Location and travel
History of Canberra
Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal word Kamberra.European settlers arrived in the 1830s, and the area won selection by ballot for the federal capital in 1908. Canberra’s special contrast of nature and urban living was planned in 1912 by master designer, Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect, who won an international design competition.
The provisional Parliament House opened in 1927 in what was then a treeless paddock. For more information on Canberra’s history.
Since then, Canberra has grown into a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with national attractions housing the heritage, history and national collections that make Canberra the home of the Australian story.
Canberra Population
Canberra is home to around 347,000 people.
Driving instructions to AIS Bruce Campus
From Sydney
Continue along the Federal Highway, which changes name to Northbourne Avenue, into
Canberra
- Turn right at Mouat Street traffic lights.
- Continue along Mouat Street and turn left at the Ginninderra Drive traffic lights.
- Continue along Ginninderra Drive and turn left at the Braybrooke Street traffic lights.
- Turn left at the first round-a-bout (Masterman Street).
- Turn right at the first street (Leverrier Street).
From Canberra city centre
- Head north along Northbourne Avenue.
- Turn left at Barry Drive traffic lights.
- Continue along Barry Drive (which changes name to Belconnen Way).
- Turn right at the Haydon Drive traffic lights.
- Turn right at the Battye Street traffic lights.
- Turn left at the last street (Leverrier Street).
Public transport
To reach the campus by public transport you need to catch the number 7 Action bus from either Civic Centre or Belconnen Town Centre.
