Located in the city centre, Canberra City YHA is the perfect base to explore Australia's modern capital for a few days, or on a stopover between Sydney and Melbourne.
Western Australia's first AAA 4.5 start rated hostel!YHA WA has converted the St John ... more
Ambulance building at 300 Wellington Street, Perth into a modern 240 bed hostel providing low cost, superior quality accommodation in the heart of the city.
Advantages: 'Interesting', note the inverted commas Disadvantages: Long way from anywhere civilised
I like to go all out when I travel, and since I've made it all the way to Australia (and, incredibly, managed to get someone else to pay for it all under the pretence that it's a business trip) I'm keen to take advantage of my temporary location and see it all, or as much as my time frame will allow. This weekend, therefore, I decided to pop off to Canberra, Australia's capital, to see what all the fuss was about. I've visited many capital cities, from Vienna and Rome to London and Washington DC. Hands down, Canberra is the least capital-like Capital city I have ever seen.
Canberra is in its own little world, the Australian Capital Territory, much like Washington's home in the District of Columbia. Rumour has it that when they realised they could do with a capital, the good people of Australia were torn between the two obvious choices ...
Advantages: No "congestedness" of a capital city, relaxed, parks and bushland Disadvantages: One of only two Australian cities withought a beach!
In 1902 in Australia, it was decided that a national capital would be built and a stretch of land between the two arch rivals for the title, Melbourne and Sydney, was decided on. Canberra today is located about 200 miles from Sydney (about 3.5 hours drive) and 400 miles from Melbourne (about 7 hours drive). After an international competition to design the city, Walter Burley Griffin's design came out on top and Canberra started being built in 1913, making it less than 100 years old! The name of Canberra was decided upon as it is an aboriginal word meaning 'meeting place.' It has been referred to as the 'bush capital' and 'a bunch of suburbs in search for a city' because of its mass of bushland, parks and grassy areas and even masses of kangaroos hopping around!
It is certainly not your 'usual' capital city, think skyscrapers ...
Advantages: Great variety, beautiful plants and wildlife Disadvantages: Cold in winter!
At first I only went to the Botanical Gardens in Canberra cos I had nothing else to do on the weekend and I was skint (entry is free!!) It was awesome though, beautiful scenery, great variey of plants and animals and really close to the city centre, even though it feels like miles away. The gardens lie at the bottom of Black Mountain so while you are here it is worth a trip to the top of the mountain and Telstra Tower for a birds eye view over the city. Beware though you can't just go anytime as the gardens are only open 9-5pm (or 8pm in summer).
Check out the Visitor Centre at the entrance of the Gardens next to the carpark (open 9.30 - 4.30) where you can pick up leaflets or books so you actually know what you are looking at and where you are going! Or just join one of the guided tours which are run every weekday at 11am ...
Product Information for "Canberra City YHA, Canberra" »
Product details
Long Name
Canberra City YHA
Type
Hotel
Street
7 Akuna Street
Address
7 Akuna Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia
City
Canberra
Country
Australia
County
Australian Capital Territory
Post Code
2601
Continent
Australasia
Manufacturer's product description
Located in the city centre, Canberra City YHA is the perfect base to explore Australia's modern capital for a few days, or on a stopover between Sydney and Melbourne.
