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Traveling - Canberra - Australia's Bush Capital
Most international
travelers jet into Sydney, Australia, fly north to Queensland's
Great Barrier Reef or Gold Coast, and then jet off home
again.
In doing so, they short-change themselves.
They miss the amazing diversity of the world's largest
island.
If you fall into that trap - after all
the planning and expense of flying 'down under' - you
will kick yourself when you get home and find out what
you missed.
Do yourself a favor now. Put Canberra
- the 'bush capital' - on your agenda, and multiply
the richness of your visit to Australia.
Oh, it will not compare with experiencing
the dust and the flies and the emptiness of the vast
Red Centre, or the beauty, tranquility and peace of
Tasmania.
But it will give you an insight into
the unique Australian culture that you will not find
in the homogenized trappings of the most popular tourist
destinations.
Canberra is Australia's capital, a city
of 350,000 people that holds the key to the nation's
treasures.
Just three hours from Sydney by car,
bus or train - or a mere half hour flight - Canberra
is one of the world's few planned cities.
It's called the 'bush capital' because
it is surrounded by native bush land, with large tracts
of woodland separating its town centers and suburbs.
Yet hidden beneath its leafy surrounds
is a thriving modern city with stylish restaurants,
hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids, a busy
calendar of festivals ... and easy access to nature.
If you visit in January you can enjoy
Summernats, a four-day 'ultimate car show' that attracts
car buffs from around the nation.
There is a 10-day multicultural festival
in February, and March packs in three 10-day festivals
- folk music, hot air balloons and community celebrations
free to all-comers.
In April-May it's car rally, wine, heritage,
military remembrance, and chamber music, then science,
gospel and various other sporting extravaganzas through
the rest of the year.
October is special, too, for the famed
Floriade, Australia's largest flower festival. More
than a million colorful bulbs and annuals bloom on cue,
creating a vibrant display unrivalled by any other event
of its kind.
Canberra's uniqueness, though, lies
in the way it showcases the entire nation.
From the seat of this young country's
political power to world class museums and art galleries,
sporting institutions, Aboriginal cultural activities,
and easy access to beautiful coastlines, ancient mountains
and historic sites, there is a diversity and quality
of experience that too many tourists miss.
National facilities showcase the treasures
of the nation, often in hands-on experiential formats
that offer an intriguing insight into the Australian
character, leading edge research and democracy.
And you, too, can experience that journey
from indigenous continent to modern multicultural nation.
Just make sure you allow enough time
in your schedule to explore, linger longer, and enjoy
all Australia's bush capital has to offer.
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