Canberra is the capital of Australia. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory, an area of 2,400 sq km (about the same size as Luxembourg), set aside from the State of New South Wales in around 1913 simply to govern the nation. It did not have its own legislature until 1989. Around 40 per cent of the ACT is occupied by the Namadgi National Park, which provides many excellent venues for orienteering. Canberra is renowned as a ‘bush’ city with tens of city urban and nature parks, most of which are also used for orienteering. Orienteering ACT claims that Canberra has more forest orienteering maps, within its city environs, than any other in the world. The two venues being offered for the Canberra 2-Days are examples of the best Namadgi granite and the best of Canberra city nature parks.
As the national capital, Canberra has many tourist attractions, with its annual Floriade creating its peak tourist season, from mid September to mid October, which means that accommodation is both scarce and expensive during early October, but good bargains can still be secured.
10 Things To Do In Canberra In October 2009
Many of the venues listed below provide free admission and for those that charge fees, the fees are generally relatively low.
- Regatta Point & Floriade. The Regatta Point information centre is an excellent place to start a tour of Canberra. Nearby Floriade, the best flower show in the Southern Hemisphere is on open from 12 September to 11 October. More info
- Namadgi National Park and Tidbinbilla. Namadgi National Park is around 40 per cent of the Australian Capital Territory and the venue for Day 1. Tidbinbilla is home to Canberra’s only remaining space tracking station, including a museum; nearby is an equally exciting nature park where native animals can be viewed in the wild. More info
- Australian War Memorial. One of Australia’s most popular tourist attractions nestled at the foot of Mt Ainslie More info
- National Museum of Australia, Botanic Gardens & Telstra Tower. View Canberra from the top of Telstra Tower on Black Mtn and then be enthralled by the unique stories of Australia’s history. Botanic Gardens , National Museum of Australia
- Parliament House. Undoubtable a unique seat of government partly buried by lawns. More info
- Old Parliament House, Portrait Gallery & Questacon. The beautiful iconic building was the home of Australia’s Parliament for 61 years while nearby is the new Portrait Gallery, the home of the portraits of significant Australians, and Questacon which makes science fun; a great place for all kids, big and small. Old Parliament House, Portrait Gallery, Questacon
- National Gallery of Australia. Experience Australia through the eyes of its artists; home to the famous Blue Poles. More info
- Australian Institute of Sport. Tour the home of Australia’s current and future sporting champions; test your skills at Sportex. More info
- Cockington Green. Magnificent gardens that feature miniature displays from over 20 different countries; ride the tiny Steam Train. More info
- Wineries. The peaceful rural countryside around Canberra is home to around 140 vineyards – with more than 30 having boutique cellar doors, which provide free tastings. More info