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It's pretty common practice for hotels, venues and travel sites (like us, look! we're breaking the fourth wall!) to use the term 'city centre' fairly casually. The heart of a city is an oft' overhyped place that nobody really can put their precise finger on. Is it in the CBD, surrounded by towering skyscrapers? Is it an obscure square with some old statues and pigeons sitting in it? Is it that one really cool street where everyone likes to shop and eat and make merry? Where is it, really? How can we truly know? When it comes to seeking out the heart of a place, there really are so many questions.
Fortunately for you, a new study by hotel chain Premier Inn has done all the grunt work for you, revealing the genuine, precise centre of six major Australian cities. By using precise coordinate points and cutting-edge mapping software, these researchers have found the exact geometric centre of cities around Australia and Oceania, and in doing so, revealed some pretty funny findings that may shift the way you look at the place you live.
Perth
It's good to start strong. This study revealed that Perth's true centre is, believe it or not, none other than the Heirisson Island Kangaroo Sanctuary, an urban oasis that's home to a strong and small population of western grey kangaroos. This tiny island in the middle of the city is tucked between East Perth and Victoria Park on the Swan River, and is an important Indigenous site. The Nyoongar name for the area is Matagarup, which means ‘leg deep’ and is a popular place for anyone who wants to frolic with kangaroos while still being in the middle of the city.
Melbourne
In Melbourne, the precise centre of the city is none other than the Australian Red Cross Blood Bank, located at 100–154 Batman Street. While this location is just a few minutes away from the CBD and Flagstaff Gardens, it's also a blood donation centre, which adds a somewhat funny dose of reality to coining a city's 'pumping heart'. Also, Batman Street. You can't make this up.
Brisbane
Brissy's true centre is Silky Oaks Picnic Area. Tucked away in the quiet suburb of Silky Oak – a few kilometres from the CBD – this park is close to West End cafés, South Bank art galleries and the sweeping views you can get on top of Mount Coot-tha.
Sydney
The Emerald City's real heart is none other than Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills. This is actually pretty cool. With a gorgeous lap pool, great green space, heaps of playground and sports areas, and a proximity to the delightful eateries of Surry Hills, Prince Alfred Park is both near the legit CBD and a place that's great to hang out in Sydney, just as itself.
Adelaide
South Australia's capital city's core is, in fact, Adelaide Oval. This huge, iconic oval calls itself 'the heart of South Australia', and it's not even marketing hype. They're actually right. With a capacity of more than 50,000, this huge sports venue is beloved by locals for playing host to cricket and Aussie Rules footy games, massive concerts and a whole rainbow of other exciting events.
Canberra
Acton Beach, which is not actually a real beach, but rather a new, lakeside park precinct on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, is the ACT's true centre. Branded as Canberra's newest beach, this is a sandy shored place to swim, splash and gaze out at the reflections of Australia's capital institutions in the still, man-made waters.
Want more of this? You can check out all of the world's true city centres by clicking right here.