An ideal city: the 1912 competition to design Canberra

The competition to design a new capital city for Australia caused a sensation in 1912 and remains a fascinating chapter in the history of Australian town planning.

An Ideal City? showcased 46 of the surviving entries, including Walter Burley Griffin’s winning design. Visitors viewed images depicting what Canberra might have looked like had the judges chosen differently and could consider how Sydney might have been like had it also been designed by competition.

A travelling exhibition developed by the National Library of Australia Australian Archives, in conjunction with the National Capital Planning Authority and Visions of Australia. Proudly hosted by the Historic Houses Trust (now Museums of History NSW).