See Canberra Guide

If you come to Canberra expecting to see shiny mutli-storey buildings dotting the city skyline forget it! Canberra City (Civic as it is known by locals) is overshadowed by only two things in the sky, Telstra Tower atop the wonderful Black Mountain and the Australian Flag above Parliament House.

There’s more to the city then just the skyline. Civic is home to a huge shopping complex called the Canberra Centre where you’ll find almost anything you’d expect to find in any Westfield in Sydney, plus other speciality stores like Hugo Boss. It is a fashion icon for those in the know in Canberra.

Of course life isn’t all about shopping you know. The academics among us would be heading to the Australian National Univesity in the city, it is one of 5 Universities in the ACT. It has an amazing 1 kilometre diameter and sits below Black Mountain and right on Lake Burley Griffin. The walk from the north western end of the ANU along O’Sullivan’s Creek to the lake is a must for those who like to get a feel for a town. There are naturally plenty of books, scholars, buildings and live events being held for students and their mates.

If a step back in time is more your thing, like reading a good book, how about visiting the National Film and Sound Archive for the images and sounds of film, television, radio and recording of Australia’s rich culture. Also only a short walk away is the entertaining National Museum of Australia. It is a great place to take the kids. Best of all it is free!

If you have been following this guide to the letter, then your now only a short distance away from Commonwealth Park and Stage 88 (located in the park) - the home to Floriade. It also is right beside Lake Burley Griffin and hosts the Captain Cook Memorial Jet (a 150m spray jet of water) and the Capital Exhibition Centre (the top of Regatta Point).

From Regatta Point you can walk around the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin in about 60 minutes. It is a flat 5km trip. But if your new in town you’ll probably want to look at all the attractions around the lake at the same time. Might take you days to finish!

Becareful - at lunchtimes a lot of locals will join you for a stroll, jog or bike ride around the lake. Yes bikes and paddle boats can be hired, plus there are boat tours. A bike ride around the whole of Lake Burley Griffin will take the healthy rider over 1 hour. The less serious can complete the West Basin route (Museum, Zoo, Governor-General’s, Yacht Club, Embassies) in the same amount of time.