 View over Canberra |
 The National Gallery |
| Australian Capital Territory: Canberra | |
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FACTS ABOUT THE A.C.T.:
Population 280,000. CAPITAL: CANBERRA AREA:23,630 Sq Km. LOCATION: In the South-eastern area of New South Wales. CLIMATE: Highest temp. 42.2° C and -110°, both recorded in Canberra. The ACT has a high rainfall with cold spells in winter due to its proximity to the Australian Alps. Canberra was first selected as a site for a National Capital in 1908 and settled as the capital in 1927. It is one of two Territories in Australia, the other being the Northern Territory which is funded from the ACT, although largely self-governing. The Federation of Australian States came to fruition in 1901 and until then the representatives of the various states met in Melbourne, Victoria. The site for Canberra was chosen in 1908, resolving a long running debate about where the National Capital should be located. The main rivals were Sydney and Melbourne, and the midway choice of The A,C.T. and Canberra was a diplomatic compromise. A competition for the design of the new city was held, and architect Walter Burley Griffin, an American, won the right to plan the city. He designed a city with spacious areas of parkland and a circular layout around the Parliamentary Centre.Newcomers to the city frequently get confused at the circular flow of streets, however the design makes for easy access to all parts of the city and, once you are used to it, it is easy to navigate. A feature of the new city is a lake, Lake Burley Griffin, which is 11 km. long. It was not until 1927 the first parliament sat in Canberra in the old Parliament House, which was replaced in 1988 by the new building behind it. Besides being the parliamentary capital of Australia, Canberra is also the repository of much of its history and art. Here you will find the National Gallery, the National Library, the National Science and Technology centre and many other national treasures, a full list will be found below. Canberra is also easily accessible. Only 50 kilometres from the Hume Highway between Melbourne and Sydney, and only 270 from Sydney, it has a large domestic airport and daily train and coach services. It is without doubt a place you must visit on your Australian touring holiday and one all Australians can be proud of. |
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PLACES OF INTEREST: King Edward Tce. Parkes. 02 6270 6811 Open Daily 10-4 Free Admission King George Tce. Parkes. 02 6277 5130. Daily 9-5. Free Entry ACCOMMODATION RESTAURANTS & DINING ATTRACTIONS INFORMATION CENTRE: Canberra Visitor Information Centre Northbourne Ave. Dickson. Australian Capital Territory. 2602 Telephone: Free Call. 1800 026 166 |
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© Copyright Peter W. Wilkins 2006 | |