DESTINATION INFORMATION

National Convention Centre, Canberra

The National Convention Centre is located in Canberra's CBD and is part of what is described as a unique and beautiful city. Chosen nearly a century ago as the ideal location for Australia's national capital the conventions central location offers vibrant, innovative and historical attractions such as the National Gallery and the National Museum.

Canberra

The nation’s capital, Canberra, is a place to discover the true story of Australia. Founded in 1913 and home to nearly 400,000 locals, Canberra and the surrounding Australian Capital Territory are located in the southern part of New South Wales, south of Sydney and north of Melbourne. The city was built as a modern statement of political strength and contemporary design.

Purpose-built, Canberra houses some of Australia’s treasures in a compact, modern and stylish package. The National Gallery with its stunning collection of fine arts and an ever changing program of special world-class exhibits is a magnetic drawcard to the art lover. Museums, galleries and unique venues across town bring Canberra alive with vibrant expressions of the Australian identity in culture, history, Indigenous heritage, politics, art, sport, flora and fauna and national celebrations.

But not all Canberra’s best features are indoors. It’s an easy city to get around and with well defined city walking trails and an elaborate network of bike paths which weave their way around the metropolis.

Further out of town the magnificent Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Namadgi National Park beg for you to don the lycra and hit the world-class mountain bike trails. Or simply take in the rugged beauty of the Australian bush setting.

Culture vultures are well catered for in Canberra and so are lovers of fine food and wine. There’s a generous collection of restaurants in town and around the beautifully laid out suburbs, which will tempt all palates. The bars, shops and cafes serve up an eclectic mix of local food and wine from around the region and beyond.

If skiing is on your agenda, Canberra is the place for you. The sensational ski fields of the Great Dividing Range are within an easy reach of the city.

Inside and out, Canberra has great appeal.

Australia

When he first came to Australia from a gloomy English winter, writer and comedian Stephen Fry commented: “It was like someone just turned on the colour”

He was right of course; Australia is one of the most colourful countries in the world in so many ways. From the sub-tropical north, to the temperate south, the entire country is bathed in a warm sunshine that brings out its natural blues, reds and greens. It’s like holidaying in the brushstrokes of an impressionist’s painting.

Australia is a big country, similar in size to mainland USA and much bigger than all the countries of Western Europe. And it’s big on attractions too.

A trip to Australia isn’t complete without experiencing its iconic and beautiful sites. There’s good reason why Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the natural wonders of the modern world – it’s just so beautiful. The northern tropical warmth brings out the surfer, diver, swimmer and yachtie to the blue, blue water – every day of the year.

In Sydney, the impossibly stunning harbour has visitors constantly mesmerised. The city on its shores pulsates, as every international city should, but the atmosphere is relaxed and the sights are breathtaking. If you can’t find fun in Sydney, you won’t find it anywhere.

The largest blanket of bright red dust imaginable, which covers most of the continent’s centre is weighed down and held in place by the magnificent Ayers Rock – an ancient and sacred aboriginal site smack in the centre of the country known as Uluru. The centrepiece of Australia’s Outback, the Rock, steeped in a unique spirit of the nation’s aboriginal cultural heritage is a must-see inclusion on anyone’s bucket list.

A little further south, in the hills of South Australia’s temperate climes, wine is the only word. The famed and incredibly beautiful Barossa and Clare Valleys, Coonawarra, and McLaren Vale wine districts are a magnet to the sophisticated palate of any wine-lover. And Adelaide, with its more provincial architecture and style cuts a nice cloth on the nation’s food and wine table too.

The contrast between Western Australia’s capital – Perth, with its modern architecture and love affair with beaches and outdoors lifestyle, and the charm of our Apple Isle – Tasmania, is as strong as you could imagine. Tasmania is a microcosmic version of the rest of the country and a postcard sized snapshot of the prettiest parts of Europe. Mountains, lakes, valleys, more wine districts and beautiful cities fill the island and welcome tourists with open arms.

And then there’s Melbourne of course. Classy, sophisticated, Australia’s second largest city is the country’s centre for sports, culture, theatre, food and wine, and fashion. Melbourne is the nation’s capital of so many different pursuits, knowing where to start exploring is your greatest challenge.

Let yourself be surprised by Australia – it’s a land of contrasts and paradoxes. It’s beautiful yet rugged, sophisticated yet relaxed, stylish yet unpretentious, diverse yet united.

And Australians? – They’re the most welcoming people in the world. They love their life, they love their country, and they love sharing it.