Embassies, Canberra

You could drive or walk past the different embassy offices.Each embassy has a unique building that reflects the culture and archietechture that particular nation.Since they are all situated close to each other,you could either take a drive through or just walk around.

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If you have visited the High Commissions I have listed above, you could not fail to have noticed the extensive buildings and grounds of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, immediately across the way. This is an excellent example of building in the national style.

When I took the photos there was little visible security, apart from a large steel fence and closed gate, but I would expect that no nonsense would be tolerated! Outside was a very visible ongoing protest by Falung Gung members, on both sides of the road, and a steady stream of (apparently) chinese visitors who were ignoring the protest and frantically taking photos of each other outside their Embassy.

For a view inside the Embassy, there is a tip in the "Off the Beaten Path" section, also a travelogue of photos.

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The embassies In Canberra are perhaps the only ones in the worlds that are tourist attractions.

There are 80 embassies scattered around the city of Canberra If you want to see them all its best to have the use of a car.Yarralumla IS the main region of embassies

Start your embassy tour on commonwealth Ave

While walking down commonwealth ave the first embassy you see is the British embassy, next door to it is New Zealand, Canada followed by PNG.Go back to The British embassy and take a right. You will see the Chinese embassy

Drive on Forster Cr and you go past embassies of Brazil, Singapore & Finland.

Take a left into Darwin ave & you will see the embassies of Egypt, Indonesia, France & South Africa, plus the behind of the American embassy

Take a right at Perth ave & keep on driving until you see the Mexican & Malaysian embassy on both sides of the road.

Drive down empire cct 2 see the embassies of Spain, Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Korea, Japan & Thailand. Drive back up . Take a left & your at the Norway embassy

Go back to the Spanish embassy & that’s when you take a left into Arkana st. you will go past the Irish & Burmese embassies.Down wana street & U will see the Germany & Israel embassy.
On Turrana st you will see embassies of Poland, Sweden, India, Greece, head past the Greece embassy. Turn left on empire cct & that’s where you will see The Japanese & Thai embassy. Drive down Adelaide ave to see the Saudi & Nigerian embassies.

Remember The embassies are a government building. Security everywhere, police patrol the streets. You may only enter the embassy with an official reason (ie visa application, passport renewal etc). The PNG High commission allows visitors.It has an Exhibition Center open on weekdays. A few embassies have an open day once a year & sometimes a display.

If planning on visiting it is best booking ahead & letting them know so they don’t think your straying o foreign soil

If taking photos don’t be surprised if a guard comes up to you & asks what are you doing.

There is a nice exhibition in the building of the Embassy of Indonesia in Canberra. It shows the history, tradition, culture of Indonesia. This is a guided tour and you may just simply visit the exhibition during normal office hours of the Embassy. It is free of charge.

Indonesian Embassy in Canberra was officially opened by President Soeharto on 7th February 1972.

New Zealand is just across the Tasman Sea from Australia and, not surprisingly, has very close links. It also is not in the 'large nations' category, so although there was no visible visitors welcome sign like that of PNG, the NZ High Commission has a comfortable feel to it - somewhat enhanced by the corrugated iron cows decorating the grass outside!

I'd have thought they should be sheep...... (LOL)

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The Embassies (or 'High Commissions' for the British Commonwealth) of overseas countries are located in Canberra. Many are in building styles reflecting those of their country. The Papua New Guinea High Commission is one of the more spectacular examples, displaying a Melanesian longhouse style.

It is interesting that the security concerns at the Embassies/High Commissions seem to be the inverse of the country's size. So the PNG High Commission (see pic 2) actually has a sign outside inviting visitors. Note also the carved poles in that photo.

The High Commissions/Embassy in this and the following tips are within close walking distance of each other.

The British High Commission is next door to the New Zealand High Commission. Whether it is because Britain is somewhat larger in international importance than NZ, or because it is involved in a certain military action, or because the High Commission is across the road from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China - but the welcome sign was definitely not out here! OK, this is the rear entrance, but it was bristling with security paraphenalia and the security man in the photo gave me a very 'interested' look as I wandered past shortly before taking this photo!

As the country's capitol, all the embassies are here. Most of them are in a very small area, and it's fun to walk around to look at the different architectural styles. For example, the US embassy is designed in a traditional Southern style, the Japanese has traditional gardens, the Italian one looks like it came from ancient Rome, etc.

Of course, you have to look at them through locked gates, but it's fun anyway.