Canberra - Host City
About the city and how to get there

The National Capital

Canberra is the capital city of Australia and the home of the Federal Government. It is a stately and well-designed city that provides visitors with a seemingly endless range of opportunities and places of interest. Parliament House with its unusual 'under the hill' design dominates the city almost as much as Lake Burly Griffin and the Captain Cook water fountain.

The design of Canberra clearly separates the various natural functions of a community. The government processes occupy most of the Parliamentary Triangle on the south side of the lake, while the CBD - the commerical, shopping and tourism hub dominates the north side.

The National Convention Centre on the north side of the lake and on the fringe of the CBD, is also a short walk from Commonwealth Gardens - the open area and community gathering park near the city.


QANTAS - Official Carrier for the Australian Open

Getting There

International visitors will normally fly into Sydney or Melbourne before clearing Customs and Immigration and taking a short shuttle flight to Canberra. The flight to Canberra from Melbourne (less than an hour) or Sydney (about 30 minutes) in a large jet is very short and comfortable. Canberrans are also used to the the short flight from Sydney in small shuttle turbojet aircraft that take about 50 minutes. Flights are very frequent on the Canberra to Sydney route.

Canberra Airport is a short taxi ride (about $25) from the CBD. If you are staying in one of the many hotels within walking distance of the National Convention Centre - there should be no further travel costs.

From Sydney, you also have the option of driving, catching a bus or catching a train.

The drive is about 3 hours on the Hume Highway from the centre of the city and considerably less from the western suburbs at about 2.5 hours. It is a major route and is well-marked all the way. Arriving in Canberra is nornally along Northbourne Avenue which leads directly to the centre of the city and the hotels.

Bus from Sydney is a good budget option. For about $40 you can leave from the centre of Sydney or be picked up at the Domestic or International Terminals and carried to the centre of the Canberra CBD within 4 hours.

Rail is also an option - trains leave Central Station in Sydney infrequently and take about 5 hours to travel through some spectatular Australian Countryside in comfort before arriving in Kingston, on the southside of the lake. You will still need to take a taxi or bus from Kingston to get to a hotel in the CBD - about a $20 taxi fare.

Weather in August

Canberra is inland and in the moutainous area of Australia. It is over 600 metres above sea level. This means that August in Canberra is truly a winter month. The average maximum temperature is 13 degrees celsius and the average minimum at might gets down to 1 degree above freezing. Snow is possible but rare. The good news is that Canberra knows how to cope with the cold weather - open fires, lots of restaurants and central heating. We rug up in coats to walk out in the open, but dress normally for heated cars and buildings.

Of course, as a dry inland city, when the sun shines in August it will feel like it is in the 20s even if the air temperature is in the teens. You will often see locals walking around with just a shirt on sunny days in August. The diurnal range between night and day temperatures is greater than a coastal city - nights will invariably be cold in August.

The National Convention Centre is centrally heated and will maintain a comfortable 20-21 degrees throughout the championships. A short walk from your hotel to the championships is likely to be brisk and enjoyable - we'll look after your coats when you get there.

Major Attractions

Apart from the Australian Open, as the National Capital, our city houses many national institutions and collections that are worth seeing.

The War Memorial

Within 30 minutes walk or a short bus or taxi ride from the CBD, the War Memorial is one Canberra's most awared and recommended attractions. Not only does it honour the bravery of our men and women who fought in wars, it is also thoroughly diverting museum of wars and things associated with warfare. The Aircraft Hall itself is worth the visit, housing a range of dramatic planes and stories. The galleries provide displays and collections that can take days to enjoy or provide mental stimulation for a short visit.

National Musem of Australia

To the west of the CBD and on a peninsula reacing out into Lake Burly Griffin, the National Museum displays only a small part of the amazing collection of items and atrefacts that define our history and our culture. Special attention is paid to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures - as well as popular cultural items such as the Hills Hoist and the Victa mower. The displays are changed frequently and reflect current themes and interests - so even if you have been to the NMA before, you will be surprised by the new displays each visit. You can walk from the CBD (about 30 minutes) but there are frequent buses from the CBD Interchange or a short taxi ride.

Parliament House

If you are at all interested in the politics and government of Australia, a visit to the Australian Parliament is a must. From its unusual architecture under a hill of grass to the eucalyptus themed marble entry hall or the Great Hall, it is a spectacular building. Parliament is unlikley to be sitting in August when the Australian Open is on - but this also means that tours of the building, including behind the scenes can be booked frequently. It is a brave visitor that walks up the hill to Parliament House - buses or taxis are recommended.

National Gallery

One of Canberra's best known and loved institutions, the Nationa Gallery is one of the world's leading museums of art. As well as blockbuster exhibitions such as the Masterpieces from Paris, the free galleries contain iconic works from around the world as well as our Australian traditions. Monets and Picassos are as easy to see as the McCubbins and Drysdales. Spend a few hours away from the energetic world of competitive squash and be refreshed in mind and spirit by the beauty of art. A bus or taxi ride is recommended for the Naitonal Gallery on the south side of the lake within the Parliamentary Triangle.

