Australian Capital Territory - Destination Australian Capital Territory

When Australia became a federation in 1901 both SYdney & Melbourne wanted to be the capital of the newly unified nation and no amount of rows could resolve the issue.  Eventually someone decided that an entirely new city should be built.  In a refreshingly open-minded gesture for the time, the city was named after the local Aboriginal word for 'meeting place'.  Thus Canberra and the ACT were added to the map.  Canberra offers a wealth of cultural and historical information about the country as well as the unique houses of parliament, and should not be missed.

Canberra is an attractive place to wander about, with plenty of open spaces and greenery.  In the centre is the scenic Lake Burley Griffith, with Captain Cook's Memorial Fountain in the middle.  On the south side of the lake is capital hill, topped by Australia's unique Parliament House.  The Old Parliament House is also open to visitors.  Mount Black and its Telstra Tower offers great views over the city.  You can get all arty in the Australian National Gallery and Canberra also houses the National Technology Centre, the Australian Insitute of Sport, the National Museum, War Memorial, and the Australian Royal Mint, also check out the National Aquarium and Wildlife Sanctuary.  Canberra is a university town and during the term time the young students give the city and its nightspots some youthful exuberance which it lacks during the summer.