Located on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia houses the most valuable art collection in the country. Limited parking is available onsite, but we chose to park at Questacon, where a large carpark is available. This also means that you are close to other attractions in the area without needing to move your car.
Entry to the gallery is free, but you will need to get an entry ticket from the front counter. However, some special exhibitions may have an entry fees. If you have bags or coats you don’t want to carry around with you, self storage lockers are available free of charge.
The collection comprises over 155,000 works of art, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. With artwork from around the world, there is something here for everyone.
We enjoyed walking through the galleries, particularly the unique Indigenous section.
Aboriginal Message SticksTrucaninny, the last full-blood Tasmanian aboriginalGerman and Hungarian Silver and CrystalSacred Frog by YirawalaGija Country by Queenie McKenzieIndigenous Aboriginal Art on woodBlue Poles
For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here
It’s amazing what you can find close to home that you didn’t know existed! It’s even on the local council website, but we somehow failed to see it. About 25 minutes down the Putty Road from Singleton, the Baiame Cave at Milbrodale contains a significant example of Aboriginal art.
Significance
Connected to other sacred sites in the region, the cave and its artwork are culturally significant to the local Wonnarua people. Baiame is the creator and protector of the local people. In the painting he has widespread, larger than life arms. This signifies his status as protector of the local people. His eyes are also overly large, because he was all seeing and all knowing.
The choice of this particular cave is significant because it allows Baiame to look over the land of the Wonnarua. It also allows the local and visiting people to view the creator.
Getting There
Located on private property, access is via a dirt track just off Welshs Road. Although the property is privately owned, you are allowed access to the cave, but be respectful and remember no camping is allowed here. On our visit, a creek crossing just off the road, had been washed out. This meant we couldn’t drive all the way in, but it was only a short flat walk in. A sign at an intersection points in the direction to go.
The cave is located in the small escarpment to the left of the road, with a small path leading up. In the cave, a raised steel mesh platform provides a nice stable area to stand on and view the painting. Do not step off the platform, so as not to damage the cave. Remember the cave is heritage listed and protected.
The Painting
The painting depicts Baiame with arms outstretched looking over the river valley. Also visible are hand and arm stencils, representing the people who cared for and maintained the cave. There are also axe and boomerang stencil around the main figure.
What Did We Think?
This was a great place to visit, not only was it good to see, but we also learnt something else about the local Wonnarua people. The current access may be difficult for people with mobility issues, because you need to climb over the broken river crossing, but otherwise the track is flat and easy to walk.
Direction sign to the caveTrack to the caveTurn off main track here. The cave is in the hillsSteps up to the caveBaiame CaveThe Baiame Cave Painting Baiame Cave Painting
Established in 2003, Broken Bay Pearl Farm is New South Wales’s only pearl farm. Although Sydney Rock oysters used for eating are farmed here, this is the first business to farm pearls.
Located at Mooney Mooney on the Hawkesbury River, parking was at a premium, with some people on our tour parking at the Mooney Mooney Club and walking (only a 5-minute walk away). Starting at an old oyster shed, now used as a sales room and “Shellar Door”, we checked in and waited for the tour to start.
The two-hour tour starts with a history of oyster harvesting in Australia. Archaeological evidence indicates that Aboriginal people (the Darkinjung and Ku-ring-Gai) fished for oysters at least 20,000 years ago. With colonialization, oysters were used for food and later for use in concrete, where their shells were used for lime. Pearl farming first commenced in Broome, Western Australia in 1946.
Local pearl farming started when Agoya oysters were noticed growing on Sydney Rock oysters. This species of oyster produce beautiful mother of pearl, a prerequisite to make pearls. After trials, it was found they could be successfully farmed, leading to Broken Bay Oyster Farms.
Mother of Pearl Oyster ShellsOyster Shells
The Tour
After learning all about pearls, we boarded the catamaran for a one-hour cruise to see the oysters. On the way the guide stopped to show us Aboriginal rock carvings.
Located next to a beautiful little beach, the oyster lease currently contained eight-month-old oysters, because others had been moved out to sea. This was because recent rain had flushed too much fresh water into the area, which was not good for their development.
Our guide retrieved some from their baskets, so we had a chance for a close-up look at them. He then showed how pearls are seeded before they are returned to the water.
Tour Boat
Train Bridge over the Hawkesbury River
Aboriginal Fish Rock Carvings
Beach Near the Oyster Lease
8 Month Old Oysters
8 Month Old Oysters
Oyster Growth Stages
Pearl Seed and Damaged Pearls
What Did We Think?
This was a great tour and something we hadn’t heard about before. Until discovering them, we had no idea about farming pearl oysters on the east coast, let alone being able to go on a tour. We really enjoyed the two hours we were there, because it was interesting and educational.
