Destination's Journey

Tag: museum

  • 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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  • Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    Discover Ancient Egypt in Canberra

    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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  • Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    Sub Base Platypus Sydney

    Sub Base Platypus is a unique site located in Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia. The site has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s when it was originally used as a gasworks site. In the early 1960s, the site was acquired by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and used as a submarine base until it was decommissioned in the 1990s. During this time, the bas was home to the six Oberon class submarines operated by the RAN.

    Not only were the submarines themselves based here, but a torpedo factory, maintenance facilities and a school for submariners provided a complete support structure for them.

    Although long retired, several of the Oberons still exist as museum displays. HMS Onslow is close by in Sydney at the National Maritime Museum, while HMS Otway sits in Holbrook.

    Getting There

    We chose to take public transport because parking in the area is limited. A small carpark on Kiara Close provides somewhere to park if you drive. When we visited, this area was being extended, so perhaps in the future more space will be available.

    The closest train station is Milsons Point, so we got off there and walked for only 10 minutes to get to the old submarine base. On the way we passed plenty of cafes and eateries, so grabbing a snack or drink is not a problem.

    We entered via an alleyway off High Street, but access is available from Kesterton Park, which has a walkway over the water and an interesting entrance sign. We exited this way, so got to see both. Future plans will have a more official entrance off High Street.

    What you will Find at the Base

    Today, Sub Base Platypus has been redeveloped and transformed into a public space for the community to enjoy. The site includes a range of facilities and features, including a playground, public spaces, and a memorial to submariners who lost their lives in service to Australia.

    The playground is a popular attraction for families, with a range of equipment and play areas designed for children of all ages. The playground has been designed to reflect the history of the site, with play structures shaped like torpedoes and submarines. Stepping stones running through the gardens are labeled with the phonetic alphabet (alpha, bravo, Charlie etc.).

    In addition to the playground, Sub Base Platypus is also home to the Submariners Memorial, which honors those who served on the Oberon class submarines, particularly the three men who lost their lives while serving. The memorial includes HMAS Oxley’s anchor and the names of the submarines on the steps.

    Although currently closed, the old workshops and torpedo factory are, planned to re-open in the future. On High Street, a series of information boards show large photos of operations in these buildings.

    Future Developments

    Looking ahead, there are plans to further develop Sub Base Platypus into a cultural precinct that celebrates the site’s rich history and promotes community engagement. The development plans include a range of facilities, including a museum, art galleries, and performance spaces.

    What Did We Think?

    Overall, Sub Base Platypus is an important and unique site that has been transformed into a valuable community asset. Its history as a submarine base and gasworks site is honored through its public spaces and features, making it a significant and memorable part of Sydney’s cultural landscape.

    Entrance from High Street
    Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
    Lift and stairs to the to of the cliff
    Submarine School and workshop buildings Sub Base Platypus
    Submarine School and workshop buildings
    The gas works Retort House
    The gas works Retort House
    Submariner's Memorial
    Submariner’s Memorial
    Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
    Steps with the names of the six Oberon class submarines operated by Australia
    Wharf Sub Base Platypus
    Wharf
    Submarine themed playground
    Submarine themed playground
    Phonetic alphabet stepping stones Sub Base Platypus
    Phonetic alphabet stepping stones
    View over one of the public spaces Sub Base Platypus
    View over one of the public spaces
    Old administration building built into the cliff wall
    Old administration building built into the cliff wall
    View looking over the northern part of Sub Base Platypus
    View looking over the northern part of the base
    View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left Sub Base Platypus
    View over the workshops with the upper walkway on the left
    Entrance from Kesterton Park Sub Base Platypus
    Entrance from Kesterton Park
    Torpedo Factory under construction
    Torpedo Factory under construction
    Torpedo maintenance
    Torpedo maintenance
    Information board showing the old torpedo factory
    Information board showing the old torpedo factory