Canberra - Australia 2004 - page 593

The Canberra Airport is about 10 minutes from the city center. Car-rental
desks can be found there, as well as a currency exchange, a bar, and a bistro.
Stamps are sold at the newsdealer and a mailbox is provided for cards and let-
ters. The airport lacks lockers, showers, and a post office.
The Airliner Bus ( & 02/6299 3722 ) operates a 20-minute shuttle between
the CBD and the airport Monday to Friday, leaving hourly. They charge A$5
(US$3.25) per person one-way.
BY TRAIN A nice way to see the countryside while you're in Australia is to
take the train. Countrylink ( & 13 22 32 in Australia; www.countrylink.nsw.
gov.au) runs three Canberra Xplorer trains daily between Sydney and Canberra.
The 4-hour trip costs around A$70 (US$46) in first class and A$50 (US$33) in
economy; children are charged half price, and a return trip costs double. Many
people make use of Countrylink transport/hotel packages (call Countrylink
Holidays at & 13 28 29 ), which can save you quite a bit. You can choose between
a range of accommodations in Canberra from A$90 to A$190 (US$59-US$124)
a night for a couple, and if you book in advance (they recommend 2 weeks), you
can save up to 40% on the fare (through a Rail Escape package). Find the Coun-
trylink office at Wynyard CityRail station in Sydney.
From Melbourne, the Canberra Link, run by V/Line ( & 13 61 96 in Aus-
tralia), involves a 5-hour bus trip and a 3 1 ⁄ 2 -hour train trip. It costs A$55
(US$36) for adults and A$34 (US$22) for children and students.
Canberra Railway Station ( & 02/6239 6707 ) is on Wentworth Avenue,
Kingston, about 5km (3 miles) southeast of the city center. Coaches connect the
railway station to the center.
BY BUS Greyhound Pioneer ( & 13 20 30 in Australia; www.greyhound.
com.au) does six runs a day from Sydney to Canberra. Tickets cost A$35 (US$23)
for adults, A$32 (US$21) for students with ISAC (International Student Activ-
ity Card), and A$28 (US$18) for children 3 to 14; the trip takes 4 to 4 1 ⁄ 2 hours.
From Melbourne, tickets to Canberra cost A$56 (US$36) for adults, A$50
(US$33) for students, and A$45 (US$29) for children. (Advanced purchase
fares can save you up to 35%.)
Murrays Australia ( & 13 22 51 in Australia) runs three services a day from
Sydney to Canberra for A$35 (US$23) for adults and A$19 (US$12) for chil-
dren. Ask for YHA member discounts. Several sightseeing companies in Sydney,
including AAT King's, Murrays, and Australia Pacific Tours, offer day trips to
Canberra as well.
Interstate buses arrive at Jolimont Tourist Centre, at the corner of North-
bourne Avenue and Alinga Street, in Canberra City.
BY CAR The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) is surrounded by New South
Wales. Sydney is 306km (190 miles) northeast, and Melbourne is 651km (404
miles) southwest of Canberra. In late 2001 the traveling time to Canberra was
cut significantly following the opening of an extension to the M5 motorway that
linked with the Eastern Distributor near Sydney Airport. (Turn right before you
reach the airport and follow the signs to Wollongong, then the M5.) Now the
drive takes between 3 and 3 1 ⁄ 2 hours. From Melbourne, take the Hume High-
way to Yass, switch to the Barton Highway; the trip will take about 8 hours.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Canberra Visitors' Centre, 330 Northbourne Ave., Dickson ( & 1300/554
114 in Australia, or 02/6205 0044), dispenses information and books accom-
modations. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5:30pm,