1. Where is it?
2. European beginnings
The first European settler in the district was Joshua John Moore who established a stock station called 'Canberry'. It's thought the name Canberry is based on an aboriginal name for the area 'Kamberra' or 'Kambery'. The middle of Moore's property is approximately where Canberra's City Centre is currently sited.
3. Symbols
4. Canberra
Interesting Facts About Canberra
Did you know: Many of the suburbs of Canberra are named after former prime ministers.
Did you know: Many of the suburbs of Canberra are named after former prime ministers.
- Canberra has 3 sister cities: Nara, Japan; Beijing, China and Wellington, New Zealand.
- Over 137 people submitted designs for Canberra, but only one was chosen – Walter Burley Griffin, an American architect.
- People who live in Canberra are known as Canberrans.
- Canberra is considered Australia’s biking capital – more people ride bikes to work in Canberra than any other Australian city.
Things to See and Do in Canberra
Mount Ainslie Lookout
Standing at 843 metres, Mount Ainslie provides the perfect vantage point to take in the city’s carefully planned design.
National Carillon
Found on Lake Burley Griffin, this tower was a gift from the British government. It is 50 metres tall and houses 55 bronze bells. Visit at lunchtime on Wednesdays and Sundays to hear the bells ring.
Lake Burley Griffin
Canberra’s famous humanly-constructed lake is a sight to behold. Within the centre of the lake is the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a fountain that reaches heights of 147 metres.
Questacon
Discover the wonders of science at Canberra’s National Science and Technology Centre. With over 200 interactive exhibits, it is an ideal place to spend the day with the family. Students often have school excursions to Questacon and agree it was a 'lot of fun'.
The Black Mountain Nature Reserve
Found to the west of the city, this reserve is a must-see location for nature lovers. Travel along winding nature trails and discover the local wildlife. Visit the Black Mountain Tower if you want spanning views of Canberra.
New Parliament House
Located on Capital Hill, this is the centre of Australia’s politics. Visit the public displays to see important historical documents or check out the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens
Sprawling over 50 hectares, the botanic gardens have many attractions where people can relax. These include the Rainforest Gully, the Red Centre Garden and the Banksia Garden.
The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is a place of remembrance and a museum. It houses the Roll of Honour, a list of service people who died during duty where people can pay their respect.
History of Canberra
The Ngunnawal Peoples have lived on the land where Canberra sits for over 20,000 years.
A station was built on the land in 1823 and soon after, more settlements and farms were established.
In 1901, after Australia’s Federation, there was fierce debate over where the capital city would be located. Sydney and Melbourne were both considered, but no decision could be made.
To resolve this issue, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was created. This territory would house the city of Canberra. The name ‘Canberra’ is said to be an anglicised version of a Ngunnawal word which translates to ‘meeting place’.
On 12th March 1913, Canberra was officially named the capital city of Australia. An international design competition for layout the federal capital was iniated in 1911 attracting 137 entries. The winning entry was that of Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony from Chicago.
The Ngunnawal Peoples have lived on the land where Canberra sits for over 20,000 years.
A station was built on the land in 1823 and soon after, more settlements and farms were established.
In 1901, after Australia’s Federation, there was fierce debate over where the capital city would be located. Sydney and Melbourne were both considered, but no decision could be made.
To resolve this issue, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was created. This territory would house the city of Canberra. The name ‘Canberra’ is said to be an anglicised version of a Ngunnawal word which translates to ‘meeting place’.
On 12th March 1913, Canberra was officially named the capital city of Australia. An international design competition for layout the federal capital was iniated in 1911 attracting 137 entries. The winning entry was that of Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony from Chicago.
