Fact Sheets & Video - Canberra

Beyond the politics and pyrotechnics that is our nation's bush capital, when you skirt around the outside of Canberra, you'll soon realise there's much more than first meets the eye.

The gracefully nostalgic Lanyon Homestead is reputed to be Australia's oldest working farm. The homestead dates from the 1850s and has been gracefully restored and furnished, and is set amongst refined, sprawling gardens. The land was occupied by Aborigines for millennia and then by European pastoralists for over 160 years.

Although there have been many changes to Lanyon, such as trees removed, paddocks ploughed and buildings erected - the continuity of pastoral use remains unbroken. Sheep, cattle and horses still graze on the timbered hills and fertile banks of the Murrumbidgee River and the courtyard outbuildings and exhibitions focus on aspects of genuine Australian country life.

Lanyon is still very much its own little community, with seven residential cottages on the property, and most of its residents not only living but also working there. There is also the Lanyon caf to satisfy gourmets.

In complete contrast, the space-age and futuristic Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, about 35kms southwest of the city of Canberra, plays a vitally strategic role in the Deep Space Network (NASA) and is the only DSN in the southern hemisphere.

The CDSCC is open to the general public with a Visitor Centre featuring exhibits that provide visitors with some fascinating insights into space exploration.

The Visitor Centre at Canberra Space Centre (CSC) is where the public have the opportunity to learn more about the history of space exploration and the work the Australian site are actively doing every day.

It features exhibits that include an actual piece of the moon that is 3.8 billion years old and was returned by the Apollo 11 astronauts and presented to CDSCC as a thank you gift for the work the Australian site does. Apparently this is the largest and only piece of Apollo 11 returned moon rock on display outside the United States.

There are samples of astronaut food, astronaut spacesuits and flight suits, including a suit worn by Australian astronaut Andy Thomas. Large models of planets, rockets and the space shuttle plus a full-scale replica of the Mars Rovers on a Martian panorama/surface is also on exhibit.

Just a stone's throw from the CDSCC is the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Tidbinbilla is a valley rich in indigenous and natural heritage and plays an important role in captive wildlife management, in particular the captive breeding program for the endangered northern corroboree frog and the brush-tailed rock-wallaby.

However, the majority of people who visit the reserve come to see the platypus frolicking in the dam with around 14 known playtpus making regular appearances and keeping visitors entertained at dawn and dusk. You are practically guaranteed to see one of them swimming - best times to visit are dawn and dusk.

Further Information:

Medina Executive James Court - 1 night from $180 one-bedroom, $240 two-bedroom. Call (02) 6240 1234. Prices correct at 16/6/07. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Canberra Space Centre - Open daily PH: (recorded info) - Call (02) 6201 7880 or visit www.cdscc.nasa.gov for more information. Open 7 days a week, (closed Christmas day only) between 9am and 5pm.

Entry to the Visitor Centre is FREE - 421 Discovery Drive, Tourist Drive 5, Tidbinbilla ACT.

Lanyon Homestead - Tharwa Drive, Tharwa ACT 2620. Call (02) 6235 5677 or visit www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au/lanyon/index.asp for more information. Admission prices:

$7 Adult, $5 Concession and $15 Family Open Tuesday - Sunday : 10am - 4pm.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre - Paddys River Rd, Tidbinbilla, ACT 2620. Day Pass Private Entry: $8.50 - private vehicle (up to 8 seats), $5.50 - private vehicle concession, $3.30 - motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian. Group entry: $2.20 - coach passenger, $1.10 - student (educational groups). Call (02) 6205 1233.

Medina Executive James Court Apartments - Rooms start at $180.00 for a 1 Bedroom Apartment and $240.00 for a 2 Bedroom Apartment. Call (02) 6240 1234 or visit www.medina.com.au for more information.