Destination's Journey

Tag: travel

  • 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.

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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
  • Lennox Gardens Canberra

    Lennox Gardens Canberra

    Lennox Gardens Canberra

    Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Lennox Gardens in the Australian capital Canberra has several distinct areas gifted to Australia by foreign governments. Additionally it contains several memorials while being a beautiful place to relax.

    Nara Peace Park

    Gifted to the people of Canberra by the Japanese city of Nara, this small garden contains many traditional elements particularly the large number of decorative trees. Throughout the park, are two stone lanterns and other sculptures.

    The tranquility of the garden is wonderful and a great place to wander through.

    Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese Gardens
    Traditional wooden gate entrance to the Japanese Gardens
    Japanese Garden Lennox Gardens Canberra
    Kasuga lantern in the Canberra Nara Peace Park
    Kasuga lantern in the Canberra Nara Peace Park

    Beijing Garden

    The Canberra Beijing Garden was a gift from the Beijing Municipal Council. Designed in the style of the Qing Dynasty it has a traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors while meandering paths lead past sculptures and a pavilion.

    Traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors to the Canberra Beijing Garden Lennox Gardens Canberra
    Traditional Chinese gate to welcome visitors to the Canberra Beijing Garden
    Reverse side of the Chinese gate
    Reverse side of the Chinese gate
    Chinese Pavilion Lennox Gardens Canberra
    Replica statue of the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow
    Replica statue of the Bronze Galloping Horse Treading on a Flying Swallow
    Lennox Gardens Canberra
    Azure Dragon representing east and spring
    Azure Dragon representing east and spring

    JNF Israel Garden

    Memorial to the Centenary of Australia and the Centenary of the Jewish National Fund
    Memorial to the Centenary of Australia and the Centenary of the Jewish National Fund

    Spanish Civil War Memorial

    This is a small memorial to Australians who fought in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 139.

    Spanish Civil War Memorial Lennox Gardens Canberra
    Spanish Civil War Memorial

    Canberra Rotary Peace Bell

    The Rotary Club of Canberra undertook a fund raising exercise to install a peace bell within the Nara Peace Park precinct. This was done in partnership with the World Peace Bell Association.

    The Canberra Rotary Peace Bell
    The Canberra Rotary Peace Bell

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