Located on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia houses the most valuable art collection in the country. Limited parking is available onsite, but we chose to park at Questacon, where a large carpark is available. This also means that you are close to other attractions in the area without needing to move your car.
Entry to the gallery is free, but you will need to get an entry ticket from the front counter. However, some special exhibitions may have an entry fees. If you have bags or coats you don’t want to carry around with you, self storage lockers are available free of charge.
The collection comprises over 155,000 works of art, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. With artwork from around the world, there is something here for everyone.
We enjoyed walking through the galleries, particularly the unique Indigenous section.
Aboriginal Message SticksTrucaninny, the last full-blood Tasmanian aboriginalGerman and Hungarian Silver and CrystalSacred Frog by YirawalaGija Country by Queenie McKenzieIndigenous Aboriginal Art on woodBlue Poles
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“Wide Brown Land” sign. From the Dorothea Mackellar poem
Devastating bushfires in 2001 and 2003, burnt huge areas around Canberra. A recovery project to heal some of the damage included The National Arboretum, which now covers 250 hectares(618 acres in the old measurement). Although very much in its infancy, with plantings still taking pace, it’s a great place to visit.
The trees selected for inclusion are either of national significance, or endangered. Not only Australian trees, but species from overseas, such as the giant sequoia are included, although these are still saplings. One species in particular caught our attention – the Wollemi Pine which, up until 1994 was only known from fossils. A small stand was discovered in the Wollemi National Park and extensive efforts have ensured its survival. A planting of seedlings at the arboretum is part of that effort.
A large carpark caters to a large number of visitors. However, parking is not free and you pay for a ticket at the machines in the carpark. On arrival, our first stop was the information desk, where we received a map and some ideas of what to see. Within this same area is a café and restaurant where you can look over the trees while you eat.
Main Entrance
National Bonsai and Penjing Collection
Located next to the entrance is the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection containing over 100 miniature trees. The quality of the collection and the time that must have been spent growing them is amazing. We walked around admiring the collection and taking photos.
BonsaiJapanese Red Pine BonsaiBonsai
The Discovery Garden
Situated next to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the Discovery Garden explains how to maintain a garden in Canberra’s dry climate.
Cactus
Margaret Whitlam Pavilion
Overlooking the National Arboretum, the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion offers magnificent views over Canberra. Because it’s only open for functions, we were only able to view it from the outside.
Margaret Whitlam Pavilion
Himalayan Cedar Forest
One of the few areas to avoid devastation in the 2001 and 2003 bushfires was the Himalayan Cedar forest. Originally planted from 1911 to 1930 it has since been extended with additional plantings in 2010. Walking through the mature trees is a relaxing experience, giving an idea of how the remainder of the Arboretum will look as it grows.
Hidden away in the trees just off the path is a metal sculpture of a tree stump.
Himalayan cedar forestHimalayan Cedar SaplingTree stump sculpture
Forests and Trees
Tree plantings from Dairy Farmers Hill LookoutView over part of the National ArboretumTree plantingsSpace for future tree plantingsBending over backwardsEagle nest sculpture
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The dog line was established to prevent prisoners escaping the Port Arthur penal site. The narrowest point on Eaglehawk Neck was chosen and dogs were spaced here held in place by chains.
The only indication that the dogs were here is a life sizes bronze sculpture. The dog certainly looks vicious, baring its teeth while looking huge.
Parking is not obvious with the sign only visible as you are leaving the peninsula. In this case you make a right turn into the old officer’s quarters where a community hall now stands.
This was a quick but fun visit to see a remnant of the past. Including the walk from the car park we only stayed about ten minutes.
