Canberra

Canberra is Australia's capital city. It's a typical government town: clean, lots of well-maintained infrastructure and full of museums, memorials and professional-type folk. We chose to visit the National Museum of Australia and the War Memorial, two top picks according to Fodor's. We agree!

We took a tour which highlighted the museum's displays. Our guide (ironically an American from Maryland) reviewed Australia's history: the exploration by Captain Cook, the introduction of the convicts, the immigration of the 'free' settlers and the development of industry. The museum tour really helped put together all the puzzle pieces we have collected as we have travelled around the country.

 

 

Love token.

 

The museum had a collection of love tokens. These are coins the convicts would file smooth and then use to carve a message for loved ones. Some of these stories really tug at your heart strings.

 

At the war memorial we checked out the exhibits and watched some short films on different aspects of the second world war from the Australian's point of view. Then we stayed for a very moving closing ceremony which included wreath laying, music from the bagpipes and the bugle playing the Last Post.

 

 

There was a roll of honour of 60,000 names of Australian soldiers who gave their lives in service in various wars. This plaque reminded us that war continues to take lives.

 

 

 

Wreaths after the closing ceremony.

 

 

 

The next day we used the bicycles available at our B&B to ride around some of the city's extensive bike path network. We chose the 28 km path around lake Burley Griffin.

Which way shall we go?

 

 

Is there a beer anywhere on this route?

 

 

The National Museum from across the lake. Lots of recreational use all around.

 

 

Next we carry on to Sydney, drop our car and fly to New Zealand. A whole new chapter in the adventure coming up! We'll be back in a campervan for five weeks while we look around both the north and south islands.

 

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