Garema Place, Canberra
Garema Place is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly outdoor area in Civic, known for its bustling atmosphere, numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes offering outdoor dining. As a central hub within the city's CBD, it serves as a popular location for community events, including protests, festivals, and public gatherings. The area's significance as a social and cultural gathering place is reflected in its role as the venue for major events such as Canberra's Multicultural Festival in February and the Celebrate Canberra Festival in March.
The history of Garema Place is deeply rooted in Canberra's early development. Originally gazetted as a city street in October 1952, the site was once home to the Civic Centre railway station, which opened in 1921 as Canberra's second goods rail terminal. However, the station was short-lived, closing in 1922 after a flood washed away the rail bridge over the Molonglo River. The rail corridor that once ran through what is now City Walk was preserved until the 1950s when plans for a central city railway were abandoned, and the area began its transformation into a pedestrian plaza by the mid-1960s.
Today, Garema Place is not only a commercial and social hub but also a site of artistic expression, featuring various sculptures and artworks by local artists. Among these, "The Cushion and the Wedge," a silver statue resembling a pillow, is a notable piece often referred to as the 'Goon Bag' due to its likeness to a popular Australian icon. Another significant addition is the "Big Swoop," a sculpture commemorating the Australian magpie, a bird known for its melodious calls and notorious swooping behavior during the breeding season. Installed in March 2022, the statue faced vandalism but was rebuilt and returned to its original spot by December 2022, now more resilient and ready to withstand the elements and the test of time.
The history of Garema Place is deeply rooted in Canberra's early development. Originally gazetted as a city street in October 1952, the site was once home to the Civic Centre railway station, which opened in 1921 as Canberra's second goods rail terminal. However, the station was short-lived, closing in 1922 after a flood washed away the rail bridge over the Molonglo River. The rail corridor that once ran through what is now City Walk was preserved until the 1950s when plans for a central city railway were abandoned, and the area began its transformation into a pedestrian plaza by the mid-1960s.
Today, Garema Place is not only a commercial and social hub but also a site of artistic expression, featuring various sculptures and artworks by local artists. Among these, "The Cushion and the Wedge," a silver statue resembling a pillow, is a notable piece often referred to as the 'Goon Bag' due to its likeness to a popular Australian icon. Another significant addition is the "Big Swoop," a sculpture commemorating the Australian magpie, a bird known for its melodious calls and notorious swooping behavior during the breeding season. Installed in March 2022, the statue faced vandalism but was rebuilt and returned to its original spot by December 2022, now more resilient and ready to withstand the elements and the test of time.
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Garema Place on Map
Sight Name: Garema Place
Sight Location: Canberra, Australia (See walking tours in Canberra)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Canberra, Australia (See walking tours in Canberra)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Canberra, Australia
Create Your Own Walk in Canberra
Creating your own self-guided walk in Canberra is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Canberra Downtown Walking Tour
Australia鈥檚 capital, Canberra, is jokingly nicknamed the "Bush Capital鈥� for the abundance of forested and natural reserve lands around. What's now the Australian Capital Territory previously has been inhabited by Aboriginal people for more than 20,000 years.
The name "Canberra" originates from the Aboriginal Australian language and means a "meeting place".... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
The name "Canberra" originates from the Aboriginal Australian language and means a "meeting place".... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Canberra Civic Center Walking Tour
Civic Centre, often simply called Civic, lies at the heart of Canberra, Australia's purpose-built capital. This central district is not only a hub for shopping and dining but also a significant cultural and historical site. At its core, lie an array of landmarks that tell the story of the city's past and vibrant present.
Starting with the Australian War Memorial, located at the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Starting with the Australian War Memorial, located at the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles