2008 - Canberra & Sydney, Australia
A long weekend in Australia's capital.
Friday 24 October 2008 - Tuesday 28 October 2008
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2008 Canberra
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This was a long weekend away over the NZ Labour Day holiday weekend. I had never been to Canberra so thought I would have a look.
My first day was marred by flight problems and I did not get to Canberra until late in the afternoon, several hours late.
The second day was spent in a long walk around the lake, the parliament buildings and then up to the Australian War Memorial. This is a very interesting place to visit, commemorating as it does the many thousands of Australians killed in wars from 1900 onwards.
Lake Burley Griffin in the heart of the city.
The circus is in town and no, it is not the Australian Parliament.
The circus, the old parliament buildings (white building in front) and the new parliament at the back.
The parliament buildings again.
The view over the lake, up Anzac Avenue, towards the Australian War Memorial.
Looking over the top of the old parliament buildings to the War Memorial.
Looking back the other way towards Parliament.
The entrance to the War Memorial.
On the third day I caught the train back to Sydney. This four hour journey meandered its way through rural New South Wales (most notably Bowral, home to Don Bradman) and then the western suburbs of Sydney.
The last day was spent on a ferry cruise to Manly Beach and wandering the Rocks area.
One of the more famous buildings in the world.
Canberra does not have a great reputation and is not a place many tourists go to. It is basically Federal Government, embassies, the Australian War Memorial and other national institutions. I am not sure I would go back there as once you have seen the War Memorial and the lake, then that is it.
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