CANBERRA – THE BUSH CAPITAL

Canberra is the Australian only city which does not lie on the coast. However, the sugar-white sands and emerald waters of Jervis Bay can be reached in 3 hours by car. What thrills much more, however, is the close distance of the famous Snowy Mountains. Indeed, Canberra is one of the coldest places in Australia, when during the winter months temperatures drop below zero, which is usually a good sign for all the skiing lovers heading towards the famous Mount Kosciuszko (2228 m) – the highest peak of Australia.

What is more, the city is filled with historical sites but also contemporary art and culture that are best reflected in fantastic international blockbuster events. For those who are fond of sightseeing, there is much to discover.

CITY CHARACTER & LIFESTYLE

The residents of ACT are big nature lovers and passionate campers, and they absolutely adore Canberra`s outdoors. There are numerous national park and nature reserves around the city, and most of the attractions are easy to reach. And if anyone gets bored the bustling Sydney is just 3-4 hours drive or 1-hour flight.

The ACT is a contemporary town, set within large parks and gardens with lakes and fountains. It is a safe and clean city, and it might not have a beach, but it is home to many national attractions and important institutions.

Canberra is mostly associated with history, culture and art and it teams artistic exhibitions, cultural events, and colourful festivals.  And for food lovers, there is more than enough to taste – exquisite wines and gourmet delights are locally produced with great pride.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CANBERRA

HISTORICAL LANDMARKS

• Australian War Memorial – a national military site
• Captain James Cook Memorial – built on the Lake Griffin, it stands to the honour of Captain Cook who recorded the first sighting of the Australian East Coast of
• Australian Parliament House – the symbol of Canberra,  built in 1988
• National Museum of Australia – a country`s social history exhibition
• Anzac Parade Walk – a 2,5 km long wonderful walk capturing many historical and nationally important sites

ART AND CULTURE

• National Portrait Gallery – a modern gallery of portraiture
• National Gallery of Australia – a traditional showcase of Aboriginal and other Australian art
• National Library of Australia – the largest  reference library in Australia
• Questacon – modern, interactive  and educational science and technology centre

NATURAL RESERVES

• Lake Burley Griffin – this artificially created city lake is a masterpiece of Canberra and a popular leisure activity location. There are cycling trails, ferry rides, walking tracks, picnic areas across 6 islands within the lake.  Visitors are free to kayak, row, paddleboard and swim, of course
• Mount Ainslie Lookout – you can walk, cycle or drive to the lookout for fantastic city views
• National Zoo and Aquarium – visit the animal park to learn about Australian fauna and see rare species either via day walking tour or an overnight safari
• Australian National Botanic Gardens – discover the extensive collection of Australian plants while walking through the wide range of vegetation, covering the areas from the northern tropics to the southern coast
• Cotter Reserve – a pleasant venue for a picnic, swimming, fishing, bushwalking, and relaxation

LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Old bus depot markets – Canberra`s most famous markets are an absolute must! Try freshly roasted coffee, good selection of local wines, fantastic local and  international food and all you would expect to find at a market (Sundays only)
• Canberra Theatre/Cinema – visit the historic theatre of Canberra or some of its modern cinemas
• Canberra New Years Eve or Australia Day fireworks – witness ACT`s spectacular fireworks, when the city lights up over Lake Griffin
• Wine tasting tours – try a wine tour to remember: a tour to Canberra District Wines will not leave anyone disappointed
• Balloon Flights – daily hot air balloon rides ran by the Balloon Aloft offer the best views of the ‘Bush Capital’ and its surrounds
• Canberra Balloon Spectacular – even if you don`t take the ride yourself you can enjoy a wonderful hot air balloon spectacle any early morning, for over 15 days if you visit ACT in March
• Floriade – the major annual event in Canberra is a spring flower festival that offers lots of entertainment, regional food, and wine, but of course, mainly magnificent displays of flowers, sculptures, and other artistic creations

TRAVEL TIP

Stay and eat like an African in the middle of Australia! The increasingly famous Jamala Wildlife Lodge provides the guests with a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a true safari adventure right in your bed. How? The accommodation facility is built alongside the National Zoo and Aquarium which gives the guests the opportunity to watch the animals from their window. When making a booking just choose which animal will be outside your room!

WHEN TO TRAVEL

Canberra`s cool winter weather might sometimes be discouraging, but springtime usually brings lovely temperatures and the famous Floriade Festival (Sep-Oct) while the late summer hosts Canberra Balloon Spectacular in March. Also, Summertime (Nov-Apr) is very enjoyable, especially for swimming and bushwalking, but it can get very hot.  

HOW TO GET THERE

Canberra has an international airport well-connected to most of the world

For all flights go to www.momondo.com or www.skyscanner.com