Even though many think that the biggest Australian city Sydney is the capital, it is not!. Canberra is Australia’s capital, and it is located in the eastern part of the country. The city of Canberra was founded in 1913 by an American landscape architect named Walter Burley Griffin. He designed Canberra as a planned city similar to Washington D.C. in America.
Read and enjoy interesting Facts about Canberra – the Australian Capital
Why Canberra became the capital?
Canberra became the capital of Australia. It was chosen for capital in 1909 as a compromise to end an argument between the two biggest cities in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne – both vying for its title, which both wanted to become capital.
In the end, there was a disagreement about which city should be the capital of Australia. Finally, people agreed on Sydney.:
The district’s change from a rural area in New South Wales to the national capital started during debates over the Federation in the late 19th century. The new capital would be built in New South Wales, so long as it was at least 100 miles from Sydney.
Right now, Sydney is the Australia Business hub, while Canberra is the political centre and home to the Australian parliament.
The origin name of Canberra
The name Canberra was chosen from over 150 suggestions submitted by members of the public to a competition held in March 1913.
The word “Canberra” is popularly claimed to derive from the word Kamara or Canberry, which means “meeting place” in one of the Indigenous Aboriginal languages.
The first white person to set foot in Canberra
In 1820, the first white person to set foot on Canberra land was John Oxley and Captain Mark Currie. They were merely explorers, but they said that the land was very good and recommended for future settlement.
Over 100 years later, Canberra saw some development in 1910 by an engineer and a land surveyor named Walter Burley Griffin. He designed Canberra as a planned city which is now referred to as the Griffins plan.
The Design of Canberra
Canberra is an interesting city because it was designed by an English engineer and land surveyor named Walter Burley Griffin. He designed Canberra as a planned city similar to Washington D.C. in America, which he also designed. Griffin wanted the city to be surrounded by parkland, and the design included many circles and geometric shapes. The streets were originally going to be named after Australian flowers and trees, but this idea was eventually scrapped.
Canberra is Australia’s largest inland city.
Capital hill
Capital Hill was named after the capital city that is now known as Canberra. Capital Hill is a very popular tourist destination, especially in spring and summer when the wildflowers are beautiful, and it’s fun to catch some Frisbee in front of Parliament House – one of the Australian Landmarks for visitors who come from all over the world.
Canberra’s suburbs are named after ex-Prime Ministers.
The suburbs in Canberra are named after former Prime Ministers of Australia. It was decided that naming the streets and suburbs after these prime ministers would honour their contributions to Australia’s government.
The Aboriginal people of Canberra
Before European settlement, the Australian Capital Territory was inhabited by many different aboriginal groups. When Europeans settled in Australia, they began to attack these tribes and wipe them out. However, the area that is now known as Canberra was spared during this war because it was not a heavily populated area. This allowed the local Aboriginal people to survive, although settlers still killed some.
Populations in Canberra
The city has a population of about 400 thousand people. This number has been steadily increasing over the past few years. Canberra offers its citizens a high quality of life due to its low unemployment rates and affordable housing prices.
If you fancy a bite, there are many restaurants available around Woden. To finish off the evening, head down to Kingston for a drink or two. Kingstone is famous for having great pubs.
Skydiving in Canberra
In Canberra, you can skydive above the parliament house. It’s the only place in the world where you can do it.
Canberra the Cultural city
Canberra is home to many museums and art galleries such as the National Museum, the Australian War Memorial and even the World Museum.
Vineries around Canberra Region
The wineries around Canberra has been steadily growing over the past few years. This growth in number can be attributed to the climate, which is very conducive to creating wines.
There are over 30 vineries around Canberra, and most of them are within 50 kilometres of the city.
Secret tunnels in Canberra
The Chisholm Institute, which is a school, has conducted research on the secret tunnels under Parliament House. These tunnels were built as a part of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) project. The ACT project was originally delegated to Walter Burley Griffin for planning, designing and overseeing construction. Closure of the tunnels began in 1915 when it was used for storage purposes.
There are rumours that there are still unrevealed passages around Parliament House, but it has never been confirmed.
Supposedly, there are secret passages on the grounds of Parliament House – some say they have been closed off for years, others think they exist and remain unused. There’s enough speculation to give people a sense that yes, there could still be some passages.
Canberra Nara Candle Festival
write about the annual Canberra Nara Candle Festival is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Canberra. The festival celebrates the sister city relationship between Canberra and Nara, Japan. The festival features performances, food stalls and a huge candle display. The candles are lit in a special ceremony to mark the beginning of the festival.
Things to see in Canberra
The Parliament House is the primary place where the Australian government meets and conducts its business. It’s a beautiful building with a grand interior that’s worth touring
The National Museum of Australia is the largest museum in Canberra and is dedicated to showcasing Australia’s history and culture. It’s a great place to learn about the country and its people
The Australian War Memorial is one of Canberra’s most popular tourist destinations. It commemorates Australia’s military history and contains exhibits that are both informative and moving
Telstra Tower is a telecommunications tower located on Black Mountain that offers stunning views of Canberra. It’s a great place to go with friends or family, and it provides panoramic views of the city
Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre is an interactive museum with many different exhibits. From climbing walls to playing the drums, there are tons of things for kids to do here
The National Portrait Gallery contains portraits of important and influential people in Australia’s history. It’s a great place to learn about the country and its history, and it has some fascinating exhibits
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House – it the first place where Parliament seat when the capital was moved from Melbourn in 1927
The National Arboretum Canberra is a great place to relax and take in the beauty of nature with friends and family. Kids can also have fun on some of the many playgrounds located throughout the park
National Zoo and Aquarium is home to many different species of Australian animals. Kids will love seeing all the different creatures at play
Lake Burley Griffin is a man-made lake that was built to serve as the centrepiece of Canberra. It’s beautiful to visit and take a scenic walk along it
Facts about Canberra – Summary
Canberra is a beautiful city, but it’s not as well known as other Australian cities. I hope that the data we’ve provided about this capital will inspire you to come to visit and explore all of its hidden gems!
Canberra Facts – Pin it for later
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