5. National parks
Canberra Nature Parks
The reserves of Canberra Nature Park are located on Ngunnawal Country, an ancient and diverse landscape managed by Ngunnawal people for tens of thousands of years. For Ngunnawal people have maintained a cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to these lands and waters. Canberra Nature Parks are made up of 39 nature reserves in and around Canberra. Nature reserves are created to protect and conserve animals and plants that have high conservation value, and their habitat. Reserves are also an important place for scientific research, education, and nature-based recreation. They form valuable wildlife corridors. Canberra Nature Park reserves provide habitat for at least:
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Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve
Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve is one of the ACT's most significant wetland habitats. The reserve is an important sanctuary for local birds as well as bird species migrating from the northern hemisphere and from inland Australia. It is located on the Molonglo River floodplain only 4 km from Canberra's city and close to the suburb of Fyshwick. There are over 170 species of birds visiting the wetlands throughout the year, making this a unique experience in every season. Archaeological work conducted in the Wetland areas discovered ancient sand dunes to the north of Kelly's Swamp. There is archaeological potential- where Aboriginal people may have used material from Tertiary gravels for stone tool manufacture. |
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located on Ngunnawal Country.
Namadgi National Park protects 106,095 hectares of alpine, sub-alpine and mountain bushland and makes up almost half of the ACT. The park protects high altitude sphagnum bogs which provide critical habitat for endangered species, and act as giant sponges slowly releasing pristine water into the ACT's water supply.
Bimberi Wilderness
The Bimberi Wilderness comprises the western third of Namadgi National Park It includes some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps. You can view this rugged area from Hospital Hill Lookout on Boboyan Road, Mount Ginini, Mount Franklin Road or from the Yerrabi Walking Track.
Wild Things
Habitats range from broad, grassy plains in the valleys, Alpine Ash forests on the slopes, to snow gum woodlands and subalpine meadows on the mountain peaks. Within a short distance vegetation and wildlife can change dramatically. Namadgi also has a special type of wetland called a fen which consists mainly of sedges.
Nursery Swamp is the most well-known fen in the park. The park also features unique sub-alpine sphagnum bog ecosystems which can be seen on the Mount Gingera walk.
The Ginini Wetlands has been listed as a Ramsar site, (a site of international significance) as it provides habitat for Latham’s Snipe, an international migratory bird, and the Northern Corroboree Frog.
Mountains of Water
Catchments in Namadgi National Park supply up to 95% of Canberra’s and Queanbeyan’s water. Water that falls on the mountains is filtered and purified as it passes through sphagnum moss bogs, forests, woodlands and grasslands into the dams.
Namadgi National Park is located on Ngunnawal Country.
Namadgi National Park protects 106,095 hectares of alpine, sub-alpine and mountain bushland and makes up almost half of the ACT. The park protects high altitude sphagnum bogs which provide critical habitat for endangered species, and act as giant sponges slowly releasing pristine water into the ACT's water supply.
Bimberi Wilderness
The Bimberi Wilderness comprises the western third of Namadgi National Park It includes some of the most beautiful scenery in the Alps. You can view this rugged area from Hospital Hill Lookout on Boboyan Road, Mount Ginini, Mount Franklin Road or from the Yerrabi Walking Track.
Wild Things
Habitats range from broad, grassy plains in the valleys, Alpine Ash forests on the slopes, to snow gum woodlands and subalpine meadows on the mountain peaks. Within a short distance vegetation and wildlife can change dramatically. Namadgi also has a special type of wetland called a fen which consists mainly of sedges.
Nursery Swamp is the most well-known fen in the park. The park also features unique sub-alpine sphagnum bog ecosystems which can be seen on the Mount Gingera walk.
The Ginini Wetlands has been listed as a Ramsar site, (a site of international significance) as it provides habitat for Latham’s Snipe, an international migratory bird, and the Northern Corroboree Frog.
Mountains of Water
Catchments in Namadgi National Park supply up to 95% of Canberra’s and Queanbeyan’s water. Water that falls on the mountains is filtered and purified as it passes through sphagnum moss bogs, forests, woodlands and grasslands into the dams.
