Travel Eye on Canberra (ACT, Australia)

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Overview

Uniquely located in the South Western Region of New South Wales is the Australian Capital Territory and the Nations Capital, Canberra. The name, translated from the Aboriginal meaning for meeting place is appropriately the location for Australia's Parliament House and many of the Worlds National Embassies.

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 482ft (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.

Locality

Canberra with a population of nearly 300 000 is Australia's capital and only major inland city. It is unique in having every detail of it's construction planned from the beginning, then being built halfway between Sydney and Melbourne after a dispute over which would become the nations capital.

The nerve centre of Australian national government, is just a three hour drive or a 45-minute flight south-west of Sydney. Set in a broad valley in the southern tablelands of New South Wales.

Entertainment/Activities/Things To Do:

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.

Set on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin it has a great deal to offer the traveller. Home to the National Gallery, Library, Royal Australian Mint, War Memorial, Both Old & New Parliament House, Black Mountain Telecommunications Centre, The Captain Cook Fountain, The Carillon plus a great deal more. Canberra is definitely on the list of places to visit in Australia.

Although Canberra may not be a famed for its nightlife the city is surprisingly lively.  With a relatively young population thanks to the University and Institute of Sport there are lots of clubs and pubs which, due to liberal licensing laws have unlimited operating hours and hence there a number of 24hr clubs and pubs.

Canberra has a multitude of parks and gardens and is particularly beautiful in spring and autumn.  At the cities centre is the man-made Lake Burley Griffin, ideal for a spot of water sports.