Capital Territory Travel Guide
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was created as a
compromise; both Sydney and Melbourne thought that they should be
Australia's capital city and the authorities decided that the only
answer was to create a new city, within its own territory, between
the two rivals. ACT is landlocked in the mountainous state of
south-eastern New South Wales; Sydney is 190 miles (306km) to the
northwest. The territory is tiny by Australian standards; it is 50
miles (80km) from north to south and about 20 miles (30km) wide.
The capital city, Canberra, and its surrounding suburbs are in the
northeast of the territory and surrounded by the artificial Lake
Burley Griffin; the parliament and other government buildings are
located to the south of the lake, and in the north is Civic, where
visitors will find the university, the main shopping and business
district and most of the nightlife, which, contrary to reputation,
is fairly lively. The Namadgi National Park occupies the whole
southwestern area of the Territory.
Capital Territory Travel Guide
Money:
Time:
GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first
Sunday in April).
Electricity:
Language:
Health:
Tipping:
Safety:
Customs:
Business:
Duty Free:
Capital Territory Travel Guide
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Description:
The Canberra Space Centre contains a collection of space
memorabilia, models, theatres and interactive exhibits covering the
last 40 years of space flight and exploration. Visitors can weigh
themselves on the moon and see Mars in 3-D.
Address:
421 Discovery Drive, Tourist Drive 5,
Tidbinbilla
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)2 6201 7880
Email:
cdscc-prc@anbe.cdscc.nasa.gov
Website:
www.cdscc.nasa.gov
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Description:
The Australian Railway Historical Society Inc operates regular
Sunday steam train rides to Royalla on the first and third Sunday
of each month, and on the second and fourth Sunday operates rail
motor trains to Royalla. Ride the 'Spirit of Tuggeranong' or the
'Tin Hare Express' to Royalla, enjoy a picnic lunch and then hop
back on for the return trip. Other trips available include evening
railroad dinner and dancing trips. The trains operate from
Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Road.
Address:
Geijera Place, at the end of Cunningham Street, in
Kingston
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)2 6284 2790
Email:
Website:
www.arhsact.org.au
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Description:
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, sited on the slopes of
Black Mountain, is the world's finest living collection of
Australian native plants. Set among natural eucalypts, they provide
an ideal setting to display the nation's unique and beautiful
floral heritage. The variety of eco-systems in the Gardens
encourages a host of birds. Other features include the Aboriginal
Track, a Rock Garden, Rainforest Gully, the Mallee and the
Tasmanian Garden.
Address:
Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)2 6250 9540
Email:
anbg-info@anbg.gov.au
Website:
www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/index.html
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Description:
View exotic and native animals, ocean and freshwater fish,
reptiles and amphibians. See leopards, lions, tigers, cougars,
bears, monkeys, Tasmanian devils, sharks and Barrier Reef exhibits.
Feed kangaroos and pat dingoes. The complex is beside Lake Burley
Griffin, and large habitats provide ideal viewing for education and
enjoyment.
Address:
Scrivener Dam, 999 Lady Denman Drive, Weston
Creek
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)2 6287 8400
Email:
info@nationalzoo.com.au
Website:
www.zooquarium.com.au
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Description:
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek
Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and
landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's landmark attractions. As
well as the stunning miniature displays and breathtaking gardens,
there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze, several cafés, a barbecue,
picnic and playground areas and a steam train ride that circles the
grounds.
Address:
Gold Creek Village, 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls
Postcode:
Telephone:
(02) 6230 2273
Email:
info@cockingtongreen.com.au
Website:
www.cockingtongreen.com.au
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Description:
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has
the best collection of art in the country. The Australian
collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to
20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and
Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem
Land,
pukumaniburial poles from the Tiwi people and printed
fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The
Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted
hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land.
The Memorial
,a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is dedicated
to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives defending
their country since European settlement. There's also plenty of
foreign art from all eras, and many important international
exhibitions are exhibited in Canberra on their way around the
world. The collection is not confined to paintings; sculptures,
prints, drawings, photographs, furniture, ceramics, fashion,
textiles and silverware are all on display.
Address:
Parkes Place, Parkes
Postcode:
Telephone:
(0)2 6240 6411
Email:
information@nga.gov.au
Website:
www.nga.gov.au
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Description:
Consistently voted Canberra's premier tourist attraction, the
Australian War Memorial is not only a fitting tribute to the men
and women who gave their lives in service of their country, but
also a fascinating, highly-informative museum, that seeks to
educate modern Australians about the conflicts that have blighted
their country's past. Housing an in-depth exhibition for every war
Australia has ever been involved in, and boasting passionate,
knowledgeable tour guides, visitors are strongly advised to set
aside at least half a day to do the museum justice. A must-see for
anyone seeking a sobering, humanising reminder of how dearly war
can cost a nation.
Address:
Treloar Crescent, Canberra
Postcode:
Telephone:
(02) 6243 4211
Email:
info@awm.gov.au
Website:
www.awm.gov.au
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