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The Australian Academy of Science’s Dome has been a Canberra landmark since its construction in 1959. It is located on Gordon Street, Canberra. It is the first building in Canberra to be included on the National Heritage List. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, in his statement of 21 September 2005, said the building combined a unique design with structural ingenuity and was an excellent example of twentieth century architecture
. In addition to the National Heritage Listing, the Shine Dome has received numerous awards, and is one of seven projects the Royal Australian Institute of Architects has nominated to the World Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.
The Dome came about because the Australian Academy of Science needed a home. Once the Academy had found a suitable site, the next step was to select an architect. Six architects were invited to submit plans, and on 1 December 1956 the Academy’s Building Design Committee met in Adelaide to look at them. Roy Grounds was the sole architect on the Academy’s building. It was his design that won the commission and the rest of the firm (Grounds, Romberg and Boyd) was brought in during the documentation process.
The Shine Dome
Gordon Street
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Canberra is less than an hour flying time from both of Australia’s two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, and is located in the middle of the best-established transport corridor in the country. The airport, just a ten minute drive from the city, can service more than 20,000 passengers a day. Sydney and Melbourne provide connecting international flights. Highway improvements have made road travel quick and stress-free from Sydney. Rail and coach services to Canberra are well established and have flexible schedules. Canberra is a planned city with no traffic congestion due to the incredibly efficient road system. Canberra is ideally positioned for great pre- and post-touring options. Just 30 minutes flying time from Sydney — Australia’s gateway city — or two hours drive from Australia’s best ski fields, pristine trout streams, beautiful beaches and ancient rainforests. No other location offers such diverse opportunities for pre- and post-touring.
The city’s national museums and attractions hold and share the treasures of our nation. Celebrate Australia’s proud sporting achievements, delve into our unique political history, and reflect on our young nation’s experience on the international stage. See Australia and its people through the eyes of our artists, and experience Australian character through sound and film, books and exhibitions. Home to some 320,000 people, Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities, a city in a park, with golden autumn leaves and glorious spring blooms. Surrounded by native bushland, Canberra is perfect for getting back to nature. But hidden beneath the leafy surrounds is a thriving modern city with stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids and a busy calendar of events and festivals.
For more information, www.canberratourism.com.au.
Before you leave Canberra, ensure you visit the boutique cool climate wineries of Murrumbateman, Bungendore and Lake George. Canberra’s wineries retain the charm of a past era, and many wines have received awards from Australia’s most respected wine judges. You can also enjoy a farmstay at a historic high country cattle and sheep station, or relax at one of the quaint bed and breakfast establishments dotted throughout the ACT region. Consider visiting the “Man from Snowy River country” immortalised by Banjo Paterson, and if you’re feeling energetic, climb Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciusko. There’s something to do all year round in this region, and depending on the season you can walk, ski, fish or just find a secluded spot and relax with a picnic and book. The New South Wales South Coast is renowned for glorious sandy beaches, rolling surf, dolphins and whale watching. Houseboats are available on the tidal Clyde River, which winds through untouched rainforest, and a few days of sanctuary rocked to sleep by gently lapping water would no doubt sound like bliss to all delegates.
Base yourself in Canberra to explore the nearby high country. A two-hour scenic drive from Canberra takes you to the Snowy Mountains, where you can find beautiful alpine flowers, top ski resorts, wild brumbies, fishing, trekking, horseriding and much more. Travel to the top of Mount Kosciuszko National Park for spectacular views, or take a bushwalk and see the famous Snowy Mountains brumbies (wild horses). At the Yarrangobilly Caves, you can view stunning frozen waterfalls, limestone caves and underground pools. Lake Jindabyne, Lake Eucumbene and Blowering Reserve attract thousands of anglers each year, while Perisher Blue, Thredbo and Selwyn Snowfields offer lots of fun in the snow, from skiing and snowboarding to snow shoeing and tubing.
For more information, www.snowymountains.com.au.
Canberra is the perfect base for exploring the unspoilt coastlines of the South Coast. Just two hours’ drive away, try whale watching or kayaking, learn to surf or laze away a day on a beautiful beach. Take a dolphin watch cruise or a kayak excursion and see the pristine beauty of Jervis Bay, or charter a fishing boat or go whale watching on the beautiful Sapphire Coast. Not far away, Kangaroo Valley offers 80 kilometres of river perfect for all types of canoeing, and is also great for a guided bushwalks or bicycle tours. At the Old Mogo Town Pioneer Village, you can experience the 1850s Gold Rush and learn about Australia’s “bloodiest” bushrangers, the Clarke Gang.
For more information, southcoast.visitnsw.com.au.
For flight, coach or train schedules or for more information on the Canberra International Airport follow these links.
Australia is a land full of powerful experiences just waiting to be discovered. Encounters with our incredible wildlife on land and in the water will truly open your eyes wide in astonishment. And as well as adventures for adrenaline seekers there is plenty that anyone can enjoy.
For more information, www.australia.com.
