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Category: History

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Mount Stromlo Observatory Canberra

Laser range finding facility

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
Laser range finding facility Mount Stromlo Observatory
Laser range finding facility
Outreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nights
Outreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nights
The repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30"
The repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30″
Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation dome Mount Stromlo Observatory
Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation dome
Ruins of the 50" Great Melbourne Telescope
Ruins of the 50″ Great Melbourne Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Looking out of the window in the Yale Colombia Telescope
Looking out of the window in the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Inside the ruins of the Yale Colombia Telescope
Storm Trooper mural at Mount Stromlo
Storm Trooper mural at Mount Stromlo
Man on the Moon sculpture
Man on the Moon sculpture

What Did We Think?

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Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE

Discover Ancient Egypt At The National Museum of Australia in Canberra

On display until 8 September 2024 at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, Discover Ancient Egypt displays fascinating artifacts from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).

What’s on Display

Entering the museum, you are greeting by a statue of Anubis, the Egyptian god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld. From here, the displays take you through the lives of ancient Egyptians, with an emphasis on the funerary process.

Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Statue of Anubis at the Entrance to the Australian Museum

Stelae

Used for a variety of purposes, stelae are stone or wooden slabs containing information. Uses included burial markers placed outside tombs, monuments that commemorated special events, the marking of boundaries or made offerings to gods. As such they provide a great inside to the thinking of the Egyptians.

Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
Funerary stela of Hor, Late period 26th Dynasty c.664-525 BCE
Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
Limestone offering stela of Khu and his family, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1878-1843 BCE
Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Stela of Pamaaf, showing Pamaaf making an offering to Re-Horakhty and a figure of Ptah-Sokar-Osiris
Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Limestone offering stela, 12th Dynasty, c.2080-1940 BCE

Sarcophagi and Coffins

This was one of the largest parts of the display, with 10 coffins on display. The detail of the decorations used on them really has to be seen to be appreciated. Not only are the outsides covered, but the interior as well.

Also in this section, were several mummies. To demonstrate the latest scientific techniques used an interactive display allowed us to see what a 3D scan revealed. This meant that the interior and composition of the mummy could be determined without unwrapping and damaging the body inside.

Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
Cartonnage of Nehemsu, 22 Dynasty, 943-746 BCE
Inner coffin of Amenhotep - High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
Inner coffin of Amenhotep – High Priest of Amun, 21st Dynasty 1076-944 BCE
Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Detail of the Inner coffin of Amenhotep 1076-944 BCE
Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period 722-332 BCE
Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
Mummy cover of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
Inner coffin of Khonsuhotep, Third Intermediate Period 1076-944 BCE
Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Coffin of Haytemhat, Late Period, c.722-332 BCE

Canopic Jars

During the mummification process, the internal organs and brain were removed. As these would be needed in the afterlife, they were stored in canopic jars. On display, were a series of jars, showing how the designed changed from square boxes, to stone jars.

Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Canopic chest, Late Period, 722-322 BCE
Three canopic jars
Three canopic jars

Burial Goods

To ensure the dead enjoyed the afterlife, the tombs contained objects they would need. This could be as simple as a model of a boat, or a complex diorama showing the making of bread and the brewing of beer, to ensure that these were is plentiful supply.

Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
Winged scarab, representing the rising sun
Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
Tomb statue of Hormin 19th Dynasty, 1290-1213 BCE
Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
Pyramidion of Pauty, New Kingdom 1539-1077 BCE
Ship model 722-322 BCE
Ship model 722-322 BCE
Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra
Model Granary, Middle Kingdom 1980-1760 BCE

What Did We Think?

This was a fantastic exhibition and highly recommended to anyone who likes archaeology or ancient history. Laid out with plenty of detailed descriptions, the displays are amazing. If you’re in Canberra while it’s on, it’s a great way to see Egyptian artifacts without leaving the country.

Replica of the Rosetta Stone
Replica of the Rosetta Stone

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Parliament House New South Wales

Parliament of New South Wales

Parliament House New South Wales

Completed in 1816 Parliament House in Sydney houses the Government of the state of New South Wales Australia. Originally a hospital, the central section of the façade is a two story Georgian building. When built, no funds were available to Governor Macquarie so he arranged funding via the importation of 60,000 gallons of rum licensed to a group of merchants. In return for the license, they built the hospital.

From 1829, the Legislature occupied the building, which had primarily been used as the residence of the chief surgeon. As the size of the colony of New South Wales expanded, so did the number of parliamentary representatives. As a result, north and south extensions were made for the old Legislative Council (now Legislative Assembly) Chamber in 1843 and the current Legislative Council Chamber in 1856.

Since then numerous additions and modifications have been made to the building. Despite many plans over the years, it remains one of the least grand parliament buildings in Australia, primarily due to its original design as a hospital.

Getting There

Situated in the centre of the Sydney CBD means that getting to Parliament House is quite easy. Several buses stop nearby in Macquarie Street, while the closest station is Martin Place.

We visited during Sydney is Open so access to otherwise closed areas was available. In addition, volunteers were stationed throughout the building answering questions and providing invites into the workings of State Government.

Parliament House New South Wales
Parliament of New South Wales
Waiting room with busts of past parliamentarians Parliament House New South Wales
Waiting room with busts of past parliamentarians
Marble staircase
Marble staircase

Legislative Assembly

Being modelled on the British Westminster System, the Legislative Assembly is the lower house of government and corresponds to the House of Commons, (or the Australian Federal Government House of Representatives). As such, the colour of the carpet and seats is green.

This chamber of parliament debates legislation before it is sent to the Legislative Council and then the Governor for approval. The Governor is the British Monarch’s representative and is appointed by the NSW Parliament.

Legislative Assembly Parliament House New South Wales
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly
The mace of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales
The mace of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales

Legislative Council

The upper house of the NSW Parliament is the Legislative Council, whose primary colour is red, following the tradition of the British House of Lords.

Legislation passed by the lower house is debated here and either retired to the Legislative Assembly or forwarded to the NSW Governor if approved.

Legislative Council Parliament House New South Wales
Legislative Council
Legislative Council
Legislative Council
Usher of the Black Rod
Usher of the Black Rod

The Library – Now the Jubilee Room

Although now used for meetings and functions, the Jubilee Room holds a significant collection of historical records, along with the only state government archive.

In addition to the amazing collection of books on the shelves, the stained glass ceiling is amazing.

Parliamentary Library
Parliamentary Library
Stain-glass ceiling of the Parliamentary Library
Stain-glass ceiling of the Parliamentary Library

Fountain Courtyard

The Fountain Courtyard is one of the most recent additions to Parliament House, having been added in 1983. Located around the fountain on the surrounding walls is part of the parliamentary art collection as well as temporary displays. A significant portion of the display is by indigenous artists, forming the Reconciliation Wall.

Fountain Court
Fountain Court
Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court
Indiginous Art on Reconciliation Wall in Fountain Court

What Did We Think?

This was a great visit because it was a good way to learn about the history of government in NSW as well as seeing both Chambers of Parliament. If you want to see how our government works, there is no better place to visit.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.