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List of buildings and structures in the Australian Capital Territory facts for kids

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The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is a special part of Australia. It's where the nation's capital, Canberra, is located. This list helps us learn about the important buildings and structures in the ACT. These places are special because of their history or their amazing design.

Many groups work to protect these important buildings:

  • The National Heritage List protects places that are super important to all of Australia.
  • The Commonwealth Heritage List is for buildings owned by the Australian Government.
  • The Australian Capital Territory Heritage Register lists places that are important to the people of the ACT. These places help us understand the history and identity of the area.

If a building is on one of these lists, it means it's legally protected. People can't make big changes to them without special permission. This helps make sure these important places are kept safe for future generations.

The Royal Australian Institute of Architects also keeps a list of important 20th-century buildings. While this list doesn't legally protect buildings, it shares information about their cool designs.

Buildings from the 1800s

These buildings were built before Canberra became the capital city. They show us what life was like in the ACT a long time ago.

Name Year built Location What makes it special What's happening now
St John's Anglican Church 1845 Reid This is the oldest public building in Canberra. It was built almost 70 years before Canberra was even chosen as the capital! It has a museum showing Canberra's farming past. It's still an active church and a well-known landmark in Canberra.
Blundells Cottage 1860 Parkes This five-room stone cottage is one of the few reminders of Canberra's early farming days. It's now a museum and is protected by the National Trust of Australia.
Tharwa Bridge 1895 Tharwa This was the very first bridge built across the Murrumbidgee River. This old bridge is still used by light traffic today.
Yarralumla 1891 Yarralumla This house was built by the Campbell family. Since 1927, it has been the home of the Governor-General of Australia, who is the King's representative in Australia. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List, meaning it's protected.
Duntroon House 1833 Royal Military College, Duntroon Also built by the Campbell family, this is the oldest private building still standing in Canberra. It's now used as the officers' mess at the RMC Duntroon. It's protected on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

Buildings from the 1900s

Many important buildings were constructed in the 20th century, especially as Canberra grew into Australia's capital.

Before World War II (1900-1945)

These buildings show the early designs of Canberra.

Name Year built Location What makes it special What's happening now
Hotel Canberra 1922-26 Yarralumla Designed by architect John Smith Murdoch, this hotel has a unique "Garden-Pavilion" style. It's still open to the public as a hotel and is protected by the National Trust.
Old Parliament House 1927 Parkes This was Australia's main Parliament House for many years. It's now a museum and home to the National Portrait Gallery. It's on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Commencement Column Monument 1913 Capital Hill This monument has three foundation stones. It was meant to be a much taller column but was never finished. It's protected on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Old Canberra House 1913 Acton Designed by John Smith Murdoch, this was the first two-story brick building in the new capital. It's protected on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Melbourne & Sydney Buildings 1927 City Centre These two buildings were the first major developments in Canberra's city center. They have a "Mediterranean" style. Their outside and some original inside parts are protected. They are still used for shops and homes.
The Lodge 1927 Deakin This two-story brick building has been the home for most of Australia's Prime Ministers when they are in Canberra. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List. Sometimes it has open days for the public.
Ainslie Public and Primary Schools 1927 Braddon This was the first modern school to open in the ACT, designed in the "Art Deco" style. It's on the Royal Australian Institute of Architects register.
Gorman House Community Arts Centre 1924-25 Braddon This was one of the first hostels built for people working in the new capital. It has a "Garden-Pavilion" style. Different community groups use the buildings. Many parts are open to the public during markets. It's on the ACT Heritage Register.
Yarralumla Woolshed & Outbuildings 1904 Adjacent to Yarralumla Fredrick Campbell built this large woolshed for his nearby farm. The woolshed can be hired for parties and events.
Manuka Swimming Pool 1930 Griffith This pool was a very important social place for early Canberra from the 1930s to the 1960s. It's open to the public for swimming and is on the ACT Heritage Register.
Kingston Powerhouse 1915 Kingston This was the first permanent public building in the ACT. It was designed by John Smith Murdoch. It's on the ACT Heritage Register.
Albert Hall 1927 Yarralumla This hall is a good example of the "Federal Style" of architecture from early Canberra. It's a venue that can be hired for events and is on the ACT Heritage Register.
Australian War Memorial 1941 Campbell This important memorial honors Australians who have died in wars. It's open to the public as a museum and memorial.
Belconnen Naval Transmission Station 1938-1939 Belconnen This was a transmitting station for the navy. Its very tall masts were taken down in 2006. It's on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Canberra City Garbage Incinerator 1938-41 Yarralumla This is one of the few remaining examples of incinerators designed by Walter Burley Griffin. It's on the Register of the National Estate.
Former Forrest Fire Station & Residence 1938 Forest These buildings show a typical "inter-war functionalism" style from Canberra. They now house the Canberra Fire Brigade Museum.
Canberra Grammar School and Chapel 1929-64 Red Hill This school complex is a good example of the "inter-war Gothic" style. It's on the Register of the National Estate.
John Gorton Building 1927 (started); 1956 (opened) Parkes This "Art Deco" building took many years to build. It was started in 1927 but stopped due to money problems, then restarted in 1946. It's listed on the Commonwealth heritage register.
Yarralumla brickworks Yarralumla This was where many of the bricks for early Canberra buildings were made. It's closed to the public.
East Block Government Offices Parkes These offices were an important part of early government operations in Canberra. They are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
West Block Government Offices Parkes Like East Block, these offices were crucial for the government. They are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.

After World War II (1945-2000)

These buildings show more modern architectural styles.

Name Year built Location What makes it special What's happening now
Canberra Olympic Pool 1953—1955 Civic This public pool has a "Modernist" style and Australia's first concrete diving tower. It won an award for its design. It's open to the public for swimming.
University House 1954 Acton This building is part of the Australian National University (ANU). It's still part of the ANU.
The Shine Dome 1959 Acton This building has a unique dome shape and is an example of "Geometric Structuralism." It was designed by Sir Roy Grounds. It houses the offices of the Australian Academy of Science and is sometimes open for public talks. It's on the National Heritage List.
Reserve Bank of Australia 1963-65 City Centre This was Australia's first national central bank, designed in a simple, "minimalist" style. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
National Carillon 1970 Parkes This tall bell tower is an example of the "Brutalist" style. It was a gift from the British Government to celebrate Canberra's 50th anniversary. It's open to the public and is listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Cameron Offices 1970-77 Belconnen Designed by John Andrews, this building is also in the "Brutalist" style. Some parts of the building are being removed, but other parts are protected on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Canberra School of Music 1976 Acton This building has strong, sculptural shapes and is in the "Brutalist" style. It includes the large Llewellyn Hall. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Toad Hall 1977 Acton This is a student residence at the ANU, designed by famous architect John Andrews. It's still an ANU student residence and is on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
High Court of Australia 1975-80 Parkes This building houses Australia's highest court. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
Edmund Barton Building 1970-74 Barton, Australian Capital Territory Designed by Harry Seidler, this building is a great example of the "Late Twentieth-Century International Style" in Australia. It's listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
National Gallery of Australia 1973-82 Parkes, Australian Capital Territory This building, made of reinforced concrete, houses Australia's national art collection. The Gallery and its sculpture garden are open to the public and are listed on the Commonwealth Heritage List.
RG Menzies Building Acton This building at the ANU holds collections about Asia and the Pacific, rare books, and United Nations documents. It's open to the public and is on the ACT Heritage Register.
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture 1999 Barton This is a Christian center that promotes unity among different Christian groups. It's open to the public.
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