On the northwest edge of the city centre, the old, leafy residentialarea of Turner borders the northern fringes of Acton, a suburb almost entirely consumed by the campus of the Australian National University (ANU). Nestled between Civic and Black Mountain,the 150 hectare native landscaped grounds make a great place for a stroll, and for travellers on a budget, the university's Union offers inexpensive food and entertainment. Close by, on the south-eastern edgeof the ANU, Soundscreeen Australia (formerly the National Film & Sound Archive) features various displays and interactives, dedicated to the last 100 years of Australia's film, television, radio, and recorded sound heritage. Housed within a grand old Art Deco building on McCoy Circuit, Soundscreen also hosts numerous film festivals thoughout the year.
Opened in March 2001, the National Museum of Australia is Canberra's newest and most exciting attraction, receiving an amazing 100 000 visitors in the first month! Superbly set overlooking the lake on ActonPeninsula (the former Canberra Hospital site), the museum explores thestory of Australia and its people, through a multitude of ultra-moderndisplays and multimedia presentations. Left of the museum's main entrance, a separate hall is dedicated to temporary exhibitions such asthe Gold & Civilisation collection currently being showcased (ends 24thJune 2001). The National Museum is also home to an excellent cafe andrestaurant, and apart from the temporary exhibitions, entry is free.
Behind the university on the gentle foothills of Black Mountain, theAustralian National Botanical Gardens is the largest collection ofnative plant species in the country. Separated into specific groups, the 50 hectare gardens beautifully re-create most of the major eco-systems found in Australia, and exploring them is easy. A variety ofwalks all start and finish at the pleasant Kookaburra Cafe, and the elevated boardwalk through Rainforest Gully is just one of many highlights. Perched high on the summit of Black Mountain directly abovethe gardens (you can hike or drive), the 195 metre Telstra Tower is Canberra's most visible landmark, able to be seen from almost any corner of the city. A shorttrip up the tower's elevator provides visitors with unrivalled views inall directions. Vantage points include several viewing platforms and anup-market rotating restaurant.
