Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is a city of about 300,000
inhabitants, set on a river plain nestled between hills rising about 300m
above the valley floor. It is a planned city, based on a plan by Walter
Burley Griffin who won an international competition to design Australia's
capital. The centrepiece is Lake Burley Griffin, about which national institutions
such as Parliament House, the National Gallery, the High Court and
the Australian National University are placed, as well as `Civic', the
commercial and civic centre of Canberra. The higher elevations are kept
as substantial nature reserves, and there are additionally numerous landscaped
parks and gardens, giving Canberra an unusually large proportion of green
open space throughout the city.
A.N.U. is located on the north side of the Lake, between Civic and Black
Mountain reserve. From the School of Mathematical Sciences it is a short
walk to the central shopping areas, the main bus interchange, numerous
restaurants, and Canberra's major theatres and
concert hall. It is also walking distance to the National Botanic Gardens
and the National Museum, which opened in March 2001.
The School of Mathematical Sciences at A.N.U. comprises the Department
of Mathematics and the Centre for Mathematics and its Applications. Both
sections are actively involved in research and graduate supervision, while
the Department is primarily responsible for undergraduate teaching.
Here are some links for further information about the Australian
National University including a map,
and the
School of Mathematical Sciences
at ANU.
The weather is Canberra is generally sunny and pleasant. The average daily temperature range is 0-11 degrees in July and 12-26 degrees in December. The current forecast for Canberra can be found here, and climate statistics for Canberra can be found here. Visitors to Canberra during July and August from abroad should remember to bring warm clothes, since it is winter in Canberra during this time, and temperatures can fall below zero Celcius during the night.
Canberra's cultural attractions are greater than might be expected from a city of its size due to the presence of national institutions such as the National Gallery, Australia's premier art collection, the National Library, the War Memorial and the National Museum which will open in March 2001. In addition it has an active professional and community theatre and music scene and hosts a number of arts festivals throughout the year.
Near Canberra is a variety of landscapes. Namadgi National Park, an alpine area whose Brindabella Range is visible from many points in Canberra, is only an hour's drive away. The Snowy Mountains are 2-3 hours' drive and offer skiing in winter and bushwalking in summer. The very beautiful New South Wales south coast and escarpment country is about 2-2 1/2 hours' drive, while the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, are about 4 hours' drive. Canberra is about 300km by road from Sydney and 600km from Melbourne, with approximately hourly airline connections to both cities.
Further Tourist information about Canberra.
Most international visitors will need either a visa or an Electronic
Travel Authority to enter Australia. Information
about visas and ETAs.
Further information for Special Program visitors
Getting to ANU from the airport. The best way to get to ANU is by taxi, which is not too expensive -- about A$16. The address of Liversidge Court is Liversidge St, ANU (building 78 on the map). Keys are obtained during office hours (9am till 5pm) from the Housing Office, Brian Lewis Crescent which is next to Liversidge Court (building 77). However, after hours, you should go to ANU security at the Yencken Building, Sullivan's Creek Road (building 45) to get the keys -- have the taxi wait while you get the keys since it is about a ten minute walk back to Liversidge Court from the Yencken building.
If you are staying at University House (building 1) then take a taxi directly to University House, ANU campus. The reception desk there is open at any time of day or night.
If you are going directly to the John Dedman Mathematical Sciences building (building 27), ask to be dropped off at the end of Kingsley Street as many taxi drivers do not know where this building is.
General information about staying at Liversidge Court or University House. Liversidge Court Apartments are studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom apartments on the ANU campus, with full kitchen facilities. They are about 10 minutes' walk from the John Dedman Mathematical Sciences Building, and about 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. Some advice about food: to get groceries, the closest place is City Markets, corner of Bunda and Petrie Streets, in the city centre. There is a big supermarket there, as well as specialty shops selling meat, fish, cheese, bread, etc. University House, which is only about 2 minutes' walk from Liversidge Court, has a very good wine shop, and also sells a few basic things like milk and snacks. There is also a couple of places at University House to get meals, including quite a good restaurant, and a bar and canteen, next to a pleasant beer garden. There are, of course, many restaurants and cafes in the city centre.
Transport. Liversidge Court and University House are about 10 minutes' walk from the Mathematical Sciences building and 15 minutes' walk from the city centre. Attractions such as the National Museum and the Botanic Gardens are easy walking distance. The National Gallery and Parliament House are about 45 minutes' walk, or a 10 minute bicycle ride. There is a bus route (number 34) that goes to all Canberra's major attractions, although it runs rather infrequently. The main bus interchange is on East Row, in the city centre. Also, taxis are not too expensive over short distances. Further information about buses.
Bicycles can be rented near the Ferry terminal by the lake (close to
the footbridge at the end of Marcus Clarke Street). However, the organisers
may be able to lend you a bicycle free of charge during your stay -- ask
Andrew Hassell. Canberra is a pleasant place for bicycling because there
are many off-road bicycle paths, including one right around the lake. Remember
to cycle on the left!
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