Covering many of the plant types found in Australia, the Australian National Botanic Garden in Canberra covers 35 hectares. With paths winding through the garden, you are able to experience many of Australia’s habitats in one place.
Getting There
We drove to the Garden and parked in the carpark there. As with most Canberra attractions, this is a paid parking area, so you need to purchase a ticket at one of the machines. From here we walked to the visitor centre where we got a map before starting on our walk.
What to See
We chose to walk the Main Path track because it covers all of the major areas of the Garden. A staff member suggested that we commence at the lower rainforest boardwalk, as the misting effect was about to start. This was a great suggestion and was the highlight of our visit. As we walked through the ferns of the rainforest, a mist drifted through, cooling us off, as it was a hot day, but overall the area was impressive.
After passing through the rainforest we saw banksias in flower before taking a diversion to the Red Centre and rock garden. While walking we passed several water dragons basking in the sun. They must be used to visitors as they did not run off as quickly as others we have seen. We were lucky to get several good photos of them before they decided to hide.
For those interested in birds, a huge viewing platform, the paperbark tree house is available for use.
We found the path to be an easy walk, with no steep grades. The walk took us around 45 minutes with plenty of stops for phots and to look at the plants. A great place to visit, especially the rainforest section.
Rainforest GullyCassowary statueFerns in the Rainforest GullyMist Spray in the Rainforest GullyMist Spray in the Rainforest GullyIn the Misty the Rainforest GullyRainforest GullyBanksia in flowerPaperbark Treehouse for birdwatchingBanksia GardenWater dragonWater dragon
Situated in Deakin, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, The Royal Australian Mint makes all of Australia’s coins as well as some for international customers.
Parking
The Mint has its own visitor carpark, so parking isn’t an issue. Well sign posted, the building is also easy to find.
What’s There
On entry, you are greeted with a display of $1 coins spilling from a bucket (inside a class box, so no free samples!). If you have any questions, an information booth with a staff member will help.
All of the main displays are on the second level. Climbing the stairs, look at the faces of each step because they are filled with five-cent coins.
At the top, look up to see replica coins hanging from the ceiling.
The coins display takes you through the history of coins in Australia, starting at colonial times, through to the present. The transition to decimal currency is particularly well covered, showing the design process and many of the designs considered before settling on the ones we know.
Walking past the displays, you can view the working area of the mint through large windows. On a work day this area is bustling with activity, but we were there on a weekend so it was quiet. At the far end, you can sit on a stack of giant coins and watch the factory floor.
Gift Shop and Café
Located on the ground floor, the gift shop has everything about coins for sale. If you like to collect or invest in coins, you can buy collections of the current coins in circulation, or a set of gold coins to invest in.
Next to the gift shop The Mint Café sells food and drinks to refuel before or after your visit.
What Did We Think?
We were not sure what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised as to how good it was. The excellent display of coins and the history of decimal currency was very interesting and easy to follow. Visiting on a working day would be better so that you see the factory working.
Royal Australian MintAustralian Coat of ArmsA bucket of $1 coinsStairs with coins in the faceConcept and final (bottom) designs for Australia’s decimal coinsGold coinsCommonwealth Games Silver CoinsSydney 2000 Olympic medalsStools made of giant coinsCoins hung from the ceilingThe factory floor
Canberra’s most popular attraction, the Australian War Memorial is an outstanding tribute to the men and women who have served in the Australian Defence Forces since federation. Access to some galleries is currently limited (2022) because the Memorial is undertaking a major renovation. During this period some exhibits are in storage. However, there is still a lot to see here, and a visit is highly recommended.
Outside and the Sculpture Garden
We arrived before opening time, so took the opportunity to look around the Sculpture Garden. There are two distinct areas. a grassed area with memorials and an area closer to the buildings with large military equipment on display.
Armoured vehicles used by the Australian Army on display include a Centurion tank from the Vietnam War, a Bushmaster and LAV armoured personnel carrier. Captured German guns from World War One are nearby.
Not far from here the old bridge of HMAS Brisbane is visible, along with its deck gun. The bridge can be accessed inside the memorial, where you can walk around the interior.
The sculpture garden has memorials to all branches of the Australian Defence Force from most conflicts. There are even memorials to the animals used by the armed forces. One is a memorial to all animals, having hoof and paw prints while another memorialises explosive detection dogs. Located near Poppies Restaurant this last one was our favourite.
LAV-25 Light Armoured VehicleCenturion Tank“Lest we Forget” Memorial originally from Camp Russell in AfghanistanAustralian Merchant Seaman Memorial “Survivors”Animals in War Memorial. with hoof and paw prints“Australian Serviceman” Bomber Command Memorial dedicated to Australian who flew in RAF Bomber Command during WW2Bronze sculpture “War”“Elevation of the senses” Explosives detection dogSir Edward “Weary” Dunlop
Shrine of Remembrance
Central to the whole memorial is the Shrine of Remembrance containing the eternal flame and tomb of the unknown soldier. The cloisters leading to the shrine contain panels engraved with the names of all those who have died fighting for Australia. This is a very sombre area, especially when you realise how many names are there. During our visit many had poppy flowers pinned to them.
Inside the shrine, beautiful stain glass windows represent the fallen, while the eternal flame burns in the pool of reflection.
The Shrine of RemembranceStain glass window in the Shrine of RemembranceOne of the Walls of Remembrance covered in poppies
Inside Australian War Memorial
World War One
From Gallipoli, the North African Desert and the Western Front, the displays here cover them all. A landing boat from the Gallipoli Campaign still filled with bullet holes greets you on entry, highlighting the dangers they faced.
Along with weapons and uniforms, dioramas bring the battlefields to life, showing what they looked like.
Landing boat from the Gallipoli CampaignBritish 4.5 inch howitzerWorld War One trench warfare dioramaDiorama of fighting at GallipoliWorld War 1 AIF Uniform
World War Two
Australians fought in many theatres of the Second World War, each of which is represented here. From Bomber command, where flight crews manned several bomber squadrons, to North Africa, the Atlantic and Pacific.
Captured German and Italian equipment, including a German BMW sidecar and an Italian tankette are on display here. Unfortunately, the larger displays such as the Lancaster bomber and Japanese mini-submarine that attacked Sydney Harbour are currently in storage. However, a Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighter is there, hanging from the ceiling.
BMW R12 750cc motorcycle and sidecarL.3/33 Italian tankette captured in North AfricaMitsubishi A6M “Zero”Hawker Sea Fury
The Hall of Valour
Displayed in the Hall of Valour, the medals of many Australians tell a story of their bravery. Accompanied by a story and photo, each set shows what the servicemen endured and accomplished. Many of the Victoria Cross (Australia’s highest military award) recipients have their medals here. Many of these were donated by families wishing to have their deeds remembered.
The medals of Warrant Officer Class II Keith Payne
Conflicts 1945 to the Present
These galleries are only open at limited time, which unfortunately did not match our time in Canberra, Having seen some of them before, they are worth visiting if you are there at opening times.
What Did We Think?
Visiting here is a very moving and sombre experience. The Memorial shows the human side of war and how it affects both combatants and civilians. The human toll of war is emphasised rather than glorifying warfare. An amazing experience and rightfully the number one attraction in Canberra.
For other places to visit in the Australian Capital Territory click here
