Canberra, the national capital and Australia’s only city built entirely custom-built for a purpose, offers a stark contrast to the other attractions. For many people, Australia is all about the blue ocean waters and sandy beaches, the multi-coloured reef, the tropical rainforests that border the reef, and the dry and dusty but adventurous interior. Canberra, on the other hand, is a man-made natural retreat with lush gardens; however, along with golden autumn and lively spring, lives a vibrant city with wonderful people. There may not be any surfing or sea diving in Canberra, but the laid-back life and endearing sights and sounds will tug at tourists’ heartstrings long after they’re gone.
Situated inland, Canberra has a continental climate with climatic extremes, with January being the hottest and July the coldest, with occasional thunderstorms between October and March. You must pack your bags according to the season. While it is advisable to avoid the extreme months, Canberra can be enjoyed in all seasons and in all climates. Planned around two perpendicular axes, one aquatic and the other terrestrial, it is between 550 and 700 m above sea level. The Molonglo River flows through Canberra, which has been damaged to form a man-made lake called Lake Burley Griffin, named after the city’s American architect.
Being the national capital always has its own meaning. And like all national capitals, Canberra also has its national monuments and institutions. The Australian War Memorial, dedicated to all the martyrs who died defending the Commonwealth, is situated at the northern end of the city axis and includes a beautiful monument, memorial area, sculpture garden and Remembrance Driveway. The National Gallery of Australia, designated as the national gallery, houses priceless works of Australian art (including Aboriginal tradition), Western art, Eastern art, modern art, crafts, sculpture and visiting artifacts. The National Portrait Gallery, currently located in Old Parliament House, features a collection of prominent Australians and is a must-see for all visitors to Commonwealth Place. Commonwealth Place, situated on the southern shore of Lake Griffin, is also home to Reconciliation Australia, dedicated to the cause of greater harmony between indigenous and settler populations, public walks, restaurants and Speakers Square. This location offers spectacular views of the Old and New Parliament Houses, as well as Griffin Lake. Apart from this, tourists find the National Library of Australia, the National Archives, the National (again, national) Museum and other public buildings of interest. Adjacent to Lake Griffin is the Captain Cook Memorial and the National Carillon. Rising 195 meters from the top of Black Mountain, Telstra Tower offers panoramic views of the city and has a revolving restaurant at the top. The nearby Botanical Gardens have more than 5,500 species of native and foreign flora.
Other points of interest include the National Zoo and Aquarium, the Dinosaur Museum, the Questacon Science and Technology Center, etc. The Canberra theater and theater play host to major concerts and programmes. The Australian National University Street Theater is always packed with boisterous performances from students and fans. Stonefest, which takes place at the end of October at the University of Canberra, is the largest music festival. Many public festivals dot the city’s calendar, including the National Folk Festival, the Royal Canberra Show, the Summernats car festival and Celebrate Canberra, which takes place over ten days in March to coincide with Canberra Day (12 May). March). Known for its sporting atmosphere, Canberra is home to world-class events and teams in rugby, netball, field hockey, Australian rules football, cricket and tennis.
Canberra is close to its natural environment. ACT Forests and Molonglo Gorge, Bird Walk at Federation Square, Black Mountain Scenic Spots, Cooleman Ridge, Casuarina Sands and Kambah Pool, Corin Forest Mountain Retreat, Cotter Reserve, Googong Foreshores are just a few of the many natural wonders that attract tourists from all over Australia and the world.
In a nutshell, Canberra is not just your typical capital city. It may be new, but it has its own distinctive look. Its innumerable attractions [http://www.beachresort.com.au/html/attractions.htm] enamored visitors one and all.