6. Big Things
The Big Acorns
The Big Acorns are actually a playground. ‘The Pod’ playground is located at the National Arboretum in Molonglo Valley. The Big Acorn Pods and Banksia Cones are part of the playground. It is often called Acorn Park and was built in 2013. |
The Big Galahs
The two Galahs were made are at the North Watson Stormwater Pond. They are almost as tall as an adult. They mark the entrance to a modern planned community, and represent the concept of new families nesting in the area. It was built in 2013. |
The Big Kangaroo and Joey
The Big Kangaroo and Joey arrived at the playground in Throsby in 2018 after being displayed for Floriade. It represents the kangaroos that would come and eat the freshly planted flowers. |
The Big Mushroom
The Big Mushroom is located at Belconnen town centre. The Big Mushroom provides shade for the small playground underneath. It was built in 1998 and is six metres high and 15.5 metres wide.' |
The Big Powerful Owl
The Big Owl is located at the main entrance to Belconnen town centre, the 8 m high statue was built in 2011. An Owl was chosen for this art piece as they are local to the area. |
The Big Parcel
The Big Parcel is located in the Civic Center outside the Post Office. It was built out of green and white marble to recreate what a parcel may look like after a long journey. |
The Big Red Cups
The Big Red Cups are located at Deakin, out the front of Beavers Gallery. They are actually pot plants not drinking cups. |
The Big Thorny Devil
The Big Thorny Devil is located at the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. You have to go on a walk to find this Big Thorny Devil in the Botanic Gardens in an area called the Red Centre Garden. |
The Big Swoop
It depicts an Australian magpie pecking at a chip. It was installed in 2022 in Garema Place, Civic. The sculpture weighs half a tonne, is 2.4 metres high and 3.5 metres long |
7. Parliament HouseS
Old Parliament House
After World War I, the Federal Capital Advisory Committee was established to prepare Canberra to be the seat of government, including the construction of a Parliament House.
The committee decided that it would be best to erect a "provisional" building, to serve for a predicted 50 years until a new, "permanent" House could be built. In the end, Old Parliament House was Parliament's home for 61 years.
After World War I, the Federal Capital Advisory Committee was established to prepare Canberra to be the seat of government, including the construction of a Parliament House.
The committee decided that it would be best to erect a "provisional" building, to serve for a predicted 50 years until a new, "permanent" House could be built. In the end, Old Parliament House was Parliament's home for 61 years.
New Parliament House
Parliament House is located on Capital Hill, Canberra. Parliament House was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988.
Parliament House is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere and has more than 4500 rooms. When Parliament meets, 4000 to 5000 people work in the building.
The design is based on 2 huge curved walls, each 460 metres in length, which separate Parliament House into 4 main zones:
Parliament House 'could not be built on top of the hill as this would symbolise government imposed upon the people. The building should nest with the hill, symbolically rise out of the Australian landscape, as true democracy rises from the state of things.'One million cubic metres of earth and rock were removed from the site to make way for the building. The central zone of Parliament House was then built into Capital Hill. It was placed within the 2 curved walls and covered over with grass to recreate the shape of the hill.
Parliament House is located on Capital Hill, Canberra. Parliament House was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 9 May 1988.
Parliament House is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere and has more than 4500 rooms. When Parliament meets, 4000 to 5000 people work in the building.
The design is based on 2 huge curved walls, each 460 metres in length, which separate Parliament House into 4 main zones:
- the House of Representatives and offices on the eastern side
- the Senate and offices on the western side
- a central zone which includes ceremonial and public spaces
- the executive government wing on the southern end of the structure.
Parliament House 'could not be built on top of the hill as this would symbolise government imposed upon the people. The building should nest with the hill, symbolically rise out of the Australian landscape, as true democracy rises from the state of things.'One million cubic metres of earth and rock were removed from the site to make way for the building. The central zone of Parliament House was then built into Capital Hill. It was placed within the 2 curved walls and covered over with grass to recreate the shape of the hill.
8. Aboriginal culture and heritage
The Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples have lived in the country that is now the Canberra region for more than 20,000 years.
