Destination's Journey

Category: History

  • Old Parliament House Canberra

    Old Parliament House Canberra

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

    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
    Entrance to the House of Representatives
    The House of Representatives Old Parliament House Canberra
    The House of Representatives
    Chamber of the House of Representatives, with the Mace of the Speaker on display
    Chamber of the House of Representatives, with the Mace of the Speaker on display

    Prime Ministers Office

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

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

    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.

    Entrance to the Senate Chamber
    Entrance to the Senate Chamber
    The Senate Chamber
    The Senate Chamber

    President of the Senate

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

    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 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 Imperial State Crown (left). Queen Victoria’s crown (centre) and the Imperial Crown of India (right)
    Replica Crown Jewels
    Replica Crown Jewels

    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.

    Our photos are available for purchase on

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  • Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Australian National Maritime Museum

    Covering Australia’s maritime history from pre-colonial times to the present, the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney has an excellent collection of ships and artefacts on display. The most obvious displays are the ships and boats of the heritage fleet docked on Darling Harbour, but those inside also deserve a lot of attention.

    Indigenous Watercraft

    As the oldest users of the Australian coast and waterways, a large section is devoted to indigenous watercraft and heritage. Displays of canoes from around Australia and the Torres Strait are on display.

    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Aboriginal Bark Canoe
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people
    Ilma from the Bardi Jawi people

    Kay Cottee and Blackmores First Lady

    In 1989, Kay Cottee became the first woman to circumnavigate the world alone, without stopping, without assistance, by way of both hemispheres and the five southernmost capes. It took her 189 days in Blackmores First Lady, in a time before Social Media and with poor communications.

    Visitors are able to enter the boat and experience how small it is. Getting on board really makes you realise what an incredible achievement it was.

    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Blackmores First Lady in which Kay Cottee became the first woman to perform a single-handed, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the world
    Inside Kay Cottee's Blackmores First Lady Australian National Maritime Museum
    Inside Kay Cottee’s Blackmores First Lady

    Model Ships

    One section of the Museum has beautifully made ship models relevant to Australia. As the museum is based in Sydney most of the Royal Australian Navy’s shops named HMAS Sydney are displayed. The largest and most impressive is the aircraft carrier, which has amazing detail.

    Other models range from sailing ships to bulk iron ore carriers. All were important either for exploration or trade.

    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    Model of The Royal Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Sydney (III)
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    A model of BHP Pacific Iron
    Sailing Ship Model Australian National Maritime Museum
    Sailing Ship Model

    Other Exhibits

    Interesting displays located throughout the museum include the ships bell from USS Canberra (AG-2) which was named after HMAS Canberra, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Second World War. A 40mm cannon from a Royal Australian Navy ship lets you get a close up look at this important anti-aircraft weapon.

    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2 Australian National Maritime Museum
    The Bell of USS Canberra CAG-2
    Spirit of Australia - The World's Fastest Boat 1978 Australian National Maritime Museum
    Spirit of Australia – The World’s Fastest Boat 1978
    Bofors 40mm cannon Australian National Maritime Museum
    Bofors 40mm cannon
    Up Close with a Figurehead
    Deep Sea Diver Statue Australian National Maritime Museum
    Deep Sea Diver Statue

    HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Vampire (II) D11 was a Daring class destroyer operated by the Royal Australian Navy.  Launched in 1959 and decommissioned in 1986. Entry to Vampire and the other ships is included in the ticket cost of the Maritime Museum (as of March 2024).

    HMAS Vampire National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire
    HMAS Vampire 4.5" Guns National Maritime Museum
    HMAS Vampire 4.5″ Guns
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Sick Bay of HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings' Lounge HMAS Vampire
    Senior Ratings’ Lounge HMAS Vampire

    HMAS Onslow

    HMAS Onslow was an Oberon class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy. Commissioned 1969 in and decommissioned in 1999. Walking through the submarine makes you realise how cramped the conditions are. This isn’t somewhere I would want to live months on end.

