File:Canberra_panorama_from_Mount_Ainslie.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
Canberra
Also known as Canberra, Australia, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia and the only substantial settlement of the Australian Capital Territory. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney, it is Australia's largest inland city, and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. The city is located at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. Canberra's estimated population was 484,630.
AI overview
Canberra is Australia's capital city and largest inland city, built as a compromise location for the national government after the Australian colonies united. Located at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, it serves as the political center of the nation and is home to roughly half a million people.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
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Place details
- Locality
- Canberra
- Country
- Australia
- Population
- 367,752
- Timezone
- Australia/Sydney
via · GeoNames
Travel guide
Understand
350px|thumb|right|Parliament House in Canberra
Get around
Canberra is designed for cars and very spread out, so renting a car is the most practical option, particularly if you intend to venture beyond the city center. Public transport is usable but does not cover all points of interest, while renting a bicycle is a great alternative if the weather cooperates. Walking is not a practical option for most visitors.
See
thumb|250px|Old Parliament House in 2012 Canberra, as the national capital of Australia, contains a lot of government buildings, and many of them are often open for tours. By far the most significant one is Parliament House in Capital Hill, but other important buildings include the High Court of Australia, Old Parliament House, the Government House, the Royal Australian Mint and The Lodge, though not all of them are always open to the public. There are other buildings that are of national importance too, such as the National Library of Australia and the Australian War Memorial.
Most of the time, much of what to see in Canberra is located in South Canberra, or to be more specific, particularly more centred within Parliamentary Triangle which contains the High Court, National Archives, National Gallery, National Library, National Portrait Gallery, both the current Parliament House and the Old Parliament House and the science museum of Questacon.
The other parts of South Canberra don't have as many points of interest, but they are nevertheless still great sights worth visiting. The most notable sight in South Canberra outside Parliamentary Triangle is the Royal Australian Mint.
North Canberra too has several important sights, the most important of them all being the Australian War Memorial though there are many military sites in the east of North Canberra, particularly on Anzac Avenue.
Do
See the districts articles for more listings. thumb|250px|right|Lake Burley Griffin Ride Canberra's Mountain Bike Trails: There are several locations around Canberra to ride mountain bicycles, many of which are considered some of the best in Australia. See Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) for locations. Canberra is also home to the largest 24-hour Mountain Bike Race in the world, held in early October each year. Helpfully between Civic and the War Memorial, walk through the Heritage-listed suburb of Reid. Observe the houses with leafy surrounds, the wide roads, little walking paths and recreation areas, in one of the oldest untouched Canberran suburbs. As (some) locals would say: “as Burley Griffin intended”. Explore Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, which is about a 40-minute drive south of Canberra via Tuggeranong Parkway and Tharwa Drive. There are a large number of walks which offer stunning views of the Brindabella Mountains. You can also take Ranger-guided walks or have fun with the hands on displays such as the interactive computer program on Tidbinbilla's bird species and look at the live animal displays. The gift shop sells an interesting range of clothes, toys, books, cards and souvenirs. Coffee and light refreshments are also available. Go tobogganing in Go wine tasting in the Wineries around Canberra (most are outside of the ACT but all very close to Canberra). They are described as cool climate wines and some are very well known and regarded. Try Jeir Creek, Gallaghe…
~66 min read
Article
38 sectionsContents
- Name
- History
- First Nations peoples
- British exploration and colonisation
- Creation of the nation's capital
- Development throughout 20th century
- Self-government
- Geography
- Climate
- Urban structure
- Sustainability and the environment
- Government and politics
- Territory government
- Federal representation
- Judiciary and policing
- Economy
- Demographics
- Culture
- Education
- Arts, entertainment and events
- Media
- Sport
- Infrastructure
- Health
- Transport
- Roads
- Public transport
- Interstate rail
- Air travel
- Active transport
- Utilities
- Twin towns and sister cities
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Citations
- Sources
- External links
Canberra ( ; ) is the capital city of Australia and the only substantial settlement of the Australian Capital Territory. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney, it is Australia's largest inland city, and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. The city is located at the northern tip of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range. Canberra's estimated population was 484,630.
The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, by groups including the Ngunnawal and Ngambri. European settlement commenced in the first half of the 19th century, evidenced by surviving landmarks such as St John's Anglican Church and Blundells Cottage. On 1 January 1901, federation of the colonies of Australia was achieved. The capital city was founded and formally named as Canberra in 1913. Unusual among Australian cities, it is an entirely planned city, grounded in a design by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The Griffins' plan was influenced by garden city movement and featured geometric motifs aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill and City Hill. Its design can be viewed from its highest point at the Telstra Tower and the summit of Mount Ainslie. Other notable features include the National Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin.
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1913 establishments in AustraliaAustralian capital citiesAustralian Statistical Geography Standard 2011 ID same as WikidataAustralian Statistical Geography Standard 2016 ID same as WikidataAustralian Statistical Geography Standard 2021 ID different from WikidataAustralian Statistical Geography Standard 2021 ID same as WikidataCanberraCapital cities in OceaniaCities planned by Walter Burley GriffinCommons link from Wikidata