Canberra: The Compromise City
Posted Monday, July 14, 2008, 5:13 PM by Lonely Planet
When Australia had to take the capital out of the hands of feuding cities Melbourne and Sydney, it was the classic case of two petulant children fighting over something they both wanted.
And as often happens in this situation, neither got the reward.
Instead, Canberra was plucked out of sheep paddock obscurity, and bestowed the title of 'capital'.
To paraphrase some of the criticism about Australia's capital: Life is rarely seen on the symmetrical streets outside lunchtime hours. The tourist destinations have no true tourist appeal. It is a 'cemetery with lights'.
This is all a little harsh on poor Canberra. Once you get used to the lack of people and realise that there is not a revival of the black plague, it's actually quite refreshing to have so much space on your daily travels.
Not forgetting that this previously humble sheep farm is the cashmere knit of Australian artwork and historical artefacts. Its planned combinations of straight and curving streets boast the old and new Parliament Houses, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Australia.
Canberra treads the line between town and city, small yet urban - it lives up to its title of 'the compromise city'.
Love Canberra? Tell us about it. Hate Canberra? You can still tell us about it.
- Eloise Johnstone is an intern from Monash University. She's doing some work experience at Lonely Planet. She loves Canberra.Join the Discussion:
15 Comments:
This is truly an inspiring and Amazing Blog!!!
WE LOVE CANBERRA!!!
love it! no mention of the brilliant student nightlife however.....
While I can't say that I've been to the city itself, I did do a week-long Outward Bound program that was connected with an AFS exchange summer. We stayed at a base right outside Canberra, and for three of the days we ventured out into the bush and up a mountain, hiking something like 30k, complete with packs larger than ourselves. It snowed on us one night, but that just added to the adventure. I will never forget the beauty of that countryside, what it felt like to look up into a seemingly endless amount of stars, and the surprise of waking up to a kangaroo sniffing my feet. Amazing experience.
A recent survey of Aussie cities found Sydney had the best night life, Brisbane the best weather, Melbourne the best culutre and Canberra..the best night's sleep! Says it all really
If Eloise the intern loves it, I love it.
I agree with this young lady. She paints a true picture of our capital city. Everybody there either works for the goverment or works for a private company that works for the goverment.
If this is meant to be our pride and joy, then what a gloomy day it is
I hope monash keeps producing young talent like for the future cause this young lady has got it right.
I've been in Australia for 7 years now and I've never been. Am I really missing out?
i'm not really sure what to say about Canberra, it's a sad city in a sad state, but I kind of feel sorry for it... it's pretty much good for a year 6 school camp and tahts about it
Wow! I am heading off to canberra this instant! If only someone had told me about our capital with such elegant prose and devotion sooner.
Elly and I both know how awesome Canberra is. Come join us on our future adventures to the australian capital. Australian Capital of AWESOME.
What an astute blog, I know where I'm going this Summer.
I am currently travelling through the UK and Europe and although I get to see some amazing sights and have met some great people. I think Canberra my home town is a really great place to live. Days spent paddling on the lake and enjoying picnics in the abundance of nature reserves and parks are something that you don't get to enjoy in alot of large cities. There are plenty of venues that provide for many talented young musicians and multicultural events year round.
canberra would not even rate on the top 20 places to visit in australia, however this eloise girl is just brilliant and makes me want to go
There's only one place in Australia I would want to live - Canberra.
Even once you get over the fact the place has the country's highest IQ, standard of living, income and level of education (no Sydney or Queensland bogans here!!), there is so much more. The city has more tourist icons than any other in the country - once you've seen Sydney's Harbour Bridge and Opera House there's not a whole lot left.
Canberra also has more cafes, restaurants and cinemas per capita than anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere.
Canberra has no pollution and no pathetic try-hards that the other major cities in the country are filled with.
If you want a good meal and a lot of good drinks in a beautiful, nature-filled city full of intelligent and creative people, then Canberra is the only place in Australia to go.
I will make this concession, Canberra cannot offer you the wildest party you have ever been to, There is no incredible bridge or opera house to see, we have no salt water beaches or ski runs.... but all of these things are with 3.5 hours casual drive away. Sydney, the coast and the snow are canberra's playgrounds. The air is cleaner, peak hour traffic is a half hour which isnt really that busy and it takes less than 45 minutes to get from one side to the other. Its cheaper and considerably safer. Dont get me wrong, there is not an Australian city i dont like to be in.... Canberra is just the best.
Post a Comment
« Read more on the blog homepage