    HMAS Onslow Warship Submarine
    HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Engine Room HMAS Onslow
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow National Maritime Museum
    Torpedo Room HMAS Onslow

    Historical Fleet

    The historical fleet contains ships that have importance to Australia’s maritime heritage. Possibly the most impressive to still be preserved is the Krait. This ex-Japanese fishing boat was used by Australia Special Forces during the Second World War to sneak into Singapore Harbour where they damaged 37,000 tonnes of Japanese ships.

    HMAS Advance
    HMAS Advance patrol boat
    MV Krait
    MV Krait
    Lightship Carpentaria
    Lightship Carpentaria
  • Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

    Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

    Maitland Gaol NSW Australia

    Although outdated and no longer in use, the Maitland Gaol in NSW Australia is now a tourist attraction. Several options are available when visiting, guided tours, self guided tours or a guard tower tour. We chose the last option, as this takes you up onto the walls of the gaol, providing better views over the buildings. The guide also gives a commentary full of interesting information. Additionally, you can do the self guided tour when you finish on the walls.

    Getting There

    Located in East Maitland NSW Australia, the gaol has its own car park, so self -drive is usually not a problem.

    Watch Towers

    Before undertaking the tour, a safety talk ensures that you understand the risks and behaviour expected. The main risks are heights and enclosed spaces. These are all managed with guard rails, but if you suffer from heights and enclosed spaces, the guard tower tour might not be for you.

    Climbing to the top of the tower is via a modern metal spiral staircase inside one of the towers. Once at the top, you are safely enclosed by a metal frame and mesh wire. The view from the top is amazing, providing views over the gaol. The hour long tour took us along the walls where guards used to patrol and through several towers.

    Guard Tower
    Guard Tower
    Stairs up to the watch tower
    Stairs up to the watch tower
    Outer Wall Maitland Gaol
    Outer Wall
    Walkway on the wall
    Walkway on the wall
    Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
    Dividing Wall and Razor Wire

    Prison Cells

    Originally opening in December 1848, Maitland Gaol did not close until January 1998. By this time it no longer met community standards.

    The cells and exercise yards are open for visitors to explore where you get to see the conditions the prisoners were held in. The rooms are small and basic reflecting the times in which they were built.

    Gaol Cells
    Gaol Cells
    Gaol Cell Maitland Gaol
    Gaol Cell
    B-Wing Cells
    B-Wing Cells
    Exercise Area
    Exercise Area

    Buildings

    Built of sandstone, the buildings are impressive in size and certainly look substantial and difficult to escape from.

    In addition to the cell blocks, there is a chapel with stain glass windows where religious services took place weekly.

    As the number of prisoners increased over time, the gaol expanded. This is best seen from the guard towers where the original wall now runs down the centre of the gaol forming a dividing wall.

    At this time a building for female prisoners was added. It originally had a balcony and doors facing into the gaol. Later, the women were relocated to another facility and the balcony was removed and the doors filled in. Different coloured sandstone in the walls shows where this happened.

    A-Wing and the Chapel
    A-Wing and the Chapel
    Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
    Looking at A-Wing from the Watch Tower
    Dividing Wall and Razor Wire Maitland Gaol
    Dividing Wall and Razor Wire
    The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells
    The old Female Section (rear) and day-cells. The different sandstone blocks show where the doorways onto the balcony used to be.
    Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
    Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel
    The Kitchen Workers' Cells Maitland Gaol
    The Kitchen Workers’ Cells

    Other Buildings Nearby

    Opposite the gaol is the East Maitland Courthouse. This building is still operating as a children’s’ court, so access is restricted. However, if the court is closed, you can enter the carpark and see the front facade.

    Located next to the gaol on Lindesay Street are the old Mounted Police Barracks. Used by the Maitland and Beyond Family Heritage, it is generally closed to the public. However the outside of the buildings can be viewed from the road.

    East Maitland Court House Maitland Gaol
    East Maitland Court House
    Mounted Police Barracks Maitland Gaol
    Mounted Police Barracks
    Mounted Police Barracks
    Mounted Police Barracks