You are here: Travel Guides » Capital Territory
Canberra Travel Guide

Travel Guides: Canberra

General Information

Canberra

Australia's capital city, Canberra, had a difficult birth, punctuated by political infighting, wars and the Great Depression, but it is now a thriving modern city which, together with its surrounds, makes up Australia's Capital Territory. Canberra lies 95 miles (150km) in from the East Coast, by road 175 miles (280km) from Sydney and 415 miles (660km) from Melbourne.

Like most capitals of the world, Canberra boasts an architectural heritage in its civic and Government buildings, but Canberra is also blessed with some of the loveliest surroundings of any national capital. There are more than 30 Australian artistic and cultural institutions located in Canberra, ranging from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament House, surmounted by a colossal stainless-steel flagpole and set in 23 hectares of gardens. In the centre of Lake Burley Griffin, the impressive Captain Cook Memorial Jet shoots a six-ton column of water 482 feet (147m) into the air, while on the shore the National Gallery of Australia houses the country's premier public art collection spanning about 5,000 years of international art.

Canberra is also known for its spring festival, Floriade, when the parks and gardens surrounding Lake Burley Griffin explode with colourful displays of massed tulips and other blooms. The city, with its many parklands, is especially beautiful in spring and autumn.

Getting Around

Public transport is limited to buses and because Canberra is spread out, with meagre weekend services and no transport after about 10pm, visitors are best off with a car. There is plenty of parking at the tourist sites and the road system is excellent and uncongested; to hire a car drivers must be 21 years of age and hold a valid driver's license, sometimes in conjunction with an international driver's permit. The Action bus company routes cover most tourist attractions from four town centre bus interchanges: City, Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen. A day bus pass is available from bus drivers or the tourist information centre. Cycling is also a popular means of transport in Canberra and there is an extensive network of bicycle paths around the city. Taxi ranks are available in most major areas of the city.

Activites

Canberra Deep Space Centre,Canberra
The Canberra Space Centre contains a collection of space memorabilia, models, theatres and interactive exhibits covering the last 40 years of space flight and exploration. Visitors can weigh themselves on the moon and see Mars in 3-D.

Admission:
Free

Opening time:
Daily 9am to 5pm. Closed Christmas Day

Michelago Tourist Railway,Canberra
The Australian Railway Historical Society Inc operates regular Sunday steam train rides to Royalla on the first and third Sunday of each month, and on the second and fourth Sunday operates rail motor trains to Royalla. Ride the 'Spirit of Tuggeranong' or the 'Tin Hare Express' to Royalla, enjoy a picnic lunch and then hop back on for the return trip. Other trips available include evening railroad dinner and dancing trips. The trains operate from Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Road.

Opening time:
Office hours: 10am to 3pm (weekdays)

Australian National Botanic Gardens,Canberra
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, sited on the slopes of Black Mountain, is the world's finest living collection of Australian native plants. Set among natural eucalypts, they provide an ideal setting to display the nation's unique and beautiful floral heritage. The variety of eco-systems in the Gardens encourages a host of birds. Other features include the Aboriginal Track, a Rock Garden, Rainforest Gully, the Mallee and the Tasmanian Garden.

Opening time:
Daily 8.30am to 5pm (until 6pm weekdays and 8pm weekends in January)

National Zoo and Aquarium,Canberra
View exotic and native animals, ocean and freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians. See leopards, lions, tigers, cougars, bears, monkeys, Tasmanian devils, sharks and Barrier Reef exhibits. Feed kangaroos and pat dingoes. The complex is beside Lake Burley Griffin, and large habitats provide ideal viewing for education and enjoyment.

Admission:
A$26.50 (adults), A$14.50 (children 4-15 yrs); other concessions available

Opening time:
Daily 10am to 5pm. Closed Christmas day

Cockington Green,Canberra
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's landmark attractions. As well as the stunning miniature displays and breathtaking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze, several cafés, a barbecue, picnic and playground areas and a steam train ride that circles the grounds.

Admission:
A$15 (adults), A$8 (children 4-16 years); concessions available

Opening time:
Daily 9.30am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm)

National Gallery of Australia,Canberra
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has the best collection of art in the country. The Australian collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to 20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem Land, pukumani burial poles from the Tiwi people and printed fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land. The Memorial, a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is dedicated to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives defending their country since European settlement. There's also plenty of foreign art from all eras, and many important international exhibitions are exhibited in Canberra on their way around the world. The collection is not confined to paintings; sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, furniture, ceramics, fashion, textiles and silverware are all on display.

Admission:
There is no charge to view the permanent collection, but admission may be charged for special temporary exhibitions

Opening time:
Daily 10am to 5pm; closed Christmas day