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Sydney

capital city of New South Wales, Australia

258km

-33.9167151.1667

Brisbane

capital city of Queensland, Australia

856km

-27.472778153.027778

Adelaide

capital city of South Australia, Australia

1171km

-34.9267138.5991
Sights (12)

Blundells Cottage

A historic cottage of some of the earliest settlers of the area. Guided tours and school tours available.

1.5km

-35.293149.142

National Portrait Gallery (Australia)

The Gallery opened to the public on the 4 December 2008, and displays some 400 portraits of people who have shaped and who continue to shape the nation. There are gallery spaces for the collection and temporary exhibitions, public areas including a café, shop, function room, theatrette, education and school group areas, and basement car parking. Portraits are in various media, depending on the era. Galleries are themed by era. The web site gives a good idea of the content.

1.6km

-35.3149.133889

Parliament House, Canberra

The seat of Australia's federal government and legislature and a remarkable piece of modern architecture. Outside, the forecourt faces Federation Mall and has iconic views. Much of the inside is open to the public during business hours (your bags are x-rayed and persons pass through a metal detector at the entrance). When inside the building, do not miss: Queens Terrace upstairs towards the forecourt, and the roof (via an elevator close to walkway to the House of Representatives). Various art, including portraits of past prime ministers are hung in the hallways. Enthusiastic guides perform free tours daily at 10AM, 1PM and 3PM (no booking required). Tours are shorter when Parliament is sitting as the chambers are occupied.

2.4km

-35.308149.125

The Lodge (Australia)

The Prime Minister's official residence. Generally closed to the public and one can only see part of the garden from behind the wall. There are open days about once a year and if you are lucky to be in Canberra then, it shouldn't be missed.

3.0km

-35.310818149.116547

Mount Ainslie

mountain

3.2km

-35.27149.15833333

Royal Military College, Duntroon

The Australian Army's officer training college was established in 1911 and is one of the oldest institutions in Canberra. Duntroon is open to the public and includes a number of historic buildings (though it is generally not possible to enter them as they remain in use). A chapel built by Australian prisoners of war being held in harsh conditions at Changi in Singapore during the Second World War has also been relocated to Duntroon, and is located halfway along Miles Road.

4.1km

-35.29972222149.165

Red Hill, Australian Capital Territory

suburb of Canberra, Australia

4.6km

-35.333149.133

Government House, Canberra

The main official residence of the Governor-General of Australia, representative of Queen Elizabeth II in Australia. Closed to the public except for open days, which take place approximately twice a year. There is a viewing platform off the Lady Denman Drive, or glimpses can be seen from the main gate at Dunrossil Drive, Yarralumla, or Weston Park, Yarralumla. Often kangaroos are to be spotted munching grass on the lawns, so be careful driving along the ride that gets to the viewpoint, especially at dusk.

6.2km

-35.301612149.07767

Mount Majura

mountain

6.8km

-35.2375149.18055556

National Zoo & Aquarium

This privately owned zoo and aquarium offers the standard service plus special tours that allow interaction with the animals. The range of tours offers opportunities to interact with animals (feed or touch) including tigers, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, bears, dingos, elands and snakes. The tours are quite special and certainly worth it if you love animals. Make sure that you turn up at the 'Check in time' for a tour instead of the start time as the two are different.

7.1km

-35.30055556149.06944444

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

nature reserve in the Australian Capital Territory

29km

-35.46305556148.91333333

Snowy Mountains

141km

-36.5148.33333333
Nature

we will see

Canberra

Australia
Someday we will visit Canberra or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Canberra

Canberra is the purpose built capital city of Australia, located in the Australian Capital Territory in the south-east of New South Wales. A planned city with national monuments, museums, and galleries all built around large man-made lakes. The bush capital - Canberra is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with excellent cycling, gardens, parks, bushwalking and nature reserves.

Canberra covers an area of 814.2 square kilometres (314.4 sq mi) and is located near the Brindabella Ranges, approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) inland from Australia's east coast. It has an elevation of approximately 580 metres (1,900 ft) AHD; the highest point is Mount Majura at 888 m (2,913 ft). Other low mountains include Mount Taylor 855 m (2,805 ft), Mount Ainslie 843 m (2,766 ft), Mount Mugga Mugga 812 m (2,664 ft) and Black Mountain 812 m (2,664 ft).

In May 2012, the unemployment rate in Canberra was 3.4% which was lower than the national unemployment rate of 5.1%. As a result of low unemployment and substantial levels of public sector and commercial employment, Canberra has the highest average level of disposable income of any Australian capital city. The gross average weekly wage in Canberra is $1702 compared with the national average of $1485.80 (May 2013).

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Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

29°C14
Precipitation: 60 mm

Feb

28°C14
Precipitation: 51 mm

Mar

25°C12
Precipitation: 56 mm

Apr

20°C7
Precipitation: 49 mm

May

16°C4
Precipitation: 48 mm

Jun

12°C1
Precipitation: 38 mm

Jul

12°C0
Precipitation: 52 mm

Aug

14°C1
Precipitation: 47 mm

Sep

16°C4
Precipitation: 65 mm

Oct

20°C7
Precipitation: 62 mm

Nov

24°C10
Precipitation: 59 mm

Dec

27°C12
Precipitation: 46 mm