City Guide

CANBERRA

A smooth lake, a glamorous gallery and a whole lotta politics.

Canberra is often described by Australians who haven't been there as a boring town, full of politicians, bureaucrats - and not much else. But those who go there find a picturesque spot with beautiful galleries and museums, as well as excellent restaurants, bars and cafes.

One of only two capital cities in the world that have been built to a premeditated design, Canberra is rather eerily symmetrical. Placed about its nice, planned combinations of straight and curving streets are the old and new Parliament Houses, the National Gallery, and the National Museum.

'It's just like a little country town, isn't it? Charming, of course, but just a little country town.' - The Duchess of Kent, after visiting Canberra in 1970.

Timezones

Gmt +10

The ACT is 80km (50mi) from north to south and is about 30km (19mi) wide. It is landlocked within the mountainous country of southeastern New South Wales, 305km (190mi) from Sydney by road. Canberra and its surrounding suburbs are in the northeast of the territory, while the Namadgi National Park occupies the whole southwestern area. The population grew from 50,000 in 1960 to 100,000 in 1967 and has soared to more than 300,000 today.

Orientation

Canberra is arranged around the artificial Lake Burley Griffin. In Civic, on the northern side of the lake, are the shops, businesses, university and suburbs such as Reid, Braddon, Turner and Acton. Parliamentary and other administrative buildings are located to the south of the lake, surrounded by suburbs such as Parkes, Barton, Forrest, Deakin and Yarralumla (home to the prime minister and governor-general). Canberra is also surrounded by the satellite towns of Woden, Belconnen and Tuggeranong.

Canberra's airport is about 7km (4mi) east of the city. Interstate buses arrive at the Jolimont Centre, which is in the centre of Civic. The railway station is in Kingston, on the south side of the lake. Most shops and restaurants are in Civic and Manuka, also just south of the lake, with a few cafes sprinkled through the inner suburbs. Each satellite town has its own charming mall. Civic is also the centre of Canberra's nightlife, which is somewhat more lively than its reputation suggests.

Events

The Canberra Festival celebrates the city's birthday over 10 days in March with music, food, a mardi gras, displays, a raft race and a parade. March also brings the huge National Folk Festival to Canberra. Spring is celebrated with the Floriade Festival, when Commonwealth Park becomes a riot of floral colour. Canberra is best avoided at New Year when the Street Machine Summer Nats brings hot-rods and wet t-shirt competitions to the nation's capital.

New Year's Day
official holiday
1 January

Australia Day
official holiday
26 January

Canberra Day
official holiday
March

Easter
official holiday
Good Friday
Easter Monday (March/April)

Anzac Day
official holiday
25 April

Queen's Birthday
official holiday
2nd Monday in June

Bank Holiday
official holiday
1st Monday in August

Labour Day
official holiday
1st Monday in October

Christmas Day
official holiday
25 December

Boxing Day
official holiday
26 December

Autumn (March to May) in Canberra is quite simply gorgeous. The days are sunny and crisp, the trees are changing and everything looks lovely. Winter (June to August) is cold; really, really cold. There are mornings when it feels like breathing in will freeze your lungs, but the sky is usually blue and the weather is sunny. Spring (September to November) is much wetter and windier, though the very popular Floriade festival brightens things up. Summer (December to February) can be just a bit too hot.

Getting there and away

Canberra does not have an international airport, but there are flights from all Australian State capital cities, and from some of the bigger towns within NSW. If you are travelling to Canberra from one of the smaller State capitals you may have to make a stopover in Sydney or Melbourne on the way.

The airport is 7km (4mi) southeast of the city centre. You can get a shuttle minibus to the Jolimont Centre in town.

Buses run to Canberra from Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, with connections to the other capitals. You can also catch buses to Canberra from the south coast, the snowfields, the rest of NSW and the South Coast. Trains run from Sydney, or you can do a combined bus-train trip from Melbourne.

The Hume Highway, which runs between Melbourne and Sydney, passes about 50km (30mi) north of Canberra - you can drive to Goulburn or to Yass to join up with it, depending whether you're heading north or south. The Monaro highway to the south will take you to Cooma, the snowfields and the coast.

Getting around

Public transport in Canberra means the ACTON bus service (popular tourist buses covering most sights include No's 33, 34, 40 and 80) which runs regular routes throughout Canberra and is a relatively cheap way to get around. ACTON have a new Flexibus evening service (after 6.00pm) which will incredibly veer off the set route to go as close to its passenger's destination as possible. They will also come and collect you if you call (13 17 10). For more information on routes and times call 612 6207 7611. Another good way to see Canberra is by bicycle if you're fit (Canberra has an excellent network of bike paths) or, if you're not fit, by car.