Canberra Things to Do Tips by tiabunna

I would highly recommend that this should be the starting point for even a hasty visit to Canberra. The free display (much is interactive and multi-lingual) presents interesting exhibits giving the history of Canberra and its design concept, so this will help considerably to explain Canberra's background and to place in context what you see on your visit.

The large model of central Canberra, shown in photo 2 should be very helpful for people trying to get their bearings, as the panoramic windows allow the actual buildings to be seen and a moving spotlight with voiceover explains details. On our most recent visit we arrived just as a short video was being shown in the theatrette, (photo 3) and found ourselves surrounded by rapt schoolchildren.

There is also a gift shop and cafe at the display, which is open 0900-1700 except Christmas Day.

When you leave, take a stroll in the adjacent Commonwealth Park. Various events are staged here, and by the lakeside you will find a large globe commemorating the voyages of Captain Cook (photo 4). If it is working when you visit (usually about lunch time) the Captain Cook Fountain also is a significant landmark (photo 5).

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Phone: (02) 6257 1068
Address: Barrine Dve, in Commonwealth Park
Directions: Turn left from the slip lane immediately before crossing the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge as you head from the city toward Parliament House . Then continue left to the car park on the rise.
Website: www.nationalcapital.gov.au

This should top the list as a 'must see'. Situated across the lake from Parliament House, along the Anzac Avenue axis (see heading photo) and directly below Mt Ainslie, the Australian War Memorial is the seemingly contrasting combination of a world-class war museum and a very solemn war memorial. You will be alternately fascinated and depressed by what you find there. The overall effect is tremendously moving.

I would suggest that you allow a day for a visit if possible. If only half a day is available, ensure you visit the Shrine to the Unknown Soldier and the Hall of Memories (where there are plaques listing over 100,000 Australians who have died in wars involving our country - well over half in WW1).

There are free guided tours of the Memorial. For those interested in family genealogy, there is also a comprehensive database of military records, available to family members.

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Phone: 02 6243 4211
Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell
Directions: At the foot of Mt Ainslie, where Limestone Avenue, Fairbairn Avenue and Anzac Parade meet. It's a little far to walk from the city, but you can get there on bus route 33 or 40 from the main bus interchange at Civic (the main city area).
Website: www.awm.gov.au

A visit to Mt Ainslie (846m) ties in well with a visit to the War Memorial, which it overlooks. The view gives an excellent perspective of the Parliamentary Triangle (National Library, Parliament House, National Gallery area) as well as the War Memorial and Anzac Parade and the main city area. If you have visited the National Capital Exhibition (see tip) it should all drop into place for you.

For my money, this view is better than that from the Black Mountain Tower, because it is more central - see my heading panorama. And it's free, what's more! Just to briefly explain what you see in the photo, the reddish area is the median strip of Anzac Parade. At the camera end of it, you see the back of the War Memorial. In line with it, on the other side of the lake, is Old Parliament House and, behind that, New Parliament House. Also across the lake, to the right, are Questacon (partly obscured by trees) and the National Library, while to the left are the High Court and National Gallery.

In the distance, slightly to the right, you can see a high rise office block at Woden Town Centre, one of Canberra's satellite urban centres. Beyond that are the Brindabella ranges, giving Canberra a marvellous mountain backdrop, often with snow on top during winter.

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Address: Mt Ainslie Dve
Directions: Drive to the east from the War Memorial on Fairbairn Ave (ie keep the War Memorial on your left) for about 1 km, then turn left into Mt Ainslie Dve. Continue up the hill to the carparks on the top.

When Parliament moved to Canberra in 1927, it opened in the 'temporary' building now known as Old Parliament House, which was used until 1988. This much-loved building has enormous character and now contains a museum and portrait gallery. It was built here, mid-point between Capital Hill and the lake, to allow space for a permanent Parliament House to be built at the lakeside (as set out in Burley Griffin's plan for Canberra), an idea later promoted by Sir Robert Menzies, Australia's Prime Minister in the 1950s and early 1960s, who envisaged the Queen arriving by Royal Barge to open Parliament by the lake.

