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The history of Canberra is somewhat unique because it was created in 1913 specifically to be Australia's capital city. Before being established, there was a fierce competition between Melbourne and Sydney to be named the capital of the new nation of Australia which became so difficult it threatened to cause long term problems for the country. Canberra was founded as a compromise location, specially designed and well planned right from the start. Over time it developed into not only an exciting capital city, but also home to some wonderful arts, culture, shopping, and natural attractions.
Canberra is built around a man-made lake called Lake Burley Griffin. The south side of the lake is dominated by government buildings, such as parliament, as well as embassies and other agencies of the national government. The north side is home to what has become the central commercial part of the city as well as the prime shopping areas, too. This part of town commonly goes by the nickname Civic.
One of the things that make Canberra unique is that most of the population comes from other parts of the country. This means there is a wonderful diversity of influence as well as a regular influx of new residents coming to the city for government jobs and experience. You will find no shortage of friendly, fun, and hospitable people who place great value on living a life that is both fulfilling and happy.
If you want to experience Australian arts and culture, there are a large number of opportunities in Canberra. For instance, the National Library and the National Art Gallery are both located in Canberra, as are the very moving Australian War Memorial and the comprehensive National Museum of Australia. All of these institutions are open to the public and can be explored either on your own or as part of a guided or organised tour.
The mountains surrounding Canberra offer many opportunities for fun and exploration all year long. In the summer time you can enjoy the bobsled ride at Corin Forest or spend a day mountain biking on some of the best trails in Australia. In the winter time you can go back to Corin Forest for tobogganing or up to Mount Stromlo Observatory for an evening of clear sky star gazing. There is plenty to do and see in both spring and fall, too, such as the Floriade, the Multicultural Festival, the National Folk Festival, and the Canberra Show.
When planning your holiday in Canberra you should keep the weather in mind. First of all, since it is in the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed from what they are in the Northern Hemisphere. Just as importantly, Canberra's climate is much more varied than that of Australia's coastal cities. It gets quite hot in the summer but also quite cold (often below freezing) in the winter.
Canberra International Airport serves the city with flights from a variety of air carriers such as Qantas, Brindabella Airlines, Virgin Blue, and more. While it is possible to get a direct international flight into Canberra from a number of large cities, most travellers find it easier and more convenient to fly into Melbourne or Sydney and then connect with a domestic flight into Canberra. If you want a different and interesting experience, though, consider taking the NSW Countrylink train service from Sydney to Canberra. The scenery is spectacular and well worth the four hour trip.
Wiki:- Canberra
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