Canberra the Capitol of Australia - December 10-11. 2013

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10-11, 2013

BOTTOM LINE:

Drove to Canberra, toured the Capitol of Australia

BACK STORY:

We took off after breakfast and headed west to the Capitol of Australia, Canberra.  As we got out a ways we entered the Southern Highlands of the country.  High grasslands made a perfect habitat for cattle and sheep grazing.  Alpaca and wool fibers are processed in the area for warm and beautiful clothing. 

The winds were very strong and made driving a real challenge… both hands on the wheel at all times!

We did stop in a little town to see “the biggest sheep in the world!” The locals refer to it as, “The BIG MERANO.”  Sorry but I had to share the pain!

The Big Mereno

By the time we checked in and had a little rest, we ventured into the area of Kingston for dinner.  It was a real find of small restaurants clustered in a three block radius and catered to the government employees who lived in the area and commute into the Capitol.  We found St Lucia’s Trattoria and settled in to share a wonderful lasagna Bolognese with grilled mushroom garlic bread.

Wednesday morning was time to visit the Capitol of Australia…Canberra.  We had hoped to take a bus tour with commentary but it was not running.  We did visit the National Science and Technology Center, the National Library where a wonderful world map exhibit was, drove past the Capitol building, visited the National Museum of Australia, and hiked around Testra Tower.  Unfortunately we arrived to the National Botanic Gardens after they closed.

Canberra the nations capitol

 

The Capitol

I have to say that both the city and the Capitol were quite unremarkable.  The city had a tannin colored lake as a focal point and the capitol itself was rather hidden in a grass covered bunker with a metal flag stand above.  We have been reminded by many locals that Australia is a "baby" at only 200 years of history.  The architectural style and scale are more of what our state capitols might do...just an observation.  The museum of natural history on the other hand was magnificent!