Oooh, Ah, Canberra

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...

zoe_page 14.11.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Canberra (Australia)

A capital city like no other!

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...

Allyalcock 22.02.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Canberra (Australia)

Blaupunkt Canberra C31

Advantages: Excellent radio both at FM & AM
Disadvantages: Tape player (No CD)

......

Pdmtr 10.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Blaupunkt Canberra C31

Artificial Capital

Advantages: Interesting for a day trip
Disadvantages: No atmosphere or character

...A three hour drive from Sydney will find you in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), a territory in Australia surrounded entirely by New South Wales. There is not much in ACT apart from Canberra, Australia's capital city, designed in 1912 by Walter Burley Griffin. Being a very new city all of its buildings and memorials are also very new, but nonetheless impressive. If you drive around the suburbs of Canberra you can see over 60 embassies, ranging from the massive and imposing American and Chinese embassies to those from Thailand and Fiji which were much more imaginative and beautiful. The Thai embassy is built in Thai style with the typical elevated roof design, upswept roof corners and roof tiles in gold colour - very impressive. There is even an Aboriginal embassy opposite the Parliament Building consisting of tents...

mgrigsby 26.06.2002 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Canberra (Australia)

Great Way To Start Any Trip

Advantages: everything really
Disadvantages: none at all

...I have used Canberra Airport (or Brindabella) three times in the last year. Twice for national flights and once to go to Hong Kong. Every time, I was there, I enjoyed the experience. When you first arrive, you see a lovely entrance and a big lake outside. Flights Several big airlines fly in and out of Canberra including Qantas (international), Virgin Blue (over Australia), Ansett and Hazelton (state). The Airport The Airport is almost in the middle of Canberra. It is situated near the river. It is directly beside an RAAF Base and has roads and rail-links all around it. Car parking is $13AUS a day the last time I visited, this hasn?t changed in quite a while so it is probably the same. You can pay more ($17.50AUS) to get premium parking facing the main terminal, I think this is a waste of time unless you really are busy...

marcus.jones 14.11.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Canberra, Australia (CBR)

Bizarre

Advantages: Parlimant Building
Disadvantages: Not enough for a long trip

......

MattSlat 07.09.2000 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Canberra (Australia)

Li-Lo Lil - err no, I mean Leisure! .

Advantages: Real hardwood, lasts for years if looked after.
Disadvantages: Can be expensive to buy.

...). Please note that in the case of bases, there are different weights to suit different parasols. They actually make Garden Furniture, in a range of finishes; Textoline (plastic to you & me), Hardwood, Tubular Steel and Cast Iron. The quality is pretty good, although I may be being picky, but I think a good rub down with sandpaper makes them a little more "user friendly". Also an extra coat of Sadolin or similar makes them last a lot longer. The range of hardwood furniture includes four different lines, all in a sort of red mahogany colour :- Albany - 6 x Albany Multi-Position Chairs 6 x St. Andrews Green Multi-Cushions (very comfy) 1 x Icarus 150cm Round Table 1 x Lazy Susan * 1 x 270cm Green Crank Parasol 1 x 9Kg Cast Base * A lazy susan is a kind of revolving turntable, very posh. Canberra - 6 x Canberra Armchairs...

smudgeybabes 29.04.2007 (02.05.2007) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Li-Lo Hardwood Garden Furniture

Not just good for snow!

Advantages: Beautiful scenery, lots of activities, skiing!
Disadvantages: None

...The Snowy Mountains are part of Kosciuszko National park and are about hal way between Sydney and Melbourne and 2 hours drive from Canberra. At 700 000 hectares it is the largest National park in New South Wales and protects the biggest mountain of Australia, Mt Kosciuszko at 2228m. This mountain is easy to conquer as there is a man-made path all the way up to the top or even if that sounds too energetic for you, just take the cable car up from the valley and then you only have to walk the last couple of hundered metres ascent!! There is a daily entry fee to the park itself (common for National parks in Australia) which currently stands at about $18 per car and is payable every day you will be there. Otherwise you can buy a pass that will give you access to all the national Parks within New South Wales state for about $80 per year...

Allyalcock 30.10.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of The Snowy Mountains (Australia)

Lord Sterling's Empire just got greedier

Advantages: Among the best holiday experiences of a lifetime!
Disadvantages: Price a prohibitive factor for many

...The story I am about to tell is one with which many of the older contributors to this section will aprreciate and identify with. I might well only be 21 years of age, but I am sufficiently astute to recognise that P&O Cruises is not the company it was back in 1988 when I took my first cruise! Lord Sterling of Plaistow...now there's a title that should strike fear into any adversary...well, maybe not! Hardened cruisers of my parent's generation will have fond memories of cruising being days at sea, excellent food, superb company, and exotic destinations. I was fortunate enough to experience this for myself aboard P&O's legendary SS Canberra for five experiences I shall never forget. Canberra really was the last real ocean going cruise liner, and very few can match what she had to offer. Sterling's empire may have grown, with his fleet...

PaulCatterall 05.04.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of P & O

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Advantages: Snow, skiing, accessibility from Canberra
Disadvantages: Price of accommodation, food and drinks

...Perisher Blue is located in the Snowy Mountains and is one of Australia's main skiing resorts. The Snowy Mountains are part of Kosciuszko National park and is about half way between Sydney and Melbourne and 3 hours drive from Canberra. There is a daily entry fee to the park itself (common for National parks in Australia) which currently stands at about $18 per car and is payable every day you will be there. Otherwise you can buy a pass that will give you access to all the national Parks within New South Wales state for about $80 per year so if you like your bushwalking and you are going to be visiting a few parks, this is definitely worth it. These passes are available from the National Parks Centre (02 9253 4600) or from any National Park in new South Wales. If you are going for the snow and the skiing/snowboarding, the season...

Allyalcock 31.10.2005 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Perisher Blue