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Capital Gains
Australia’s meticulously planned capital is unlike
any other Australian city.
Canberra’s extensive planning means there is little traffic, it is
uncrowded and the city is surrounded by park and natural bushland. Established
in a farming area about 300 kilometres from Sydney and 600 from Melbourne,
Canberra was designed by American architect Walter Burley Griffin after
he submitted competition-winning plans.
Following federation in 1901, fierce rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne
for the status of the country’s capital resulted in Canberra being
chosen instead in 1908.
Canberra has quite a regal air and overall there are an enormous number
of special event venues available for conferences and meetings,
adding to the city’s attractiveness as a destination. Rubbing shoulders
with the nation’s top politicians has enormous appeal for some conference
delegates.
Even the sacred halls of Parliament House can be hired for public use.
The Great Hall is certainly impressive for events and small meetings,
along with the Senate and the House of Representatives Alcove. Formal
Gardens at Parliament House are suitable for light lunches and evening
cocktail receptions.
The National Museum of Australia offers guided and interpretative tours
for delegates. The museum’s Peninsula Room has superb views across
Lake Burley Griffin through floor-to-ceiling windows. The Museum Hall
is expansive with skylights allowing in natural light. There are two theatres
– the Garden of Australian Dreams and a large outdoor amphitheatre
that can accommodate up to 1,600 people.
The National Gallery of Australia, with its many stunning collections
of art and sculpture, can also be utilised for meetings or special events,
along with the National Library, Old Parliament House, the Australian
War Memorial and Questacon – the National Science and Technology
Centre.
>> meeting
and converence venues Canberra
Large-scale events are ideally staged at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC),
set on 88 hectares with more than 9,000 square metres available for indoor
exhi-bitions. Up to 3,000 delegates can meet comfortably, with 40 hectares
of outdoor activity and 14 meetings rooms. The largest building holds
3,200 people theatre style or 1,860 for a banquet.
The huge park has seven public entrances and parking for up to 3,500 cars.
A grandstand and tiered seating accommodates 3,500 people. Menus include
fresh local produce and themed banquets are a specialty. Situated in Mitchell,
North Canberra, the park is just eight minutes north of the CBD and 12
from Canberra Airport.
Close to the Canberra Airport, the Comfort Inn Airport can accommodate
up to 120 people in 65 rooms, including some with spas. The inn has four
meetings rooms, the largest holding 300 delegates theatre style. There
are two tennis courts, an indoor heated swimming pool, gym and sauna.
>> click to find a converence venue & rooms in Canberra
