American architect walter Burley Griffin won an international competition to design the city and the site was selected in 1908.
In 1911 the Commonwealth government bought land for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
And in 1913 decided to call the capital Canberra

Canberra is a place of government with few industries so it has a unique atmosphere that is found only in dedicated national capitals.

• The lake was named after Canberra's designer, but wasn't created until the Molonglo River was dammed in 1963.
• Parliament House, opened in 1988, This is the most recent aspect of Burley Griffin's vision to become a reality
• Old Parliament House is the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
• National Botanic Gardens
• National Aquaarium & Wildlife Sanctuary
• Australian Institute of Sport - The AIS - Ph:(02) 6214 1444.
• National Museum of Australia