Eden's Australasia Australia's federation

Map of Twofold Bay proposed Federal Capital works. Federal Capital proposed sites special map collection. Courtesy of the National Library of Australia

AUSTRALIA'S FEDERATION:

After Australia became a federated nation in 1901, the search was on for a capital city site.

With the Monaro a favoured choice, Sabina Pike began construction of the Australasia in anticipation that Twofold Bay would be the port for the new city. Newspapers commented that Eden would be raised to a rank of "...prominence..." as a result of the "...strong representations made in favour of Southern Monaro..." being the Federal Capital site. The hotel's name, stature and quality reflects a time of considerable optimism locally.

Map of Twofold Bay with proposed works shown in red, from the Federal Capital proposed sites special map collection.

Courtesy of the National Library of Australia