May 6th: Visiting Time in Canberra

Day 33 (Day 8 in Australia)

This was our only full day in Australia’s capital city and the plan was to see three of its most popular tourist attractions. When I woke up, though, I was prepared to temper our ambitions depending on how Julie was feeling. 

As it happened, she had a good night and, combined with our shared attitude of refusing to be ill, we set off into the sunshine, albeit with a slightly chilly breeze. We easily made it to all 3 on our bucket list plus a bonus attraction!

First was the Australian War Memorial. Several people had said we should visit it but I couldn’t see why. I had expected a simple Cenotaph type thing but I couldn’t have been more wrong. (Note: I didn’t take any photos inside. It didn’t seem right).

Clearly some dignitaries visiting when we arrived

It is VAST, overwhelming and humbling. As soon as I saw the size I suggested we just skim through it but we kept getting drawn to read the detail at each ‘exhibit’ (is that the right word?). We constantly had to keep reminding ourselves to move on.

It commemorates all those brave Australian and First Nation men & women who gave their lives in all conflicts from the Boer War right up to the most recent events. 

I don’t have the vocabulary to describe it and already I’m guilty of superlative-overdose. I was particularly moved by the sizeable section on every Australian who won the Victory Cross and each of their stories. Brave people. And a lot of them.

If you are ever lucky enough to be in this part of the world do not miss it.

Next on our list was The National Portrait Gallery. I haven’t visited the one in London yet as portraits are not my favourite art form but I was advised to go by several friends. I have to confess we spent less than an hour there but nevertheless there were quite a few good ones. 

I didn’t take any photos there either but these guys were just outside.

A short walk away was Old Parliament House. Formerly known as ‘Provisional Parliament House’ as it was always temporary, it now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. Quite an impressive building. It was always a bit too small and by the time they moved out after 60 years or so it was very cramped.

After a few minutes we looked inside the House of Representatives Chamber and gate-crashed a tour with a wonderful old guy (must have been in his 80s) who had worked there since the ‘60s. He was very welcoming and knowledgable and as a result our visit was greatly enhanced.

House of Representatives Chamber

Senate Chamber

I just liked the sign!

Our Lords would never stay awake in these sofas

View from Old Parliament House to the War Memorial 

Finally, as we had parked in their car park, we realised we still had nearly an hour spare to visit the National Gallery of Australia. The guide in reception explained what there was to see and, based on our tastes, directed us on where to go to cover as much as we could in 50 minutes before closing time. 

My favourites were a large exhibit of works by contemporary Aboriginal artist, Vincent Namatjira. As with any art, its qualities lie in the eye of the beholder. Make your own mind up from the examples below.

A flavour of Vincent Namatjira’s work

To prove a point (or not) they have a Jackson Pollock there. It is huge. My guess is 10’ by 20’. The gallery bought it in the 1970s for AU$1.3 million. It was recently valued, for tax purposes, at AU$500 million. See what you think. Is it upside down?

What do you think? Half a billion dollars?
I wish I hadn’t put my Pollock on eBay now.

There was also an impressive collection of quilts, one of which was made by British convict women being transported in the 1850s.

About 9’ square

They also had a Monet painting and a Degas sculpture that we liked  

We left the gallery just before it closed, all galleried-out, stopping on the way back to our hotel at a steakhouse for, surprise surprise, steak and chips (the first of the holiday!). The first on this holiday.

Cheers!

Off to the Blue Mountains tomorrow. Time to start keeping an eye out for those poisonous snakes and spiders.