Australia’s capital city, Canberra, had a difficult birth, punctuated by political infighting, wars and the Great Depression, but it is now a thriving modern city which, together with its surrounds, makes up Australia’s Capital Territory.

Like most capitals of the world, Canberra boasts an architectural heritage in its civic and Government buildings, but Canberra is also blessed with some of the loveliest surroundings of any national capital. There are more than 30 Australian artistic and cultural institutions located in Canberra, ranging from the Australian War Memorial to Parliament House, surmounted by a colossal stainless-steel flagpole and set in 23 hectares of gardens. In the centre of Lake Burley Griffin, the impressive Captain Cook Memorial Jet shoots a six-ton column of water 482ft (147m) into the air, while on the shore the National Gallery of Australia houses the country’s premier public art collection spanning about 5,000 years of international art.

Canberra is also known for its spring festival, Floriade, when the parks and gardens surrounding Lake Burley Griffin explode with colourful displays of massed tulips and other blooms. The city, with its many parklands, is especially beautiful in spring and autumn.

Floriade

Floriade is Canberra’s annual spring splash of colour – a flower festival with more than 1.47 million flowers that bloom on cue for four weeks in September and October.

To compliment the flowers, the event also includes a full entertainment program with visiting and local performers, kids activities, workshops, exhibitions and the Craftsman’s Corner featuring Australian made gifts, crafts and produce.

It all began in 1986 as a vision for the 1988 bicentenary and Canberra’s 75th birthday when two members of the ACT Parks and Conservation Service envisaged a huge floral display for the celebration. Their inspiration was the annual Dutch Keukenhof flower display and Holland’s Floriade which happens every 10 years. Floriade is now the largest event of its kind in the southern hemisphere.