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Canberra Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Canberra
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Canberra Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Canberra - Australia's capital city, Canberra, had a
difficult birth, punctuated by political infighting, wars and the
Great Depression, but it is now a thriving modern city which,
together with its surrounds, makes up Australia's Capital
Territory. Canberra lies 95 miles (150km) in from the East Coast,
by road 175 miles (280km) from Sydney and 415 miles (660km) from
Melbourne.
Like most capitals of the world,
Canberra boasts an architectural heritage in its civic and
Government buildings, but Canberra is also blessed with some of the
loveliest surroundings of any national capital. There are more than
30 Australian artistic and cultural institutions located in
Canberra, ranging from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament
House, surmounted by a colossal stainless-steel flagpole and set in
23 hectares of gardens. In the centre of Lake Burley Griffin, the
impressive Captain Cook Memorial Jet shoots a six-ton column of
water 482ft (147m) into the air, while on the shore the National
Gallery of Australia houses the country's premier public art
collection spanning about 5,000 years of international
art. Canberra is also known for its spring
festival, Floriade, when the parks and gardens surrounding Lake
Burley Griffin explode with colourful displays of massed tulips and
other blooms. The city, with its many parklands, is especially
beautiful in spring and autumn.
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Canberra
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Canberra Deep Space Centre
421 Discovery Drive, Tourist Drive 5,
Tidbinbilla
www.cdscc.nasa.gov |
What is it? The Canberra Space Centre contains a
collection of space memorabilia, models, theatres and interactive
exhibits covering the last 40 years of space flight and
exploration. Visitors can weigh themselves on the moon and see Mars
in 3-D.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm (until 6pm in summer). Closed
Christmas Day
Phone:(02) 6201 7880 |
2. Michelago Tourist Railway
Henderson Rd, Queanbeyan
www.arhsact.org.au |
What is it? The Australian Railway Historical Society Inc
operates regular Sunday steam train rides to Royalla on the first
and third Sunday of each month, and on the second and fourth Sunday
operates rail motor trains to Royalla. Ride the "Spirit of
Tuggeranong" or the "Tin Hare Express" to Royalla, enjoy a picnic
lunch and then hop back on for the return trip. Other trips
available include evening railroad dinner and dancing trips. The
trains operate from Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson
Road.
Hours of Operation: Office hours: 10am to 3pm (weekdays)
Phone:(02) 6284 2790 |
3. Australian National Botanic Gardens
Clunies Ross Street, Acton
www.anbg.gov.au/anbg |
What is it? The Australian National Botanic Gardens,
sited on the slopes of Black Mountain, is the world's finest living
collection of Australian native plants. Set among natural
eucalypts, they provide an ideal setting to display the nation's
unique and beautiful floral heritage. The variety of eco-systems in
the Gardens encourages a host of birds. Other features include the
Aboriginal Track, a Rock Garden, Rainforest Gully, the Mallee and
the Tasmanian Garden.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8.30am to 5pm (until 6pm weekdays and 8pm
weekends in January)
Phone:(02) 6250 9450 |
Canberra
holidays - Top Events
1. National Multicultural Festival
From 2007-02-05
To 2007-02-18
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What is it? The highlight of the cultural calendar of
Australia's capital city is the 10-day extravaganza of
entertainment and art, which makes up the annual National
Multicultural Festival starting on the first Friday of every
February. The festival launches with a huge concert which is
followed on the succeeding ten days by a wide variety of
exhibitions, open air markets, music performances, theatre, dance
and numerous other events organised by all manner of businesses,
organisations and diplomatic missions.
Where is it? Various throughout Canberra |
2. Royal Canberra Show
From 2007-02-23
To 2007-02-25
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What is it? The countryside comes to town for the Royal
Canberra Show, popular for all ages and stages with its livestock,
exhibits, fireworks and grand parades. More than 150 attractions
pull the crowds to Exhibition Park, along with 5000 or more
animals, hundreds of trade displays and thousands of competitors
vying for various awards. Admission costs are AU$15 for adults and
AU$8 for children aged 6-16 years. Concessions are
available.
Where is it? Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell |
3. Canberra Balloon Fiesta
From 2007-04-01
To 2007-04-30
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What is it? The sight of dozens of colourful hot air
balloons rising gently into the early morning air from the lawns in
front of Canberra's Old Parliament House is stirring. Perhaps that
is why Canberra's Fiesta has become Australia's premier ballooning
event, and the city's signature autumn event. To complement the
spectacle of the majestic balloons, there are also numerous other
entertainments, sideshows and food stalls laid on in the vicinity
for the duration of the fiesta.
Where is it? Old Parliament House Lawns |
4. National Folk Festival
From 2007-04-05
To 2007-04-09
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What is it? Thousands of entertainers, from story-tellers
to circus clowns, and folk singers to crafters, gather together
each Easter in Canberra for a mammoth folk-fest. No stone on the
vast field of Australia's multi-cultural population is left
unturned in this exciting themed event in a cleverly created
village atmosphere. Besides a full concert programme, dance
performances, poetry readings, free music lessons and children's
entertainment the festival offers thrilling shopping opportunities
at hundreds of stalls and plenty of delicious food, from paella to
pizza and beyond.
Where is it? Exhibition Park |
5. International Chamber Music Festival
From 2007-05-04
To 2007-05-13
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What is it? The chamber music on offer in Canberra's
well-known annual Autumn series, played by brilliant international
and Australian artists, is enhanced by the settings chosen for the
concerts. The venues are all unique to Canberra, being inside
embassies, national institutions and churches, all of national
importance.
Where is it? Various |
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