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I thought I might include regular posts on Australian cities which I have visited, providing both commentary, information and photos on these cities. What better place to start with than the nation’s capital, Canberra. I had a chance to visit the city again last January when my sister got married and spent a few days afterwards walking and cycling around the city and its attractions.

Canberra is located between Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, being 280km south-west of Sydney and 650km north-east of Melbourne. Like Brasilia, New Delhi and more recently, Astana, Canberra is a planned national capital. It was primarily chosen as the national capital of Australia to damped the huge rivalry and bickering between Sydney and Melbourne, and to this day is dwarfed physically, demographically and economically by the country’s two largest cities. Canberra and its surrounding area, which overflows into the surrounding state of New South Wales, only has a population of 340,000 people as opposed to Sydney’s 4.3 million people and Melbourne’s 3.8 million people.

Many Australians, especially Sydneysiders and Melburnians, deride the ‘bush capital’ as a boring, provincial, soul-less, surburban sprawl with well-manicured lawns and wide boulevards but little to do and see. But, this is quite harsh in reality as there are plenty of attractions to keep you interested, for the short-term at least. Granted, it’s not by any means a big, lively city but its many cultural attractions and public buildings make for an interesting visit.

American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin were the winners of an international competition on the capital’s design and construction commenced shortly after in 1911. Their design consisted largely of focal points being linked by radial avenues with concentric avenues around these focal points. The plans were amended somewhat due to budget constraints caused by Australia’s involvement in World War I. But, most of Burley Griffin’s plans were undertaken and his influence is still easily seen throughout the city with the man-made lake dividing North and South Canberra bearing his name.

Walter Burley Griffin's final plan for Canberra (1913)

Canberra's metropolitan area today, excluding Queanbeyan and surrounding NSW towns

Canberra city today

The main attractions in Canberra are: Parliament House, which was built in 1988 to commemorate Australia’s bicentenary of European invasion settlement; Old Parliament House, the house of Parliament from 1927 to 1988 (previously Melbourne was the house of Parliament from Federation in 1901 to 1927) where you have much greater access to the houses of Parliament and back-rooms where decisions were made; the Australian War Memorial; ANZAC Parade, with numerous sculptures devoted to those who gave their lives in service to Australia; the Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre with tons of great hands-on exhibits for kids and adults alike; Lake Burley Griffin and its foreshore, which provides great backdrops and photo shots with all the main attractions nearby; Telstra Tower, cause every self-respecting city should have a touristy tower where you can look down on the place; the National Library of Australia, which is required by law to hold every book published in Australia; and the National Museum of Australia, completed in 2001 and long over-due.

During my stay I visited both Parliament Houses, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia and cycled and walked across the central city, ANZAC Parade and Lake Burley Griffin. The highlights were getting to see live performances and be given a run-down of famous events which took place in the Old Parliament House, having a personal guided tour of the War Memorial, learning more of Australia’s war history and individuals who gave their lives, and my first visit to the National Museum, which is very well made with plenty of interesting and insightful exhibits.

Canberra is no London, Washington, Beijing, Tokyo, or Seoul. But, it is Australia’s laid-back, friendly ‘bush capital’ set in a beautiful location amongst rolling hills, valleys and mountains with plenty of attractions both natural and man-made. I say all Australians should visit the place at least once, and recommend foreign tourists visit the place if they have time as it’s unlike almost any other world capital around.

Below are some snapshots of my trip to Canberra, the rest of which are located in this album.

Inside St. Johns church, the oldest church in Canberra The House of Representatives at Parliament House Looking across Lake Burley Griffin towards Telstra Tower Australia's Parliament House

Stained glass windows honouring those fallen at the War Memorial The main foyer of Parliament House with Eucalyptus-themed pillars Red poppies in remembrance of fallen soldiers on the Roll of Honour Inside the Australian War Memorial