Canberra, meaning
“meeting place” is the capital and power city of Australia, with a population
of 400,000. Designed by architect Walter Burley Griffin with
the idea that it would be the focal point of the country, Canberra is known
for its peaceful surroundings and many attractions. It is home to the main attractions of Australia. Most of them sit on the northern half around Lake Burley
Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle. Sitting at the top is the Parliamentary
House as the center for Australia’s democracy. The symbolic architecture
demonstrates simplicity and openness for their government. Further through the
Triangle is the five story building designed by Walter Bunning in 1968; the National Library of Australia. Displaying more than 7 million books, it is
the nation’s leading research and reference centre. Near the library, Queen
Elizabeth II opened the High Court of Australia in 1980. It contains three
court rooms with six High Court judges and many art components symbolize respect and commitment to the justice system. 
On through to a suburb,
Yarralumla, is the Australian War Museum with monuments and tributes to those
fallen in the war, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Another great
attraction is the National Gallery of Australia. Included in the nearly 100,000
pieces of art are the sculpture gardens, Aboriginal art collections, and other
famous artists’ work. It was opened in 1982 with early European to present day
art to show the cultural diversity of the country.
One tourist favorite is
the 195m Black Mountain Tower. On the slopes are the Australian National
Botanic Gardens which has nearly 90,000 plants and story-telling Aboriginal
trails.
In addition to the gardens
is the National Zoo and Aquarium. Throughout the 22 acre zoo a tourist would
see koalas, wombats, cheetahs, and giraffes. Connected to the zoo is the Aquarium
which houses a variety of Australia’s native fish and coral species.
Among other attractions is
the Australian Institute of Sport where some of Australia’s top Olympic
Medalists train and guide tourists through their interactive sport facilities. Also the National museum of Australia is near and shares a location with the Australian
institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. With a jigsaw puzzle
type architecture the building attracts tourists interested in the many
different artifacts of the Aboriginal people and other pieces of art that
symbolize the culture from past to present.
The southern half of the
Capital Territory is home to the native animals of the Namadgi National Park 22
miles south of Canaberra and covers nearly half of the Capital Territory. It’s
popular for its solidarity and naturalistic views. The Murrumbidgee River is
one of the favorite places to fish, canoe, and picnic. Locals and tourists
enjoy the many activities this city offers along with the amazing sites.