To the Ngunnawal people, knowledge of history is not only embedded in archaeological finds, it is also preserved within the landscape through oral traditional stories, dance, memory, ceremony, artistic depictions found in rock art sites. Cultural landscapes refer to the mountains, waterholes, rivers, caves, rock formations, flora, fauna, wind and air, that is the interconnected web of these elements expressed by customary traditions. Ngunnawal people have deep cultural interest in conservation, water and fire management. That knowledge extends to understanding seasonality, taking only what is necessary and harvesting routines associated with flora and fauna including: Daisy Yam, wattle seed, fish (Murray Cod and Yellow Belly), yabbies, platypus, water fowl, terrestrial mammals, and Bogong moths in the summer months. The Birrigai Rock Shelter is one of the oldest known inhabited rock shelters in the world, and shows Aboriginal use of shelters during the last Ice Age dating back over 25,000 years to a time when temperatures were 8-10°C colder than they are now and when snow covered the ground for almost half the year. |
9. Canberra Deep Space communication Complex - Tidbinbilla
CSIRO manage and operate one of NASA's three tracking stations that provide continuous, two-way radio contact with spacecraft exploring our Solar System and beyond. Located at Tidbinbilla, just outside Australia's capital city.
The powerful antennas in the Complex have kept in touch with almost every mission that has gone to the moon or explored further. They keep two-way radio contact with robotic spacecraft, receiving data and
sending commands.
Why is it important?
The Complex has supported important missions and it continues to help significant missions. Just a few include:
Mars missions, such as the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers
Messenger spacecraft orbiting Mercury
New Horizons spacecraft travelling to Pluto and beyond
Voyager 1 and 2
Without the Complex, essential information from space missions may not have been collected and amazing discoveries would have been difficult.
The powerful antennas in the Complex have kept in touch with almost every mission that has gone to the moon or explored further. They keep two-way radio contact with robotic spacecraft, receiving data and
sending commands.
Why is it important?
The Complex has supported important missions and it continues to help significant missions. Just a few include:
Mars missions, such as the Opportunity and Curiosity rovers
Messenger spacecraft orbiting Mercury
New Horizons spacecraft travelling to Pluto and beyond
Voyager 1 and 2
Without the Complex, essential information from space missions may not have been collected and amazing discoveries would have been difficult.
Latest information - 2023
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This image shows four views of asteroid Bennu along with a corresponding global mosaic. The images were taken on Dec. 2, 2018, by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft’s PolyCam camera.
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10. Landmarks
Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint was opened in February 1965. Its purpose was to create new coins for the decimal currency. Today, the Royal Australian Mint continues to produce the coins used in Australia. It is also a tourist destination where visitors can learn about processes in the mint. |
Lake Burley
Griffin Lake Burley Griffin is a man-made lake that was completed in 1963. The Lake dams the Molonglo River between Scrivener Dam and the Dairy Road Bridge. Crops were grown on this land and horse races were held. Today, it is used for a variety of activities, including rowing, sailing and canoeing. |
High Court of
Australia The High Court of Australia has been in Australia since 1903 but the building in Canberra officially opened in 1980 by the Queen. The High Court is where final decisions are made on the law. |
The Museum of
Australian Democracy The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) is a living museum of social and political history. Located in Old Parliament House, MoAD’s exhibitions, guided tours and family activities invite you to consider the past, present and future of our democracy and why it matters. You can see the historic spaces where some of Australia’s key moments happened, from the Senate and House of Representatives chambers to the Prime Minister’s Office. |
Australian National
Botanic Gardens The Australian National Botanic Gardens maintains a scientific collection of native plants from all parts of Australia. The plants are displayed for the enjoyment and education of visitors and are used for research into plant classification and biology.A herbarium of preserved plant specimens is closely associated with the living collection. The Gardens also cultivates plants threatened in the wild. This helps protect them against extinction and provides information which might assist reintroduction to their natural habitat. |
The War
Memorial The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society. View the Virtual War Memorial. |
Activities
Canberra Questions
1. Download and print the worksheet. 2. Go to section 4 on the webpage for your answers. |
Colour Fun
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Have fun colouring the picture. |
Find a Word
If you enjoy find a words, try this one. 1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Highlight the words as you find them. |
Notes to Sentences
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Choose 3 notes and write them in sentences. |
Distances in the ACT
1. Download the worksheet and print to the library printer. 2. Look at the map and choose 3 towns. 3. Using Google search find the distance between each of the 3 towns and Canberra - e.g. Canberra to Belconnen. 4. Record your answers. |
MAKE a TIMELINE
1. Re-read Section 6 Big Things. 2. Make notes in your exercise book of 5 big things and when they were created. 3. Construct a timeline in your book. |