Canberra: Why Australia?s capital needs to be noticed

by Bruce HolmesFor anyone who thinks that Canberra isn?t a travel destination, that it?s just for politicians and bureaucrats, think again. Australia?s capital has everything from the iconic symbols of a nation?s heart to the downright quirky and a few secret gems.
Any visit of less than three days wouldn?t even scratch the surface. Try these day-trip selections for proof there?s more to Oz than Sydney, Melbourne and the beach.
National Portrait Gallery
The NPG immortalizes the faces of famous Australians in a collection covering everything from history to politics and sport, but it?s the music and arts section that grabs my attention.
There?s the portrait of Deborah Mailman, the first Aboriginal woman to win an AFI Best Actress Award, an oil painting by Evert Ploeg that draws you in.
Other faces include a painting of Barry Humphries by Clifton Pugh, John Elliott?s photograph of Slim Dusty and David Rosetzky?s video portrait of actress Cate Blanchett, exploring aspects of her work and personality.read more

Molly Sims Monet Mazur Monica Bellucci Monica Keena