| The Australian Nationals ... in Canberra |
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| I'm so excited that the Nationals are being held in Canberra in 2006. I'm doing my best here to help with information about the venue, weather, accommodation, places to eat nearby and things to do! If you feel there is something I can add please click here to email me. I'll be happy to add further information. Remember if you are wanting to know something I have missed there could very well be other people out there wondering the same things so please let me know. Click here to visit the AIDA website where you can find lots of information about the championships. |
| National Convention Centre |
| Canberra Weather |
| The National Convention Centre is located at 31 Constitution Avenue, Canberra City. Lisa Dance-Again and I have been investigating the area a little. Firstly, if you are travelling to and from the venue by bus there are bus stops almost at the door. The Convention Centre has its own large undercover carpark which currently costs $7.70 per day, you can also pay for half a day or even a week. There is also a large carpark across the road which costs at the moment $7.50 per day, while it is a public car park, parking there is taken up quite early by a large number of office workers. I think finding a place to park in that particular car park could be tricky. The area is well patrolled by parking inspectors so make sure you park legally. We walked through the Convention Centre. We weren't allowed to look in any of the rooms but the foyer was nice and roomy and it felt nice. We passed through the back doors and walked along the path, within about two minutes we were at the Crowne Plaza, the Waldorf Apartments and the Canberra City Accommodation were only a minute further along. The path was not covered, one would definitely need an umbrella in wet weather. Only another two minutes along was the Canberra Centre which has many major department stores and is great shopping. There were lots of outdoor cafes along the way and there is also a food hall at the Canberra Centre with all the usual food stalls eg, McDonalds etc. Please note! Constitution Avenue is a very busy road at peaktime. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time for traffic. Accommodation There is a large selection of accommodation in Canberra. Some closer to the venue than others. The Official accommodation for the Championships is the Crowne Plaza (listed below). Consec (The organising group) is apparently planning an accommodation package so you may need to be a little patient if you are looking for discounts with your accommodation.. Having said that however, please bear in mind that this is one of Canberra's main tourist attraction times and you may need to be organised early. If you are wanting to stay nearby and will not have access to a car the following accommodation may be suitable. There is certainly more than what I have provided here. This is merely somewhere for you to start. A Short Walk Away! Crowne Plaza (02) 6247 8999 http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/cp/1/en/hd/CBRBS?& 1 Binara Street, Canberra City (just around the corner) 2-5 minute uncovered walk No apartments Maximum per room is 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults Not rated but would be between 4 and 4.5 stars. Waldorf Apartment Hotel Freecall 1800 188 388 or 6229 1234 www.waldorfcanberra.com.au 2 Akuna Street, Canberra City (just around the corner) 5-10 minute uncovered walk Hotel studio rooms as well as 1 and 2 bedroom apartments The BEST bit - children under 12 are free!!! 4.5 star rating Canberra City Accommodation Freecall 1800 300 488 www.canberracityaccommodation.com.au 7 Akuna Street, Canberra City (just around the corner) 5-10 minute uncovered walk No apartments Dormitory, one bed or twin bedroom rooms, ensuite rooms that sleep up to six. Provides a shared, fully equipped kitchen where you can cook meals. Kitchen must be left as found. 4.5 star backpacker rating. A Short Drive Away Of course this list could go on and on and is certainly not comprehensive. When you have a car nothing is that far away in Canberra. The accommodation listed below is between a 5-12 drive minute away from the Convention Centre. Quest Canberra (02) 6243 2222 Melbourne Building, 28 West Row, Canberra City 4.5 star rating Rydges Lakeside (02) 6247 6244 London Circuit, Canberra City 4.5 star rating Pacific International Apartments - Canberra City (02) 6247 0759 2 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra City 4.5 star rating Hyatt Hotel Canberra (02) 6270 1234 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla 5 star Saville Park Suites (02) 6243 2500 84 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon 4.5 star The Chifley on Northbourne (02) 6249 1411 102 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon 4.5 star The Olims Hotel (Managed by Mecure) (02) 6248 5511 Crn Ainslie & Limestone Avenue, Braddon 3.5 star Canberra Rex Hotel (02) 6248 5311 150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon 