Securing Canberra city accommodation at any time of the year is no problem as long as you book early in the busy seasons. Canberra is the capital of Australia. It has 345,000 residents and is Australia’s biggest inland city and the 8th biggest on the continent. Canberra is 280 km from Sydney and 660 km from Melbourne.
Canberra is the Australian seat of government. It is therefore home to Parliament House and the High Court of Australia. It also accommodates many social and cultural institutions like the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, and the National Library of Australia. Many government offices and departments operate from Canberra.
There is certainly no shortage of Canberra attractions. Canberra is home to the Royal Australian Mint. This came into being in 1965 after the country changed to the decimal system. From raised viewing areas, you can watch workers making coins and see the gigantic robots that are used in the process.
The mint has a small theater where visitors can watch an interesting DVD about coin-making. It also has a museum containing fascinating exhibits and displays. These include forged coins, rare gold sovereigns, and a very rare 1930 penny. The mint’s shop offers visitors the chance to mint their own $1 coins.
In Canberra’s many galleries and museums, see Australia’s culture, lifestyle and history. Discover how the country achieved its democracy and learn about its unique character. Displays and exhibitions will show you Australia’s journey from being a remote indigenous land to the prosperous, cosmopolitan nation it has become.
Australia is proud of its many international sports achievements. These are displayed in the Australian Institute of Sport. The country’s political background can be studied at Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy. At the War Memorial you will realize that this relatively young country has been involved in a number of wars.
Outside the city, Canberra boasts incredible beauty which includes a collection of weird and wonderful indigenous plants. Explore the Mallee Shrublands, the Eucalypt Lawn, the Rock Garden, and the Rainforest Gully. There are free guided walks to these sites every day at 11.00am and 2.00pm.
Canberra has numerous attractions for families. Many offer free entry, or the entrance fees are negligible. The ideal way to enjoy family attractions is to buy a ’3 in Fun’ ticket. This will give you free entrance to Cockington Green Gardens, the Institute of Sport, and Questacon, a hands-on science expo where you can see science shows and experiments.
Canberra’s night life is full and vibrant. There are plenty of plush cocktail lounges, pubs, and beer gardens. You can also watch various sports games under floodlights. For after-dark family fun, view the city lights from Red Hill, Black Mountain or Mount Ainslie. If you prefer, catch a movie, go tenpin bowling or ice-skating.