There are many political stories relating to the old building which, because it was crowded, forced politicians, the media and the public into each other's company. That led to political intrigues, backroom chatter and leaks of information, and general merriment. The heritage-listed building still has its 1920s furniture and you can sit in the old Parliamentary Chambers which were the scene of many fiery debates. Kids can hunt for clues, with the aid of their familes, and even can put on period costumes. If you are interested in gardens, look at the extensive rose gardens at the sides of the building. This has been a winner in several recent National tourism awards.

And the title for this tip? It comes from one of the more famous speeches in Australian politics, given on the front steps in 1975 when the Whitlam Government was dissolved by the Governor General - the Queen's Man.

The building has a cafe and shop and is open daily 0900-1700, free guided tours are available (and recommended) and there are special displays. Entrance charges are $2A adults, $1A children/concession, $5A family.

Main PhotoView from across the lawns and fountains
Second PhotoThe view from above gives some perspective

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Phone: 02 6270 8222
Address: King George Terrace, Parkes
Directions: Between New Parliament House and the lake. An easy walk from any of the other buildings in the Parliamentary Triangle. You can reach it on bus routes 31,34,36 and 39.
Website: http://www.oph.gov.au/

The New Parliament House began with controversy, because of long arguments about where it should be sited. When the hill finally was agreed as the site for the New Parliament House, a contest led to the design of the current building complex, with the main building appearing to be built into the hill (actually the hill was entirely removed, then the roof grassed over). For security reasons it is no longer possible to walk on the roof.

The building complex consists of a large central area with grassed roof, an imposing facade, long curved walls on either side, with inter-connecting passages to separate office buildings on the outside. It cost what was considered a huge sum at the time, but that needs to be considered in the following context. Considered as a whole it is a very large building, additionally it is one of the very few buildings in Australia built with a design life of hundreds of years, so all materials and construction had to be first class.

The problem is that the large scale of the building and its layout means that Ministers can largely avoid contact with anyone should they wish. So the hurley-burley of the Old Parliament House no longer occurs and Parliament is the poorer for it. Maybe with time it will change, but having worked there briefly I have my doubts. If I sound negative, it is only about the workings of the building. In itself it is, indeed, a very impressive 'must see', of which Australia can be very proud and I do recommend a visit.

Join a free guided tour of the building (every 30 minutes 0900-1600), you will learn far more than could ever be presented here. The building is open 0900 -1700 daily except Christmas Day, there is a shop open the same hours as the building, and a licensed cafe open daily 0930 -1630.

Main photo New Parliament house from above (low elevation)
Second photo A high elevation view shows the building's form and the circular roads
Third photo Ground level view, with Old Parliament House in the foreground.

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Phone: 02 6277 5399
Address: Capital Hill
Directions: Visible from most of inner Canberra, the easiest public access is to take the slip lane from the right of Commonwealth Avenue as you approach from the city, then follow the signs to the parking. Bus routes 31,34 and 39 will get you there.
Website: http://www.aph.gov.au/

At 81metres high, the flagpole on New Parliament House is one of the world's largest stainless steel structures. The sheer size of it is not easily appreciated from a distance, but get up close and it becomes more obvious. Although security now precludes going to the top of the grassed roof of the building, you will still be able to get sufficiently close to appreciate it fully.

The flag on top may not look large, that is because of its height and the dimensions of the pole supporting it: the flags are actually about the size of a double-decker bus! Flags of differing fabric weights are used, depending on the wind conditions - if winds will be light, a gauzy flag is flown, if they are strong, a flag made from heavier fabric is used. The flagpole designers overcame the design problems of how to raise and lower the flags by consulting some of Australia's top yacht designers. There also is a small carriage on one of the sloping legs, to take maintenance workers up, should that be necessary.

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Phone: 02 6277 5399
Address: New Parliament House, Capital Hill
Website: http://www.aph.gov.au/

It is probably fair to state that Anzac Parade is by far the most important ceremonial parade in Australia. Flanking the Parade are separate memorials to units of the military forces and to various campaigns. Fittingly, the first installed was to the Mounted Infantry of Australia and New Zealand (ANZAC is the acronym for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who operated in the Middle East in 1916-1918, during WW1. This is on the western side of Anzac Parade, not far from St John's Church.

The attached photos give a sampling of the memorials, but there are many more to see. Suggestion: take a walk up and down Anzac Parade to view the memorials, also including St John's church and school museum (see separate tip) - this will take about half a day without rushing.