3.5 star Rydges Capital Hill (02) 6295 3144 Cnr Canberra Avenue & National Circuit, Forrest 4.5 star Pinnicle Apartments (02) 6239 9799 11 Ovens Street, Kingston 4 star The Griffin Apartment Hotel (02) 6234 8000 15 Tench Street, Kingston 4.5 star The York Canberra (02) 6295 2333 31 Giles Street, Kingston 4.5 star Kingston Court Serviced Apartments (02) 6295 2244 4 Tench Street, Kingston 4.5 star Kingston Terrace Serviced Apartments (02) 6239 9499 16 Eyre Street, Kingston 4.5 star Manuka Park Serviced Apartments (02) 6239 0000 Cnr Manuka Circle and Oxley St, Manuka 4 star Argyle Executive Apartments (02) 6275 0800 Cnr Currong & Boolee Streets, Reid 4 star Quality Hotel Diplomat (02) 6295 2277 Cnr Canberra Avenue and Hely Street, Griffith 4.5 star Things to see and do As I mentioned above September/October is one of the businest tourist times for Canberra. There is lots to see and do. I've tried to provide a list of things my children all like to do. Floriade Floriade is a magnificient display of flowers which boasts well over a million spring bulbs and annuals in a glorious display which reflects a new theme each year. 2006 shall be the 20th year Floriade has been held and to show Canberra's support of the Irish Dancing Championships the theme is to be Irish (well it was going to be but I've since been told that it no longer is and now they are going to try and incorporate it in somehow). Floriade is Australia's premier springtime festival and a major tourist attraction for Canberra. Each year it draws more than 300,000 visitors to the city. But its not all just flowers, it has a very relaxing feel usually with live concerts, roaming performances, buskers and of course rides. Kids can run around and let their hair down! Floriade is held in Commonwealth Park which is just a short distance (car or bus) from the City. Opening hours are 9:00am-5:00pm Monday - Friday, 8:00am-6:00pm weekends and public holidays. Entry to Floriade is free but not the rides! A great place for a picnic lunch or morning and afternoon tea if you don't need to be at the dancing. |
| The weather in Canberra during September/October can be extremely variable. We can experience beautiful Spring weather. We still have the odd frost and it is often very windy. You will most likely need both warm and cool clothes. You can be guaranteed that morning and nights will be cold. Even on the warmest day in Canberra you always take a warm jumper when going out at night. Here are minimum and maximum temperatures for some of September/October 2005. 15/9 16/9 17/9 18/9 19/9 20/9 21/9 22/9 23/9 24/9 25/9 26/9 27/9 28/9 29/9 30/9 6.9 2.0 5.2 1.8 0.5 1.2 2.5 3.1 6.6 5.6 11.0 10.8 10.0 8.7 7.7 1.0 16.2 11.5 12.0 15.3 14.6 15.8 18.0 19.6 22.9 21.6 17.0 15.9 18.7 19.5 11.9 16.2 1/10 2/10 3/10 4/10 5/10 6/10 7/10 8/10 9/10 10/11 11/10 12/10 13/10 14/10 15/10 2.9 4.3 9.5 6.5 9.6 14.0 3.0 7.4 4.9 5.3 5.4 3.1 8 10.5 7.7 19.5 23.3 25.8 20.5 22.8 21.1 16.5 15.0 14.2 17.0 21.2 18.9 22 20.5 20 |
| Here is the current Canberra forecast. |
| Temperature Statistics from http://www.australianweathernews.com/index.shtml |
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| Floriade from over the years. |
| Australian National Museum The National Museum of Australia is located on Lawson Crescent on the Acton Peninsula (about a 5 minute drive from the Convention Centre). The opening hours are from 9:00am - 5:00pm daily. Entry into the museum is free! Opened in March 2001, the National Museum is the first in the country devoted to the stories of Australia and Australians, exploring the key issues, events and people that have shaped and influenced our nation. Bringing together the richly diverse stories of Australia's land, nation and people, the National Museum has developed an international reputation for innovative exhibitions. It profiles 50,000 years of indigenous heritage, settlement since 1788 and key events including Federation and the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The collection has everything from a carcass of the extinct Tasmanian Tiger to Australia's largest collection of bark paintings, Phar Lap's heart and the No.1 Holden. For my children their favourite part of the museum (every time we go!!!) is kSpace - Creating a City of the Future, a hands-on interactive exhibit allowing children to contemplate what life will be like in the future and then see it materialise in front of their eyes! Kids at kSpace can design vehicles and buildings in a futuristic Australian world, with their creations coming alive in a sophisticated 3D Virtual Reality theatre complemented by a vibrant soundtrack. www.nma.gov.au |
