Canberra

Canberra is the national capital of Australia and is situated in the Australian Capital Territory. It is 250 km southwest of Sydney and is one of largest inland cities in Australia. The government is the leading employer of Canberra, while tourism is also a significant industry.

History of Canberra

The construction of Canberra started in 1913. Plans for city development during that time were designed by a Chicago architect named Walter Griffin. The Canberra Parliament House was opened in 1927 and a new Parliament house was also erected on Capital Hill in 1988.

Tourism in Canberra

Canberra is one of the best models of city planning and rigid zoning. The focal point in Canberra is Lake Burley Griffin, the largest artificial lake in the area. Canberra is also famous for its landscaping-shrubs, trees and other forms of greenery have been carefully chosen to provide a variety of texture and colour through changing seasons.

Popular landmarks in Canberra include the Australian Parliament House,and the Captain Cook Memorial Fountain at Lake Burley Griffin. Other attractions include the Australian National Memorial and the National Gallery and the National Museum. Movie and film buffs can visit the National Screen and Sound Archives as well as the National Science and Technology Centre. Other tour attractions include the Defense Force Academy and the embassies of various nations, all of which are located in or near the city centre.

Activities in Canberra

Visitors in Canberra will surely have a great with various forms of recreation. Canberra has its own share of good shopping as well as a host of recreational facilities such as hot air balloon flights, whole day and half-day trips around the city, cave excursions and a lot more. Canberra also has its own share of hotels, motels, inns and motor parks for those traveling in caravans and motor homes. Spring is the best time to take a trip to Canberra. This is the time when the carefully-laid out greenery comes into full bloom, and the gentle and cool breeze makes for a comfortable ride or walk around the city.

Canberra is also famous for Floriade, its annual flower festival, as well as the as the National Folk Festival, the Rally of Canberra and the Royal Canberra show. Canberra is also home to the Botanic Gardens, where hundreds of plant species that can only be seen in Australia are found.