Australian Institute of Sport

For the sporting minded, the AIS offers a particular thrill. Guided tours run frequently and you can see where some of our greatest athletes and sports men and women have lived, trained and learned their craft. The facilities available to foster sport in Australia and the way the AIS is administered have set standards that the rest of teh world are now following. In addition, there is a Museum of Sport that is open to the public during normal business hours. The AIS is about a 15 minute taxi ride from the CBD.

Questacon - Museum of Science

For the young or young at heart, Questacon is one of Canberra's favourite attractions. You are encouraged to push buttons, prod and take part in experiences and experiments that give you a hands-on approach to science that you might have missed in the boring science classes. Displays and exhibits are changed continually; although the perennial favourite of experiencing an earthquake always seems to be around. If you are th sort of person who likes to touch and feel things rather than look, Questacon is for you. Again, Questacon is in the Parliamentary Triangle and a bus or short taxi ride is recommended from the CBD.

National Portrait Gallery

For many looking at portraits may seem unappealing - but do not miss the National Portait Gallery. This fabulous collection in a spectacular new building is rivetting from the first gallery. Through people and portraits, a history of Australia unfolds. As well as popular icons such as Kylie, the collection also gives you some insight into our sporting greats - displaying emotions that simple photographs do not capture. In the Parliamentary Triangle between the National Gallery and Questacon, a bus or short taxi ride from the CBD is recommended.

Old Canberra Bus Depot Markets

Undercover and operating each weekend, the Old Canberra Bus Depot Markets in Kingston are just the place to talk with locals and sample the local produce, arts and crafts. The Markets are popular with all Canberrans and you never know what interesting knick knack or new taste you will pick up in a visit. Saturday and Sunday mornings and definitely a bus or taxi ride from the CBD.

Old Parliament House and the Museum of Democracy

Our historical parliament in the centre of the Triangle has been preserved when the political action moved a few hundred metres up the hill. Here you can experience first hand the key moments of Australian history in the very seats of the old House of Representatives or the Senate. There are interactive displays and you'll be surprised at how interesting our political history has been - from the Dismissal to scandals and moments of greatness. A bus or taxi ride from the CBD.

Getting Around Canberra

Canberra has an expansive and well-designed road system that makes all of the city accessible within about 15-25 minutes by car or taxi. Peak hour lasts about 15 minutes - although road improvements and constructions on the way from the Airport to the CBD can cause traffic snarls for the next year or so.

If you are driving in Canberra, you should be aware that 'roundabouts' are the most common traffic feature and on the large ones you do need to know when to get off! Plan the trip the first time and follow the signs or use a GPS device. If you are playing at Woden at any stage, you will go around three major circles or roundabouts from the CBD to Woden.

Parking is controlled by making a lot available but also charging for it. Charges only apply mostly during normal business hours and not on the weekend, but check the signs. Parking inspectors are active in Canberra as are speed cameras.

If you are staying in the CBD, the bus system is easy to access and use. The city interchange is one block east of Northbourne Avenue and well marked - the streets in the area can only be used by buses. There are generally ACTION bus advisors on hand to show you where to catch the bus and how to buy a ticket - or you can check within your hotel first. Express busses from the city to Woden go every few minutes during the weekdays and only a little less frequently at night or the weekends. This area is also where you will find the tourist dedicated buses that can take you on a circuit of the major attractions.

We do not have a rail system in Canberra. Just one station for interstate arrivals and departures in Kingston.

Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced - with government controlled pricing. They have high quality, regulated meters and can take all forms of credit cards for a small charge. Cabs are clean and professional and you should have no hestitation in using a Canberra taxi. They are only in short supply when Parliament is sitting and there is a queue at the Airport. Jump into a taxi at a Taxi Rank or wave one down when they are diplaying a small yellow light on the roof sign.

Best Restaurants

Chairman and the Yip

Sublime fusion food within the CBD. If you like the herbs and spices of Asia in a more traditional structure of courses, this stylish restaurant is for you. One of Canberra's msot awarded restaurants.

Messalira

Italian but at the highest level of cuisine. The risottos are to die for. Fine ingredients and outstanding ambience and service, it is in our opinion Canberra's best italian restaurant and it is in the CBD in West Row.

The Ottoman

Turkish and MIddle Eastern style food done with Australia's best ingredients. The Ottoman moved to much larger premises to cope with the demand from the locals - yet maintained the standard of the exceptional food. The Ottoman is in Barton a short taxi ride from the CBD.

Water's Edge

One of the best locations in the city - on the side of the lake and in the very centre of the picturesque Parliamentary Triangle. Contemporary food done excellently. A small number of tables inside in August, so booking is recommended.

General

Canberra is a multi-cultural city that welcomes visitors from around the world. Do not hesitate to ask for directions from locals - they are usually very friendly and helpful. We tip about 10-15% for good service at major restaurants, but probably not for smaller meals or lunches. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it is common to leave the small change when paying cash. Within hotels, tipping the person who helps you with your bags can be a good idea ($5) but not expected.