is derived from the Aboriginal word 'Kamberra'
which means 'meeting place.' The city has a population of 325,000.
Canberrans live in a city of broad streets, green parks and elegant
buildings. In 1911, the Australian Government claimed more than
2,000 square kilometers from New
South Wales to form the national capital. The city was designed
by architect Walter Burley Griffin whose design based on circles
and axes was similar to streets of Washington,
DC and Paris.
NATURAL WORLD
Commonwealth Park sits on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin. Nearby
is the Australian National
Botanical Gardens.
The Mulligans
Flat Woodlands Sanctuary is on the border of of one of Canberra's
newest suburbs. The fenced area of endangered box-gum woodland will
be used to reintroduce birds and marsupials.
Canberra's Explore Program features 'wild!' activities at Namadgi
National Park, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Canberra Nature Park.
There are ranger-guided tours and self-guided walks.
CULTURE
Cultural attractions include the National
Museum, National Gallery,
the National Science and Technology Centre, The War Museum, the
Australian Institute of Sport, the Royal Australian Mint, Old and
New Parliament Houses, the War Memorial, the National Library, and
the quaint Cockington Green .
CCAS is one of
a national network of contemporary arts organizations with a diverse
program of exhibitions, performances, artists’ talks and publications
aims provide opportunities for artists to exhibit their work within
a context of current national and international practice.
The Australian of the Year Walk shoreline on Lake Burley Griffin
between the National Library of Australia and the Commonwealth Avenue
Bridge is marked by 100 concrete pillars honoring the winners of
the Australian
of the Year Award. The pillars are in five groups of 20, with
a staggered arrangement laterally along five metal dividers between
six lines of dark paving stones.
Questacon is committed
to the promotion, awareness and understanding of science and technology.
MARKETS
The Old Bus Depot
Market is held every Sunday at 27 Wentworth Avenue.
SPORT
Canberra hosts the Canberra Raiders and the Brumbies
who play rugby league and rugby union respectively, and who have
both been champions of their leagues. Both teams play their home
games at Canberra Stadium.
POLITICS
As the seat of the government of Australia, Canberra is the site
of the Old Parliament House,
the High Court of Australia and numerous government departments
and agencies.
POP CULTURE
In Community
Development through Tourism, author Sue Beeton writes: "Many
Australians argue that Canberra has no 'soul' or sense of community
and has difficulty attracting tourists, demonstrating the difficulties
surrounding created communities."
HISTORY
After the Commonwealth Federation was created, the site of Canberra
was selected for the location of the nation's capital in 1908. It
was a compromise that created something new instead of choosing
among Melbourne
and Sydney.
NEARBY
Canberra is located near the Brindabella
National Park, approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) inland
from Australia's east coast. The park has recreational opportunities
for bushwalking, mountain biking,bird watching and nature study.
Namadgi
National Park makes up more than half of the Australian Capital
Territory. The northwest section of the park lies just to the south
of Canberra's suburbs. To the southwest the park joins Kosciuszko
National Park and the Bimberi and Scabby Range nature reserves with
Brindabella National Park on the northeastern border.
Namadgi National Park - John McRae
|
