Canberra as a capital city came into being in 1913 and to me, comes accross as new, but nevertheless, most attractive and perfectly laid out. I am not sure I would want to walk from place to place; our guide told us that generally, to get from one place to another, takes around 10 or 15 minutes (driving). I am delighted a tramway is being installed…nobody else is!
On day 1, we drove to Mount Ainsley, firstly calling at one of the very few buildings which pre-dates Adelaide, the Anglican church of St. John the Baptist. Sunday services are at 7am, 8am, 9.30am and 11.15am. Worship takes place also every day of the week (I’m not sure about Sarurdays!) We continued to Mt. Ainsley where a lookout afforded views of the city. A plaque with a diagram of the view indicates what you are looking at. There is no way that I could remember:-
LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN NATIONAL CARILLION RED HILL. NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA PARLIAMENT HOUSE QUESTACON. ST JOHN’S CHURCH NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA HYATT HOTEL CANBERRA CAPTAIN COOK MEMORIAL WATER JET NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA (Site of Acton House) CITY CENTRE.
We returned to the city, passing Duntroon, a centre for military training, a bit like West Point or Sandhurst, stopping off at the National Capital Exhibition and National Museum of Australia. After lunch there, we took to Lake BURLEY GRIFFIN for an alternative view of the sights we had seen from Mount Ainsley and elsewhere during the two days. Eventually, we attended a daily commemorative ceremony at the War Memorial. The Last Post is sounded and one of the hundred and two thousand Australian casualties of war is remembered at this hugely poignant event.
We adjourned to the hotel for a short rest before dinner and wine pairing at Canberra’ s Aubergine Restaurant, which I would love to re-visit perhaps during a future trip which is already half planned!
We seemed to pack almost as much into our final day. We were shown around New Parliament House, followed by the Australian Royal Mint, and then it was time for lunch and shopping at city centre mall. A Fringe Festival was still in full swing near by, and was great fun. We then journeyed to the National Arboretum where there were further panoramic views. The finale was a visit to high up in the Telstra (telephone company) Tower, again, offering magnificent vistas to gaze upon.
Soon we were back at the airport, then speedily on our way to “would be” capital, Melbourne. All too soon, we were, once again, embarking on board QM2, welcomed by the cruise staff with a glass of champagne, which we enjoyed around a table in the ship’s Grand Lobby. “I may not pass this way again”; it was a magnificent trip.
I would very much liked to have illustrated this brief account. For some reason, I am unable to post pictures at the moment.
Much of today was spent writing this blog while at sea en route for Melbourne….as well as attending events on board.
Best wishes, David.
David's Cruise 