Cockington Green
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek
Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and
landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's best-loved attractions.
The park was created by Doug and Brenda Cockington and has been a
family-run business ever since. The family make sure to keep the
park in perfect condition, adding new attractions whenever
possible. As well as the wonderful miniature displays and
breath-taking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze,
several cafés, a barbecue, picnic and playground areas, and a steam
train ride that circles the grounds. A fairly recent addition,
created with funding from the Sultanate of Oman, is a small-scale
replica of Oman's Jabrin Fort. Other international small-scale
replicas include one of Israel's Masada Northern Palace, and a
large collection of great historical Australian homes.
Address:
Gold Creek Village, 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls
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National Gallery of Australia
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has
the best collection of art in the country. The Australian
collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to
20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and
Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem
Land,
burial poles from the Tiwi people and printed
fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The
Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted
hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land.
The Memorial, a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is
dedicated to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives
defending their country since European settlement.
There's also plenty of foreign art from all eras, and many
important international exhibitions are featured in Canberra on
their way around the world. The collection is not confined to
paintings: sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, furniture,
ceramics, fashion, textiles and silverware are all on display.
Address:
Parkes Place, Parkes
National Gallery of Australia
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Australian War Memorial
Consistently voted Canberra's premier tourist attraction, the
Australian War Memorial is not only a fitting tribute to the men
and women who gave their lives in service of their country, but
also a fascinating, highly-informative museum that seeks to educate
modern Australians about the conflicts that have blighted their
country's past. Housing an in-depth exhibition for every war
Australia has ever been involved in, and boasting passionate,
knowledgeable tour guides, visitors are strongly advised to set
aside at least half a day to do the museum justice. The Australian
War Memorial is a must-see for anyone seeking a sobering,
humanising reminder of how dearly war can cost a nation, and it is
a good introduction to the country's history for foreigners.
Entrance to the Memorial is free, and there are free tours
conducted daily by knowledgeable volunteers.
Address:
Treloar Crescent, Canberra
Australian War Memorial
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On average, Canberra has seven hours of sunshine a day all year
round, which, together with a low rainfall average, makes this a
fine holiday destination year-round. The city enjoys an oceanic
climate, with the chance of rain in any month, but plenty of sun.
Summer weather in Canberra is generally hot and fairly dry with
mild easterly and northwesterly winds prevailing. Nights become
cooler when autumn sets in, and winter is characterised by the
arrival of numerous cold fronts. Temperatures are lower in winter,
but the sun still shines most of the time. In summer, between
December and February, temperatures average between 52°F (11°C) and
82°F (28°C); and in winter, between June and August, temperatures
average between 33°F (1°C) and 55°F (13°C).
The Capital Territory experiences warm summers and cold winters,
often with light snowfalls. It rains throughout the year,
especially in the mountains, and strong winds are common. Canberra
enjoys an oceanic climate, with fairly mild summers and frosty
winters. In summer, peaking between December and February,
temperatures average between 52°F (11°C) and 82°F (28°C); and in
winter, between June and August, temperatures average between 33°F
(1°C) and 55°F (13°C).
Canberra International Airport
Location: The airport is situated five miles (8km) east of
Canberra.
Time: GMT +10 (GMT +11 from last Sunday in August to
last Saturday in March).
Getting to the city:
There is an Airliner shuttle bus service during the week to the
city centre, which departs hourly from outside the main doors of
the central terminal building. Taxis are available at all times to
the city centre. Limousines are also available.
Car Rental:
Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Thrifty, among others, are
represented in the central terminal area.
Facilities:
There is a bar, a restaurant, post office and ATM available in
the terminal. There is a foreign exchange bureau on the ground
floor of the central terminal. Those with special needs are well
catered for.
Parking
Short- and long-term parking is available at the airport close
to the terminal.
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Public transport is limited and Canberra is spread out, with
limited weekend bus services and little transport after about 10pm,
meaning that visitors are best off hiring a car. There is plenty of
parking at the tourist sites and the road system is excellent and
uncongested. To hire a car drivers must be 21 years of age and hold
a valid driver's license, sometimes in conjunction with an
international driver's permit. The Action bus company routes cover
most tourist attractions from four town centre bus interchanges:
City, Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen. A day bus pass is available
from bus drivers or the tourist information centre. Cycling is also
a popular means of transport in Canberra and there is an extensive
network of bicycle paths around the city. Taxi ranks are available
in most major areas of the city and when taxis cannot be found on
the street they can be ordered by phone.
Canberra is a well-organised city with top-class amenities, lots
of leisure opportunities and some brilliant cultural sightseeing
options. Sites like the Australian War Museum, the National Gallery
of Australia and the National Museum of Australia are proud
Australian cultural landmarks and well deserving of the time of
travellers. But these stately attractions aside, Canberra is also a
fun city for families travelling with kids, offering attractions
like the National Zoo and Aquarium, Cockington Green, Questacon and
the Australian Railway Historical Society, where old-fashioned
steam train rides can be enjoyed.
Special tourist discount deals are available, including 3infun
Canberra which provides one ticket to visit three of the city's
most popular attractions: the Australian Institute of Sport,
Cockington Green, and Questacon - The National Science and
Technology Centre. If purchased online this ticket gives something
like a 25 percent discount.
Canberra's city centre is relatively compact and easy to get
around for visitors, with many of the top attractions close
together. Possibly the best way to see the city of Canberra is on a
hot air balloon ride, and those who happen to be visiting in autumn
shouldn't miss out on the grand extravaganza of Canberra's Fiesta,
during which dozens of colourful hot air balloons rise gently into
the early morning air from the lawns in front of Canberra's Old
Parliament House. Canberra has a busy events calendar and tourist
numbers peak during popular events like the Fiesta and the spring
festival of Floriade.
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National Gallery of Australia
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Australian War Memorial
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