In 1908, the government of Australia picked a spot, named it Canberra and declared that it would be the nation's capital. Chicago architect Walter Burley was chosen to design the city, and after a few decades of fits and starts, Canberra came into being.
Today, the city is filled with lakes, gardens and, of course, government buildings. Don't miss the dramatic Parliament House (built partly underground), the lakeside Australian National Gallery, Australian War Memorial and National Botanical Gardens.
During spring (September-October), Canberra hosts Floriade, a spectacular display of more than 1 million blooms.
Canberra is best seen as a fly-in day trip (it is easily reached by air from Sydney and Melbourne) or during a long layover on a Sydney-to-Melbourne connection. For a change of pace, visit a sheep station in the hills beyond town and enjoy an Australian bush barbecue. 155 mi/250 km southwest of Sydney.
