Canberra Archives - Destination's Journey

19 March 202411 March 2024

Old Parliament House Canberra

Only intended as a temporary home for the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House in Canberra actually operated as the seat of government from 1928 until 1988. At this time the government move to the new Parliament House on Capital Hill.

It now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy as well as other temporary exhibitions.

Getting There

Car parking is available on King George Terrace as well as in its own car park.

History

Once the independent Australian colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory was established for the development of the new Capital Canberra. With Federation occurring in 1901, it took until 1928 for the Provisional Parliament House to be built. Until this time, Parliament met in Melbourne.

Outside the building are statues of two women: Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons. Dorothy Tagney was the first female Australian senator, while Enid Lyons was the first female in the House of Representatives. Both were elected in 1943.

At the front of the building is a large statue of King George V, the reigning monarch when Australia achieved independence. Another statue of the King is located in the main entrance hall.

The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

King George V Memorial — The first women of Federal Parliament Dame Dorothy Tagney and Dame Enid Lyons

The House of Representatives

To reflect the inheritance of the Westminster System, the House of Representatives is predominantly green, with the carpet and chairs this colour. The Speaker Seat is a copy of the one in The House of Commons presented to Australia by Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926. Interestingly, the original seat in London was destroyed in an air raid during the Second World War. The one used now is a copy of the Australian copy, gifted to the House of Commons by the Australian Parliament.

Visitors are free to walk around the chamber and view the area as the politicians used to.

Entrance to the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives Old Parliament House Canberra — Entrance to the House of Representatives

Prime Ministers Office

Considering the importance of the office, it is remarkably small with small desk and meeting area.

Government Party Room Old Parliament House Canberra — The Prime Minister’s Office

Speaker of the House Office

Being almost as large as the Prime Minister’s office shows the importance of the Speaker in the running of Parliament.

The Speakers' Office Old Parliament House Canberra — The Speakers’ Office

The Senate

Predominantly red in colour to reflect its association with the British House of Lords, the Senate Chamber is far less crowded than the House of Representatives. Each senator had their own desk. This was because there were only half the number of senators in the same sized room.

President of the Senate

Senators' Meeting Room Old Parliament House Canberra — Suite of the President of the Senate

Special Exhibitions

A replica set of the British Crown Jewels are on display during our visit. Excellent copies of the originals, great to see and certainly easier to visit than going to London.

Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

Replicas of the Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria's crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right) — Replicas of the crowns of Queens Mary 1911 (left) and Queen Elizabeth 1937 (right)

What Did We Think?

A great place to learn about how Australian democracy works. Not only an interesting old building with its own importance, but a showcase of how the Westminster style of government operates.

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7 March 20241 March 2024

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Replica statue of the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow

Lennox Gardens Canberra

Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Lennox Gardens in the Australian capital Canberra has several distinct areas gifted to Australia by foreign governments. Additionally it contains several memorials while being a beautiful place to relax.

Nara Peace Park

Gifted to the people of Canberra by the Japanese city of Nara, this small garden contains many traditional elements particularly the large number of decorative trees. Throughout the park, are two stone lanterns and other sculptures.

The tranquility of the garden is wonderful and a great place to wander through.

Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese Gardens

Japanese Garden Lennox Gardens Canberra — Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese Gardens

Beijing Garden

The Canberra Beijing Garden was a gift from the Beijing Municipal Council. Designed in the style of the Qing Dynasty it has a traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors while meandering paths lead past sculptures and a pavilion.

Reverse side of the Chinese gate — Traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors to the Canberra Beijing Garden

JNF Israel Garden

Memorial to the Centenary of Australia and the Centenary of the Jewish National Fund

Spanish Civil War Memorial

This is a small memorial to Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 139.

Canberra Rotary Peace Bell

The Rotary Club of Canberra undertook a fund raising exercise to install a peace bell within the Nara Peace Park precinct. This was done in partnership with the World Peace Bell Association.

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22 February 20249 February 2024

Mount Stromlo Observatory Canberra

Mount Stromlo Observatory Canberra

Devastated by a severe bushfire in 2003, the Mount Stromlo Observatory no longer undertakes active astronomical observations. Instead, it has become the headquarters of the ANU (Australian National University) Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Despite the destruction caused by the bushfire, the ruins of the observatory domes are worth visiting.

History

The first telescope installed at Mount Stromlo was the 9-inch Oddie Telescope (so-called because it was gifted to the Commonwealth by James Oddie, a wealthy Victorian businessman and philanthropist.). Following the Oddie’s findings that this was a suitable location for an observatory, the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established in 1924. Up until the Second World War, its primary focus was solar and atmospheric physics.

During the Second World War, the observatories’ workshops manufactured gun sights and other optical equipment.

Post war, the observatory commenced the study of stellar and galactic astronomy. Renamed The Commonwealth Observatory it continued these studies until 2003.

2003 Bushfire

On 18 January 2003, the devastating Canberra firestorm hit Mount Stromlo (which was surrounded by a plantation pine forest), destroying five telescopes, workshops, seven homes, and the heritage-listed administration building. The only telescope to escape the fires was the 1886 15-centimetre Farnham telescope.

The fire was so intense it melted the optical glass of some telescopes. It was decided that the observation domes and telescopes would not be rebuilt and all observations are now undertaken at the Siding Springs Observatory. However, the workshops were replaced and now produce state of the art astronomical instrumentation.

Getting There

Driving to Mount Stromlo takes around 20 minutes from Canberra, with a carpark located next to one of the burnt-out domes. The last section of road is two-lane but narrow and winding. Cyclists use this section so be careful if you need to pass them on either the uphill or downhill section.

What to See

Unfortunately, both the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed during our visit (January 2024). However a self-guided Heritage Trail loops through the area, enabling you to see experience the area. Walking the trail takes you past all of the domes, several of which are accessible. Information boards placed throughout the observatories’ ground detail the history of the area and the devastation of the 2003 fires.

The damaged caused to the area is very sad, considering the amount of scientific work that was undertaken here. Preserving the ruins however was a great idea, as you still get a feel for what was achieved as well as the loss.

Small outreach telescopes are available for hire with a private star gazing session. Public star gazing is available from April to September each year.

Dome of the 74 inch reflector Mount Stromlo Observatory — Dome of the 74 inch reflector

What Did We Think?

Our photos are available for purchase on

For other great stories from Australia, please use the main menu above, or click on this link

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Category: Canberra

Old Parliament House Canberra

Old Parliament House Canberra

Getting There

History