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Canberra Sights and Landmarks Guide, Australia

Canberra might not be Australia’s largest city, since it is surpassed by Sidney, but it is the country’s capital and it is a great holiday destination for tourists. Canberra is a relatively young city, it was built at the beginning of the 20th century to be the capital of Australia, in order to put an end to the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney. Despite its newness, it has many interesting places to see and it certainly doesn’t lack a cultural life. Many of the locals are either students or government employees, so you can expect to find a culturally and linguistically diverse city with a lively atmosphere. This Canberra Sights Guide will briefly describe the places and things you absolutely mustn’t miss when visiting this vibrant city.

Canberra Sights Guide - Museums

Canberra Museum and Gallery is a recently established institution that houses an impressive permanent and ever-expanding collection depicting the history of Canberra. It also hosts different exhibitions of foreign and Australian art. There are several interesting displays that are well worth visiting, and besides that, entry to the museum is free. Canberra is home to the National Gallery of Australia, the largest and most impressive museum in the country. The building in itself is a modern work of art that took years to design. It houses a remarkable display of Aboriginal art, in addition to expansive collections of Asian, European and Australian paintings are sculptures. If you want to see something unusual, this Canberra Sights Guide recommends that you visit the Canberra Railways Museum. It hosts a quaint display of period locomotives, cars and other railway related equipment dating as far back as the 19th century.

Canberra Sights Guide - Monuments

The Australian War Memorial is one of the most visited landmarks of the city. The Memorial is a complex Byzantine-inspired structure that comprises a beautifully designed commemorative area, a museum of war memorabilia and a sculpture garden. Another national attraction is the Old Parliament House, built in 1927 in the so-called ‘stripped Classical’ style. In May 2009, the Old Parliament House will be converted into the Museum of Australian Democracy. The Royal Australian Mint, which is responsible for all of Australia’s coinage, can be visited for free. Tourists can even mint their own souvenir coins.

Canberra Sights Guide - Parks and gardens

For a varied and extensive display of Australian flora, visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Even if you’re not a passionate botanist, the gardens are the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon picnic. In summer, there are evening jazz concerts held in the gardens. The National Zoo and Aquarium shelters a large number of native Australian species, as well as rare species such as tigons and white lions. If you’re curious about Australia’s bushlands and grasslands, take a walk in Canberra Nature Park, consisting of several reserves right in the heart of the city.

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