| Questacon Questacon is Australia's leading interactive science and technology centre and it was built just for kids - big and little. It is a major national tourist attraction. Questacon always makes science fun - whether it's free falling six metres, watching lightning strike or making music out of thin air. Kids of all ages can't help themselves but have a great time. It is open from 9:00am-5:00pm every day. The Centre is located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin on King Edward Terrace, Parkes. If you are travelling by car, there are plenty of free car parking areas next to Questacon's distinctive white building. Questacon is about a 30 minute walk across the lake from the Convention Centre. Sadly Questacon is not free but well worth paying the $14 per adult and $8 per child. You can also buy family tickets (2 adults and 3 children) for $42.00 www.questacon.edu.au Cockington Green Gardens Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green is one of Canberra's landmark attractions, a charming and delightful must-see for visitors of all ages. As well as the stunning miniature displays and breathtaking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, the fully licensed Parson's Nose Garden Cafe, a nursery, a family cafe/kiosk, maze, free barbecue/picnic and playground areas, souvenirs and a steam train ride that circles the grounds. Cockington Green is located at 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls and is open 7 days per week from 9:30am-4:15pm. Entry fees are $13.50 per adult and $7.00 per child. Family ticket (2 adults and 2-3 children) costs $36.50. www.cockington-green.com.au National Zoo and Aquarium The National Zoo and Aquarium is set amidst eight hectaries of lakefront land just ten minutes away from the Convention Centre. It is the only facility in Australia where you can see a combination of freshwater and marine exhibits, reptiles, amphibians, an array of Australian wildlife and an awesome range of exotic animals. Exhibits are beautifully landscaped and amongst the largest of their kind. The National Zoo and Aquarium has the largest collection of big cats in Australia. The Park is open from 9am to 5pm every day, except Christmas day. Entry fees are Children 0-3 Yrs - Gold coin, Children 4-15 Yrs $11.50, Adults $21.50 , Families (2 adults and up to three children ($62.50) www.nationalzoo.com.au Canberra Centre Shopping Mall Only a five minute walk away from the National Convention Centre is Canberra's premier fashion centre, with fashion and accessory stores forming the bulk of the complex. While clothing is definitely the speciality, you will also find major department stores, gifts and house wares, and a few stores exclusive to this mall. There are over 180 speciality stores and restaurants to explore. Customer services such as wheelchair and stroller hire are available. With a bright and up market atmosphere, your trip to the complex is bound to be a memorable one. On the lower level is a huge food court where you can buy McDonalds, sandwiches, pizzas, Chinese food etc. And if you are staying in an apartment and need food supplies, through to the back of the Centre is a large supermarket where you can buy all your grocery supplies. Australian War Memorial This photo of the Australian War Memorial was actually taken from Constitution Avenue so it is not very far from the Convention Centre. It is further than it looks however so I wouldn't suggest walking. The Memorial has undergone a multi-million dollar face-lift in recent years, culminating with the opening of ANZAC Hall. In 2000, 2001 & 2003, the Memorial was named the ACT's and Australia's Best Major Tourist Attraction. The War Memorial is located on Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade) and is open from 10:00am-5:00pm daily. It's a "must-see" during a visit to Canberra. Entry into the War Memorial is free however visitor donations are appreciated. www.awm.gov.au Telstra Tower Black Mountain is probably best known for the Telstra Tower that sits on top of it. The tower rises 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, providing 360 degree views of Canberra and the countryside around it. The tower is more than a landmark and viewing gallery. It has a functional role in providing state- of-the-art telecommunications facilities for Canberra. In the lower level of the Tower's entrance foyer, the exhibition "Making Connections" traces the history of Australian telecommunications from the earliest days into the 21st century. Telstra Tower is open every day from 9:00am-10:00pm and I believe it costs $3.30 per person to enter. Places to Eat Within a 5-10 minute walk from the Convention Centre towards the Canberra Centre is a large number of outdoor cafes and restaurants providing many varieties of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most of the motels also have public restaurants. Transport Canberra’s public bus service, ACTION Buses, covers the major sights and most suburbs. You can ring 13 17 10 for information on bus timetables. Of course Canberra Cab taxi's are also available. Of course there are many other things to see in Canberra. I just don't have the time to list them all. I haven't mentioned the National Gallery or the National Library, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Mint and Old and New Parliament House - just to list a few more. |
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| Wednesday 27 September - Sunday 1 October 2006 |