Discover a whole new world… In the City. Canberra

Heritage Sites

Australian Academy of Science Building

You can find the characteristic copper dome of the Australian Academy of Science near the centre of Canberra on Gordon Street. Built in 1959 it was recognised as a milestone in the Australian construction industry. The dome’s innovative structure is designed by one of the most prominent Australian architects of the time, Sir Roy Grounds. Read more

Sydney and Melbourne Buildings

The buildings are good examples of the Inter-War Mediterranean style, displaying key features of the style such as light-coloured smooth walling, medium pitch roofs of Roman pattern tiles, round arches, arcaded loggias and formal entrance treatments.

The Melbourne and Sydney Buildings were the earliest major developments in the City, and are commercial buildings, associated with the early development of Canberra.

The buildings were based on design principles set by prominent architect, J S Sulman and the design work was finalised by J H Kirkpatrick. The buildings have been the model to establish the colonnade principle which is now an important element throughout Civic.

The Melbourne and Sydney Buildings have played and continue to play a role as landmarks in Civic. They provided a focus in establishing the early character and scale of the city’s retail and business area, and they dominated development in Civic from the 1920s until the late 1950s.

The Melbourne and Sydney Buildings’ design and details exhibit particular aesthetic characteristics, which were inherent in the original design and are valued by the community today.

The London Plane trees are rare large specimens of their species in the ACT.

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