Canberra ACT 2601 (Pop 325 800)

Canberra is Australia’s ‘bush’ capital and largest inland city, although quite small for a national capital. . It is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory (covering 805 sq km), 280 km s-w of Sydney & 650 km n-e of Melbourne. Original inhabitants were the Ngunnawal and Walgalu Aborigines who named the area Kanberra meaning ‘meeting place’. White settlement began in 1820s and the oldest surviving building is St John the Baptist Anglican Church (1845). As Australia’s seat of government, Canberra is site of Parliament House, the High Court of Australia and many government departments & agencies. Canberra is also home to the National Gallery of Australia & National Musuem of Australia and the federal government is the largest single employer. National Multicultural Festival (Feb), Royal Canberra Show (Feb), Canberra Day (March), Floriade (Sept-Oct), Days of Wine and Roses (Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Central Canberra:  (all open daily with free admission) – Parliament House, National Archives of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial, National Museum of Australia. (Open daily with fees) – Old Parliament House, Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, Blundell’s Cottage.

Nearby: North Canberra: Mt. Ainslie Lookout; Canberra Space Dome and Observatory, (Hawdon Pl, Dickson). Open Tues-Sat nights/fee applies. Australian National Botanic Gardens, (Clunies Ross St. Acton). Telstra Tower, (Mountain Dr. Acton). Open to 10pm/fee applies. Australian Institute of Sport, (Leverrier Cres. Bruce). Open daily/free entry. National Zoo and Aquarium, (Lady Denman Dr. Yarralumla). Open daily/free entry. Royal Australian Mint, (Denison St. Deakin). Open daily/ free entry. South Canberra: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (Paddys River Rd, Tidbinbilla). Open daily/free entry. Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (off Paddy’s River Rd, Tidbinbilla). Open daily/free entry. Corin Forest (Corin Rd, Smokers Gap). Open daily/free entry. Namadgi NP (via Naas Rd from Tharwa).

Visitor Information Centre: 333 Northbourne Ave, Dickson. Tel (02) 6205 0044 or 1300 554 114.

Airport:
Canberra International Airport (CBR), 2 Brindabella Cct, Pialligo. Tel (02) 6275 2222. (7 km east)

Hospitals:
Canberra Hospital, Yamba Dr, Garran. Tel (02) 6244 2222 (8 km south) and Calvary Health Care ACT, Mary Potter Cct, cnr Belconnen Way & Haydon Dr, Bruce. Tel (02) 6201 6111. (12 km n-w).