Lexi Webster
Australia's capital city is Canberra, which became the capital in 1913. The site for the capital was chosen in 1908, and construction began in 1911. The decision to make Canberra the capital city came after a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the northeastern corner of the territory, about 185 miles (300 km) southwest of Sydney.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of change | 12 March 1913 |
| Previous capital | Melbourne |
| New capital | Canberra |
| Reason for change | Long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital |
| Location of new capital | Australian Capital Territory, about 185 miles (300 km) southwest of Sydney |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Canberra was founded in 1913
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. It was founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation. The area chosen for the capital had been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for up to 21,000 years, by groups including the Ngunnawal and Ngambri. European settlement commenced in the first half of the 19th century.
The district's change from a rural area in New South Wales to the national capital started during debates over federation in the late 19th century. Following a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital, it was decided that the new capital would be built in New South Wales, at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney, with Melbourne serving as the temporary seat of government while the new capital was constructed.
An international design contest was held for the new capital, and in 1911, Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin's plan was chosen. Construction on Canberra began in 1913, and the city was formally named in a ceremony that year. Canberra is an entirely planned city, a rarity among Australian cities. The Griffins' plan featured geometric motifs and was centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, and City Hill.
Canberra's development was a slow process. The parliament moved from Melbourne into the first Parliament House in 1927. Prime Minister Robert Menzies regarded the state of the national capital as an embarrassment in the years following World War II. Over time, his attitude changed, and he championed its development. In 1957, the National Capital Development Commission was established to plan, develop, and construct Canberra.
Alaska Air's Australian Ambitions: Exploring New Routes Down Under
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The capital was a compromise
The capital of Australia is Canberra, which is located within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Canberra was founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation.
The decision to make Canberra the capital was a compromise reached after a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital. The compromise was that the new capital would be built in New South Wales, provided it was at least 100 miles (160 km) from Sydney, with Melbourne serving as the temporary seat of government while the new capital was constructed.
The site for the new capital was chosen in 1908, and construction began in 1911. In 1904, Dalgety was initially chosen by the federal parliament as the site of the nation's capital, but the New South Wales government refused to cede the required territory. Following the dispute, a survey was conducted across several sites in New South Wales, including Bombala, Southern Monaro, Orange, Yass, Albury, Tamworth, Armidale, Tumut, and Dalgety.
An international design contest was launched to select the design for the new capital, and in 1911, the winning entry was announced as that of American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. The Griffins' plan featured geometric motifs and was centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, and City Hill.
Canberra was officially named the capital of Australia in 1913, and the parliament moved from Melbourne into the first Parliament House in 1927.
Immigration's Impact: Australia's Transformation Story
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Melbourne was the temporary seat
The Seat of Government Act 1904 confirmed Dalgety as the site of the nation's capital, but the New South Wales government refused to cede the territory as they did not accept the site. In 1908, Canberra was chosen as the site for the new capital, and construction began in 1911. The capital city was founded and formally named Canberra in 1913, and the Griffins' winning design featured geometric motifs and was centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks.
In 1927, the Australian parliament moved from Melbourne into the first Parliament House in Canberra. Melbourne remained the temporary seat of government for 23 years while the new parliament buildings were constructed. During this time, Canberra was criticised for resembling a village, and its collection of buildings was deemed ugly. Prime Minister Menzies regarded the state of the national capital as an embarrassment, but his attitude later changed, and he championed its development.
Applying for a Mac Pro Card in Australia: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The History of Sound [Blu-Ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/01RmK+J4pJL._AC_UY218_.gif)
Dalgety was the first site chosen
Australia's capital city is Canberra, which is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The capital city was founded and formally named in 1913, following a dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital.
The process of selecting a site for the capital involved several surveys and tours of potential locations in New South Wales. Dalgety was the first site chosen for the nation's capital, as decided by the federal parliament. This decision was confirmed by the Seat of Government Act 1904. However, the New South Wales government refused to cede the required territory as they did not accept the site.
Dalgety was one of several towns and districts in New South Wales that were considered as potential sites for the new capital. Other locations that were discussed included Bombala, southern Monaro, Orange, Yass, Albury, Tamworth, Armidale, and Tumut. The selection of Dalgety was based on a report by Charles Scrivener, a district surveyor with the NSW Department of Lands. Scrivener assessed various sites and recommended Dalgety as the most suitable location for the Federal Capital.
Despite being chosen by the federal parliament and confirmed by the Seat of Government Act 1904, Dalgety's selection as the site for the capital was not accepted by the New South Wales government. They refused to cede the territory required for the establishment of the capital. This led to a continued search for an alternative site that would meet the conditions specified in the Australian Constitution and be acceptable to all parties involved.
The final site chosen for the capital was Canberra, which was formally named during a ceremony in March 1913. The name "Canberra" was announced by Lady Denman, the wife of the Governor-General, during this ceremony. The capital city's design was the result of an international competition won by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Construction of Canberra commenced in 1913, and the parliament moved from the temporary capital, Melbourne, into the first Parliament House in 1927.
Healthcare in Australia: Free or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$0.99 $15.99
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Canberra is an entirely planned city
The capital of Australia changed from Melbourne to Canberra in 1913. The site for the new capital was chosen in 1909, and the delineation of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) followed.
The Griffins' plan featured geometric motifs and was centred on axes aligned with significant topographical landmarks such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill, and City Hill. Canberra's mountainous location makes it the only mainland Australian city where snow-capped mountains can be seen in winter, although snow in the city itself is uncommon. As the seat of the Government of Australia, Canberra is home to many important institutions of the federal government, including Parliament House, Government House, the High Court building, and the headquarters of numerous government agencies.
The centre and inner suburbs of Canberra have largely conformed to the original plans, which included Lake Burley Griffin, an ornamental water axis formed in 1963 by a dam across the Molonglo River. However, residential development has mainly been in satellite towns, including Weston Creek, Belconnen, and Tuggeranong. Planning for this growth was controlled by the National Capital Development Commission and administered by the Department of Territories until 1989, when the National Capital Planning Authority was established.
Is BVO Still Allowed in Australian Food and Drinks?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The capital of Australia changed in 1913 when Canberra was founded and formally named as the national capital.
There was no previous capital of Australia as it was a newly federated nation. However, Melbourne served as the temporary seat of government while Canberra was being built.
After a long dispute over whether Sydney or Melbourne should be the national capital, a compromise was reached that the new capital would be built in New South Wales, at least 100 miles from Sydney.
Canberra was designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, whose plan was selected after an international design contest.
As of June 2024, Canberra's estimated population was 473,855.
