From its Indigenous beginnings and thoughtful (and debate-provoking!) design to its metamorphosis into a cosmopolitan city filled to the brim with cultural, artistic, historical and scenic wonders, it's no wonder Canberra has been praised as one of the world’s most livable cities. So let’s peek at the history of Canberra, including that of a few of the suburbs that have led its past-to-present transformation. And guess what? Each suburb is just a short drive or ride from ANU.
Overview
- What we know of as Canberra today was first inhabited by First Nations Australians and considered an important meeting place.
- In 1913, the federal government began surveying the site of the city we know today.
- Early suburbs that served industrial purposes to help build the new city have become trendy, inner-city areas.
Canberra, a meeting place for past and present
The word “Canberra” is derived from the name of the local Indigenous Australian people – the Ngunnawal people – who were called the “Canberry” or “Nganbra” tribe by British colonists. It is thought to come from the word for “meeting place”. The first European land owner in the region, Joshua John Moore, named the land grant he received in 1823 after these people.
Other colonists soon followed Moore’s example to take up land in the region. But the district’s change from a rural area in New South Wales to the site of Australia's national capital started during debates over federation in the late 1800s. Finally, in 1911, the NSW Government gave up power of the district to the federal government and the Federal Capital Territory was established. And on 20 February 1913, the Minister for Home Affairs, King O'Malley, hammered the first peg on Kurrajong Hill (later Capital Hill) to mark the beginning of the survey for the new city of Canberra.
That same year, an international design competition for the city was launched, with the design by Chicagoans Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin declared the winner in 1912. Their “planned city” featured a city of hexagonal streets and boulevards joined by bush corridors. Sprinkled throughout were monumental buildings anchored by land and water axes, with an artificial lake at its heart.
In 1913, the Departmental Board maintained it could not recommend adopting their plans and, instead, put forward its own plan incorporating features from the top four winners of the design competition. During this year, the wife of Governor-General Lord Denman, Lady Denman, announced that the city would be named “Canberra”.
However, both World Wars and the Great Depression delayed the city’s construction. Although, notable landmarks that did appear during this time include what is now known as Old Parliament House (in 1927), the Sydney and Melbourne buildings (between 1926 and 1946), the Australian War Memorial (in 1941) and our very own, The Australian National University in 1946.
In the late 1950s, and with the intervention of Prime Minister Robert Menzies, an active interest in developing a planned federal capital re-emerged. In 1964, the construction of the centrepiece of the Griffins’ design, Lake Burley Griffin, was completed, which provided the groundwork for the development of the couple's Parliamentary Triangle.
The National Gallery of Australia was established in 1967, and the National Library of Australia in 1968. Fast forward to 1988 and Canberra’s current Parliament House was opened on Capital Hill, and in 2001, the National Museum of Australia was officially opened. Every one of them amazing “meeting places” as far as we’re concerned!
The Ground Map is a stunning visual depiction of significant Indigenous sites from the local area.
Kingston, from industrial pursuits to lakeside leisure
Kingston was named after the former Premier of South Australia and minister in the first Commonwealth government, Charles Cameron Kingston. The surburb, in particular the Kingston Foreshore precinct, has an early history that dates back to the Griffin Plan, designed in 1911 by … you guessed it … Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahoney Griffin.
The foreshore was Canberra’s former industrial sector with various uses, including as the original power station, a government printing office and the bus and transport depot. Another national design competition for the site, this time held in 1997, and an award-winning Master Plan embraced the area's heritage by creating a cultural precinct (now known as the Kingston Arts Precinct).
Further landscaping of the lakeside promenade was completed in 2013, and the Kingston Foreshore is now one of the city’s pre-eminent arts, recreational and residential precincts. With cosy cafes, boutique shops, bustling markets and must-visit restaurants, it’s got the lot!
Kingston’s historical heroes: Central to the precinct are the two heritage-listed buildings — the Powerhouse (now the Canberra Glassworks) and the former Bus and Transport Depot (now the Old Bus Depot Markets).
The Old Bus Depot Markets are on every Sunday.
Braddon, from auto operations to artistic endeavours
Named after Sir Edward Braddon, a legislator and key player in the writing of the Australian Constitution, the suburb of Braddon is also one of the oldest in Canberra. Construction of what was then known as the Braddon Garden City heritage precinct began in 1921. It is the only completed example of a design for a residential area in Canberra by our friends, the Griffins.
Formerly a light-industrial area, it was the centre of automotive traders. In recent years. Braddon has evolved from sharing light industrial with suburban housing to become a medium-density residential and dining precinct. Braddon is your go-to if good coffee, tasty food and boutique shopping are your favourite weekend activities.
Braddon’s historical hero: Heritage-listed Gorman House began its life as a hostel for public servants. It’s now a community art hub, hosting a gallery, writer’s centre, dance studios, theatre groups, musicians and visual artists.
Vibrant nightlife on Lonsdale St Braddon. Visit for food, entertainment and shopping.
Reid, from rural digs to modern-day memories
Third on our list of history-enhancing (and heritage-listed) suburbs is Reid. Named after George Reid, the fourth prime minister of Australia, the suburb was mostly constructed between 1926 and 1927 to provide housing for public servants in preparation for the opening of the provisional Parliament House in 1927. The Uniting Church (now the Canberra Korean Church) on Coranderrk Street was built in 1927 and is also heritage-listed.
Edged by Glebe Park on the city side and Anzac Parade on the Campbell side, Reid is perfect for a leisurely walk. Once you arrive at Anzac Parade, you'll find that this memorial boulevard runs along Canberra’s primary land design axis from Lake Burley Griffin to the Australian War Memorial. Within walking distance of Reid is beautiful Mt Ainslie, from where you can soak up spectacular panoramic views of the nation’s capital.
Reid’s historical heroes: St John the Baptist church is the oldest surviving public building within the city precinct (its foundation stone was laid in 1841!). The School House Museum within the precinct is also worth a look with some fascinating items dating back to Canberra’s rural past.
As Australia's only national university, we've played a huge part in the history of Canberra. Learn more about the history of ANU.