If you can organise a group (there is a minimum number limit) you can book free guided tours, presented by National Capital Authority volunteer guides.

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Phone: (02) 6272 2910
Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell
Directions: Anzac Parade extends from the War Memorial to Constitution Avenue. Bus routes 33 and 40 to the Australian War Memorial, bus routes 30,38 and 80 to St John's Church and schoolhouse museum at the other end of Anzac Parade.

St John’s Anglican Church was built in 1845 to serve the needs of the local agricultural community. It is one of the oldest buildings in the ACT and has memorials inside to pioneers of the area, many of whom are buried in the adjacent churchyard. In the years since the growth of Canberra, it has become one of the more significant churches in the ACT, often visited by Prime Ministers and other dignitaries.

Behind the church, and often overlooked, is the original St John’s schoolhouse, which was the only school in the district from the 1840s until 1880. It now has been restored as a small museum of both the school and of the local community and is open from 1000-1200 on Wednesdays and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1400-1600 and to group bookings.

(A visit here will fit well in a half day walk combined with Anzac Parade - see separate tip).

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Phone: Museum (02) 6249 6839
Address: Constitution Avenue, Reid (corner of Anzac Park)
Directions: Enter from the side road immediately behind the embankments at the (City) side of Anzac Parade, near the traffic lights of the Constitution Avenue/Anzac Parade intersection.

If I suggested that you visit The National Science and Technology Centre, built in 1988 as a joint Australian and Japanese project to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary, it would sound rather dull and technical. But if I said Whatever you do, don't miss Questacon I would be using the popular name for the same place - and believe me it is far from being dull and technical.

Questacon is a very interactive series of displays (some ongoing, but many changing often) designed to make science fun for kids of all ages. In it, you are involved in simple experiments to demonstrate science through personal discovery. As just a few examples, you can experience an earthquake, learn of the science behind fun parks, watch lightning strike, play with music and find out about acoustics, or test your latent sporting abilities. There are plenty of volunteer 'explainers' to provide any needed clarification of what things are about. Not surprisingly, it is a popular destination for school groups and usually is crowded on weekends.

Probably because the car parks are at the back, everyone seems to enter through the cafe rather than through the main entrance!

Main photo: Questacon as you approach from the carparks
Second photo: Entry via the cafe
Third photo: Questacon seen from the balloon

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Phone: Information 1800 020 603 recepti
Address: King Edward Tce, Canberra.
Directions: If driving, take the first slip lane to the left after crossing the lake on Commonwealth Ave Bridge, then continue ahead through the traffic lights. Questacon is just past the National Library. You can reach it using bus route 34.
Website: www.questacon.edu.au

The National Library building, in a style called “contemporary classical’ is one of Canberra’s more imposing and stately buildings and a favourite of most people. The building was opened in 1968, just seven years after the architect received the brief for it: he subsequently commented that he considered it his finest achievement. I’m unfamiliar with his other work, but this certainly would be hard to top! Don’t just drive past, stop and look at the artworks which embellish it: outside there is a large lintel sculpture and copper panels; inside there are huge tapestries, wall hangings and stained glass windows. Also in the foyer area, you will find a museum display with changing exhibits of rare and fascinating material. Entry to and use of the library is free.

The NLA has the task of collecting and preserving all the significant documentary material relating to Australia and the Australian people – and, what's more, it also has to make it accessible to everyone! This is the largest reference library in Australia, and yes, you can walk in and ask to see a particular item in the reading room or the map room. Best of all for those with interests in genealogy, it has excellent genealogical records and facilities for viewing both digitised records and micro-copied material. Do you want to find out about your convict ancestors? The material from the Public Records Office is available here, plus extensive other records of migrant ships coming to Australia and other relevant old data.

Times change and now the NLA is responding by providing more data online, as well as the opportunity to shop for special publications. While you may live somewhere far overseas from Australia, I can recommend you substitute a visit with a virtual visit via the website below.

Main photo: National Library seen from across the lake
Second photo: Approaching the National Library from near Questacon
Third photo: Aerial perspective of the Library looking east .

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Phone: (02) 6262 1111
Address: National Library of Australia, Canberra ACT 2601
Directions: Take the first turnoff on the left at the southern end of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, between the city area and New Parliament House – you can’t miss it.
Website: www.nla.gov.au