The capital city of Australia is famous for its stunning architecture and impeccable planning. One of the most notable features of the city’s design is Canberra’s axis and alignment. In this blog post, we will explore the history, significance, and features of Canberra’s main axis, and how it holds the elements of the national triangle together. If you don’t have time to read through, you may watch the short clip we have prepared below:
The main axis of Canberra is a line that starts on top of Mount Ainslie, where the city’s founders, Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Griffin, laid out the city’s plans. The axis then travels down Mount Ainslie, through the Australian War Memorial, and down Anzac Parade. The axis continues straight up through Old Parliament House to New Parliament House, through the middle of the Prime Minister’s Office, and then on beyond into the mountains in the ACT. We actually begin our top-rated Highlights of Canberra tour on the lookout at Mount Ainslie, which offers the best view of Canberra’s axis and alignment.
The alignment of Canberra is made up of two main axes: the land axis and the water axis. The land axis runs through the city’s center, while the water axis runs through the city’s lake. The intersection of these two axes is at the heart of the city, and it is where the Griffins envisioned the city’s civic center to be.
The main axis of Canberra is a significant feature of the city’s planning and design. It serves as a cornerstone of the city’s skeleton, and it holds the elements of the national triangle together. The national triangle is made up of three important buildings: Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the National Gallery of Australia. The main axis connects all three buildings and provides a clear, defined route for visitors to follow. Canberra’s main axis is also significant because it symbolizes the city’s values and identity. The axis represents the city’s commitment to democracy and equality, as it connects the offices of the Prime Minister with the halls of Parliament House. It also represents the city’s respect for its natural environment, as it runs through the city’s lake and connects the city to the surrounding mountains.
Canberra’s main axis and alignment provide a convenient and easy-to-follow system for navigating the city. It allows visitors and locals alike to explore the city’s key landmarks with ease, as the axis connects many of the city’s most significant attractions. Tourists can take a stroll along the ANZAC Parade, which features a range of war memorials, before heading across the lake to visit the Old and New Parliament Houses.
Canberra Guided Tours, the longest-running tour company in the ACT, provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to explore the city’s axis and alignment. In fact, we begin each and every one of our top-rated Highlights of Canberra tour by showing Canberra’s axis and alignment through the best view point in the city. We also offer a range of expertly guided tours that cover different aspects of the city, including its buildings, wildlife, wine region, and interesting spots both known and hidden.
