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Canberra, Australia's Capital City |
Canberra is Australia's capital and forms the political and cultural heart of the nation. With its multitude of parks and gardens, the national capital is particularly beautiful in spring and autumn. The average temperature in March ranges from 10C to 24C. About 300,000 people live in Canberra, and the airport is 10km east of the city. Buses connect city and suburban areas daily. The Downtowner Tram offers a free shuttle service Monday to Friday around the CBD. Canberra is serviced by the major transport companies and airlines and is an easy three hours drive from Sydney and a 50 minute flight from Melbourne.
Canberra's centrepiece is Lake Burley Griffin, featuring the Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet which flings a six-tonne column of water 140 metres into the air. In Civic, on the northern side of the lake are the shops, businesses, and Australian National University. Parliamentary and other important buildings are located to the south of the lake, surrounded by suburbs such as Yarralumla, home to the Prime Minister and Governor-General.
Attractions to see in and around the city include Parliament House, the nearly 70 diplomatic missions, National Gallery of Australia, the High Court, Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, the National Library of Australia, the Australian War Memorial, Telstra Tower, Old Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Film and Sound Archive Exhibition, National Museum of Australia, and the Royal Australian Mint.
Canberra offers a variety of restaurants and cafes and visitors can choose from a wide selection of cuisines.
