Best Travel Guide Canberra | ArrivalGuides.com

CanberraGuide was updated: 2024-06-10

Edged by mountain ranges, Canberra is a planned city built on vast limestone plains. Canberra is Australia’s national capital — the seat of the Federal Parliament and home to many institutions and national monuments. Four distinct seasons add to its charm, and visitors quickly discover that it really is Australia’s hidden gem. The surrounding countryside contains historic and picturesque rural villages and a burgeoning cool-climate wine industry.

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Over half the area of the Australian Capital Territory, ACT, is a national park, with a well-developed and maintained network of walking trails through mountain ranges and subalpine forest. A spectacular way to see the city is to take a hot air balloon ride high over Lake Burley Griffin. The surrounding region is home to more than 30 wineries, historic townships, beautiful coastlines and the famous Snowy Mountains.

National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia was rebuilt in 1968, and inspired by the Parthenon. Australian copyright law requires that a copy of every book published in Australia is to be deposited with the National Library of Australia. Although the library has “closed access”, it also holds a national bibliographic database and offers access through the Libraries Australia service.

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New Parliament House

The New Parliament House, the seat of Federal parliament, was completed in 1988 in time for the bicentennial celebrations of the first settlement by the British in 1788. The futuristically designed building features the use of native timbers and contemporary art work by Australian artists.

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Old Parliament House

Built in 1927, the old parliament house served as the seat of government until 1988, and now functions as a museum. Walk through the chambers and corridors of power, filled with office paraphernalia and seemingly frozen in time. The lovely Rose Gardens on either side of this national heritage site are a visual delight.

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National Museum of Australia

Located on the spectacular Acton Peninsula, which thrusts out into Lake Burley Griffin, the National Museum of Australia explores the events, issues, and people that shaped the nation. With its rich and diverse collection of historical artefacts, the museum offers a comprehensive look at Australia's heritage.

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Australian War Memorial

The Australian war memorial serves both as a memorial to Australians who served their country and as a military museum. The building, roughly shaped like a Byzantine church, is a revered national shrine.

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National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia holds a comprehensive collection of Australian art including a superb collection of Aboriginal art. The gallery also hosts special interest exhibitions from around the world.

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