Canberra

The Capital City of Australia and by far the most organised of all the places regarding it's tourist attractions.  Amazingly many of the attractions are free entry and this alone was a bonus.  We left Nelligen with continuous rain but as we climbed the mountain towards Canberra the clouds became less threatening and the rain just became light drizzle.  We travel at around 25kph up Kings Highway as the climb was steep and windy but we got up the hill regardless, even though everyone else was passing us like we were standing still.  We found a site at Exhibition Park in Canberra.  Our first full day in Canberra we visited the Old and New Parliament Houses.  At the Old Parliament house we walked around doing the kids tour which visited all the main areas.   We saw were Bob Hawke sat as prime minister and even got to sit in the speakers chair.  The tour was excellent for kids but they particularly like it when they got to dress up.  Nigel made a great roman soldiers.....lol....  We then visited the new parliament house and arrived in time for the question time and we got to see Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Kevin Rudd and Peter Garrett, just to name a few.   They so do behave worse than kids during this time and the speaker of the house was very forceful with many members of the house.  I think they were lucky not to be thrown out of the room!

Roman Guards

I'm this big!

On top of Parliament House - Canberra

The following day we visited the War Memorial.  The place generally makes me sad and proud at the same time.  It brought tears to my eyes thinking of all the families who have had their loved ones go to war.  The stories and the photos and the the memorabilia are just amazing and with the introduction of the new areas the War Memorial has become one of my favourite attractions in Canberra.  One place very worthwhile to visit.  Nigel and I both did searches on our grandparents and found both in the war records.  I wish I knew more about what Pa did during this time but with him passing on so many years ago that information is definitely buried with him.  The kids really enjoyed the interactive components on display and they were very keen to find out more.

Pool of Reflection at the War Memorial

A smile that warms my heart

We took the next day a little quieter with a quick visit to the Mint to see the production of our coins and to press our own and to visit Cockington Green a very cute miniature village.  The kids rode the miniature train and visit the world via the miniature villages.  We even visited Kent for Alex and Lithuania for Tom. Very quick trip and it didn't even take us that long!

Triton the robot at the mint

Our visit to Lithuania

Off to Kent we did trot!

Today we visited Questacon and CSIRO Discovery Centre.  Both places were excellent but Questacon was amazing.  The hands on activities and the number of scientific displays aimed at kids learning to love sciences was fabulous.  I got to face one fear by going on the drop slide.  I was a little hesitant at first but finally went and was amazed at the feeling I got when I let go.  Austin attempted to go but at the last moment found the drop a little to scary.  Good on our little man for having a look at it.  Even Nigel wouldn't have a go.  The kids and Nigel particularly like the flight simulator and spent a fair amount of time on it.  I think Nigel in particular loved it as i had to drag him away to get to the next room.  The H2O exhibition was also very fun with the kids having a go at everything.  While at Questacon we got to see two shows one one the science of musical instruments and the other on predator/prey.  The kids really loved the musical instrument one...it did help we had a very quirky American taking the presentation...The kid learnt about an ((((((oscillator)))))) and an echo echO ecHO eCHO ECHO.  They constantly repeat this part of the performance.  At the CSIRO Jordan, Austin and Kaleb became our budding scientists.  They learnt about cholesterol, water management and how to mix acids and bases. They even tackled the microscope that I find difficult to use.

What a musical family

I'm electrifying!



Me taking the drop!



Flight simulator

Budding scientist

On our second last day in Canberra we visited the AIS and toured around some of the elite facilities that they have.  Unfortunately we did not get to see any athletes as their training times are not around the times the tours were on.   The simulation room was excellent though and the kids had fun kicking goals, shooting hoops from a wheelchair, riding bikes and rowing.  That night we took ourselves off to Alto Towers a revolving restaurant (Black Mountain - Telstra Tower).  The meal was amazing and it was fine dining.  A new experience for the kids and a rare experience for Nigel and I.  At least this time we realised that a side dish was required to go with the main meals...lol...The meal was fabulous and the view spectacular.  I had a thoroughly great night even after the bill arrived and  I choke on my last mouth full of drink.  After leaving the tower we decided to go for a drive around Canberra to see the lights of Parliament House so we drove the ten minutes into Capital Hill only to arrive with the lights off.  We did a lap of the block and pulled up next to the Federal Police standing by the road and asked them why the lights were off and he laughed a little and said that it was 'Earth Hour' and that the lights would not be back on for another half an hour.  Can you believe our luck!  The only night they turn them off we come to have a look at them.  I think that's Karma coming back to bite us on the bottom.....

The AIS gymnastics hall



View from Black Mountain - Telstra Tower



Black Mountain looking towards central Canberra



My lovely meal at Alto Towers

Our final full day in Canberra we spent hanging around the caravan park chatting to new acquaintances, Jodie, Jason, Aidan, William and Oscar.  Another family travelling the Australian beaten track.  They are from Western Australia and have been on the road for awhile now.  Our boys loved playing games with their boys.  They left around midday to continue north.  That afternoon a new family moved in next door and as usual the kids were hesitant about talking to the new kids.  So as the mother stepped out of the van I made a quick comment about how our children had been eyeing each other off but not will to say hello and introduce themselves.  So as parents we did the introductions for them but as this was happening I kept look at the mother think that woman was familiar and when she mentioned that her name was Wendy I joking said "Is that you Wendy Hay from Geelong and you went to Bell Park High?"  I think Wendy nearly fell over and took a double take as she said YES!  I explained who I was and slowly the pieces came back together.  Amazingly Wendy has been living in the Port Douglas/ Townville regions of Queensland for 15+ years and that in itself was just as amazing.  We spent the remained of the afternoon reminiscing and getting to know one another again.  It just a little annoying that we had to leave tomorrow as it would have been good to catch up with them some more.

Time to leave Canberra.  We really enjoyed our stay and thankfully I tracked down the location of my camera that went missing between Nikon and Canberra PO. It  was still sitting at Australian Air Express. Thank goodness we were heading to Queanbeyan to fix the tow hitch height otherwise we would have had to go backwards a fair way.  After having the problems fixed we headed for Moss Vale to stay the night.  On our way through we visit the Big Merino at Goulbourn and began our token photos of all things large.  We continued on to Moss Vale but Nigel felt that we could make Nowra before six so we continued on our way.  The road was very picturesque and we were enjoying the drive.  Just east of Fitzroy Falls we entered a large low gear downhill decent.  We were hoping this was were Nowra could be found.  But unfortunately it was not and we began the steep climb up the opposite side of the Illawarra Escarpment.