Northbourne Avenue, Canberra

Northbourne Avenue is one of Canberra's most significant thoroughfares, running north鈥搒outh from City Hill in the city center to the Federal Highway. This major road features three lanes of motorized traffic and a dedicated bicycle lane in each direction, making it a crucial artery for both commuters and cyclists. A prominent feature of Northbourne Avenue is its wide median strip, which houses a light railway line framed by rows of trees. Over the years, these trees have evolved, with the most recent planting being Eucalyptus mannifera (brittle gums), which replaced the earlier river peppermint gums.

City Hill marks the southern end of Northbourne Avenue and is an integral part of Walter Burley Griffin's iconic plan for Canberra, forming one of the points of the Parliamentary Triangle. The park surrounding City Hill, known as Vernon Circle, was planted in 1921 and is a green space rich in symbolic plantings. The centerpiece is a flagpole that has flown the ACT flag since the territory gained self-government in 1989. The design of the park emphasizes symmetry, with Roman cypresses and Monterey pines arranged in precise patterns, creating a visually striking landscape. In 2014, the Canberra Centenary Column was added to commemorate the city's 100th anniversary.

Northbourne Avenue is also historically significant, with some of Canberra鈥檚 earliest buildings, the Sydney and Melbourne buildings, flanking its southern end. These heritage-listed structures house a variety of shops, bars, and restaurants, making Northbourne Avenue not only a vital transport route but also a lively cultural and commercial hub in the heart of the city.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Canberra. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Northbourne Avenue
Sight Location: Canberra, Australia (See walking tours in Canberra)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Canberra Civic Center Walking Tour

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

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

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