The awe-inspiring Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia and the Australia National Botanic Gardens are the chief picks.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | Rugby World Cup | Venues Guide | City guide: Canberra

Julia Gillard, the prime minister of Australia, scored a political victory when the lower house of parliament passed the controversial Minerals Resource Rent Tax, which will subject mining companies to a higher levy on annual profits.

ECONOMIST: Politics this week

Australia's lower house of parliament has narrowly passed a bill for a controversial carbon tax.

BBC: Australia parliament passes divisive carbon tax

The Speaker's chair - with a lighted canopy - was originally a present from Australia and is the only wood of its type in the Houses of Parliament (d).

BBC: COMMONS' CHAMBER