The National Arboretum Canberra and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia
The bush fires that ravaged Canberra in 2003 were the catalyst for the creation of the National Arboretum Canberra (NAC), the international arboretum and gardens envisaged by Walter Burley Griffin so many years ago. It provides an opportunity to conserve threatened species, a place for community recreation and a valuable resource for ongoing education and research.
The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia (NBPCA) is the first national, permanent collection of bonsai in Australia. From, early 2013 it will be housed next to the Visitor Centre at the NAC (shown to the left of the image).
Guided tours of the NAC and the NBPCA are scheduled on Friday 17 May and Monday 20 May. Guides from Friends of the National Arboretum will provide interesting stories behind the selection and planting of species chosen for the 100 forests that make up the National Arboretum. These tours have proved immensely popular with locals and the many interstate visitors to Floriade each year. Curator Grant Bowie will show tour groups through the superb new site for the NBPCA and discuss the trees currently on display.
Tours of the NAC and NBPCA will only run if there are sufficient bookings. Where tours are oversubscribed or under subscribed, we will contact people who have booked for those tours to arrange an alternative time.
Tours run for 2 hours each and times are given in the programme and on the Registration Form. Buses for all tours leave from Rydges Lakeside Canberra.
For people taking tours on Friday 17 May, early registration will be available at Rydges Lakeside Canberra 30 minutes before each tour starts.
What else to do while you are in Canberra
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We are particularly pleased to host the 2013 Convention as 2013 is Canberra’s centenary year. Throughout the year there will be many events to celebrate this milestone in the national capital’s history. We hope that you will have time to take in some of these events.
Canberra offers visitors a range of attractions including national institutions such as the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, National Library of Australia, National Portrait Gallery, Museum of Australian Democracy, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon National Science and Technology Centre and, of course, Parliament House.
There are many parks, gardens and nature reserves including the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Commonwealth Park, Tidbinbilla nature reserve, Cockington Green Gardens and the National Arboretum Canberra, which houses the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia. There are also markets and gourmet food and wine venues, a wide range of restaurants and sporting activities at the Australian Institute of Sport and other venues around the city.
The region surrounding Canberra also offers a range of activities.
To help you plan your visit to Canberra, a copy of the Canberra Capital Region visitor guide 2012, which highlights the wide range of activities and venues available, and includes a map of Canberra, is included in the Convention promotional pack. Copies will also be sent to all clubs.
Additional events and other activities in 2013 will start to be promoted later this year.
To find out what additional activities are happening, check www.visitcanberra.com.au.
To find out more about Canberra’s centenary celebrations visit www.canberra100.com.au