Kings Around Oz: Canberra

Well after leaving Sydney we made our way to Canberra. Here we had some very action packed days as we saw most of the attractions the city had to offer. To start with we went to The Mint and learnt all about the history of how money came about and how Australia changed from pounds and pence to dollars and cents. We learnt how money was made and you could see the factory floor but not much was happening when we were there but Haydan liked watching Titan who was the biggest robot there. We went for a walk around Old Parliament House Gardens the highlight here for the kids was throwing a heap of flower petals in the air and pretending that it was snowing. We went to the National Library where there was a National Treasures Exhibition on and we were able to see things like Captain Cooks Journals and writing table, the original script for Waltzing Matilda and memorabilia on Aeroplane Jelly. There was a section on the Royals, Azariah and Lindy Chamberlin and the architecture of the Sydney Opera House just to name few things that are important to Australian. We also went to the National Museum and saw more about the history and development of Australia. The highlight here was the Kids Zone where they took a photo of you and then you created your own spaceship on a computer and then you go into a 3D movie theatre and watch them fly around. While we were in Canberra Floriade was on which is a big flower festival. We had fun walking around looking at flowers and exhibits but again the kids section was where we spent most of our time. They had a mini reptile park set up and the Greater Western Sydney Football Club had a bouncy castle and ball games set up. Don't worry the kids still like the Eagles better. We spent a morning at Parliament House where you are allowed to just roam around and look at stuff. We did go on the tour and when we were in the House of Reps (the green one) Haydan turned around to us and said 'This is where Julia Gillard lives'. We didn't even know he knew who she was!!!!! It was a very interesting place to see and in what is called the Grand Hall there is a massive tapestry that took 14 people 2 and a half years to complete. Have you ever wondered how big the flag is on top of Parliament House? Well it is 10.6 X 6.8 meters. I tell you though no tax payers money has been spared on this place!!!! We spent quite a bit of time at the War Memorial. This place is amazing. There are so many displays and models and artifacts from all the wars that have taken place. It was just so hard to comprehend what the Men and Women of war went through. Haydan was most impressed with the section on the planes and loved watching the little documentaries on the planes and submarines. Needless to say he loved it when we went to the Kids Discovery section and he got to fly a helicopter and steer a submarine as well as talk on a radio in a bunker, plus heaps more. Laura found her Grandfather's, Brother's name on the Honour Roll and it was a very special time to be there as the Last Post played at the closing ceremony that is held every day at 5pm. On our last day in Canberra we went to Questacon and had fun playing at all the different galleries that focus on a particular science or technology. Haydan had fun at the puppet show about growing flowers but was told by the performer that he should probably have a little less red cordial!!!! (how embarrassing) Emmalisa's favourite part was the water play our only problem was we didn't bring her a spare set of clothes!!! Glen also had a go at the Free Fall which is a 7 meter vertical drop that ends in a slide so that it feels like you free fall for a short time.

We really enjoyed our time in Canberra but it was very cold. One morning we woke to a pleasant -1.7!!!! We even had to get ice off the windscreen before we could drive it. Canberra is one place we have marked on the map as a must come back to place.