The National Museum of Australia - built on Acton Peninsula, the site of the old Canberra Hospital.
View across the lake to Parliament House - flagpole visible above the trees.
Black Mountain and Tower.
I'm sure this seagull was enjoying the scenery, too.
View towards the city.
Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
Windswept trees along the lake's shoreline.
This plaque is built on the site of several sporting facilities that were submerged when the Molonglo River was dammed in the late 1960s to form Lake Burley Griffin. These facilities included the racecourse, hockey fields and golf course. Also lost forever beneath the waters of the lake were several farms, many homes and the Springbank Dairy.
Nearby Springbank Island, site of the lost dairy.
On a sad note, I will remember Steve Irwin every time I see the museum from now on as we were having lunch there at the time that he passed away. A great loss to Australia, and the world.
I’m sure your visit to Cook’s Museum was most interesting Alice. I remember a few years ago visiting his Birthplace Museum in Middlesborough. It is a purpose built museum, as the cottage where he was born, no longer exists, however, it was close by and is marked with a granite urn. They have reconstructed the inside of the cottage inside the Museum. I think this type of museum makes learning so much more interesting and fun for children these days.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad news about Steve Irwin and the way he died. He seemed such an infallible man.
Your pictures are great, you capture such great expanses in you photographs, it makes me think how vast your country is compared with our.
I hadn't realised that the museum was built on that old hospital site. Isn't that the one that they detonated to collapse in on itself but a young girl watching from the opposite shore was tragically killed by stray flying concrete? Some people, as in the case of Steve Irwin, are touched dramatically by the hand of fate.
ReplyDeleteThe man-made lake must've caused quite a controversy when it was first proposed. It must've been rather sad for the Springbank Dairy, other farms and homes that lost their land to the lake. A hard change to get used to.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's a beautiful lake, and as Marion said, there seems to be so much space. I hope they found happy solutions.
It sure looks like a peaceful place.
Ross would love that museum. I'd like it too, but probably at a faster pace than him :) In museums he's a bit like Richard is with seeds and trees :)
Your photos are beautiful and very tranquil.
Such a tragedy to lose Steve Irwin like that. I feel so sad for his family.
We visited Canberra, 18mnths ago and enjoyed our visit so much, we tried to fit alot in,but know we missed heaps, your photos, show us more of this beautiful place and its story, Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteYes, Val - about where you see the pink flowering trees in the second photo is where Katie Bender and her family were standing to watch the implosion of the hospital. Some 10,000 people turned out to watch the implosion, encouraged by the then Chief Minister. The implosion went horribly wrong and people, although on the other side of the lake, were showered with shrapnel and bits of debris, one piece killing 12 year old Katie instantly.
ReplyDeleteWe were so angry about the closure of the hospital that there was no way that we were going to go and watch them blow it up.
There is now a memorial in Lennox Gardens for Katie.
I remember going through Canberra some years ago on our way to Melbourne. I remember the city being so beautifully tree lined and floral. I also went when I was a wee thing with Mum (Gail) and Dad... I remember looking for our families names on the walls.
ReplyDeleteMuch love, Nicole xox.
Love the wind swept trees. Also agree with you on the sad news about Steve Irwin. Perhaps my Sis will remember that she was over here in Scotland when we heard the news too.
ReplyDeleteBests,
Hello Alice,
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! I've just recently discovered your blog and enjoying it a lot. I've never been to Australia so it's wonderful to see it through your eyes.
Very sad news about Steve Irwin's tragic death. And I agree with you - a great loss to Australia, and the world
I've recommended your blog for BlogDay - a little bit late since it was August 31st! - but I thought you'd like to know.
Kind Regards,
Maureen
I enjoyed seeing the pictures of your visit to the museum and also the spring flowering trees from you previous post. It's nice that we are going to enjoy your spring & summer months as we are sliding into fall & winter...a very bare & bleak time of year except for an occasional beautiful snow.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your flower gardens once again.
Thanks for sharing all those pics with us.
You know, Canberra sure has changed since I was last there. I don't remember it being quite so beautiful. Might be time to pay it another visit.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend.
Take care, Meow
Dear Alice, O! how I wish my hubby's mum could see your beautiful photos of her home town.
ReplyDeleteWe have been with her most of the weekend as we are not sure why but she has been very upset with other family and needed to just sit with us awhile and have a little cry.
I know the blue sky over Canberra would cheer her up very much.
Thank you too for the lovely comments you left about my humble little home.
(HUGS) to you Alice.
Lee-ann
aah... beautiful Canberra. The only memory I had of Canberra when I was young is that it was so COLD... but late in the 1980s my then husband's sister moved to live in Canberra, so over the next few years we visited often and got to see quite a lot, mostly when driving around in circles lost (I am sure you will know what I mean).
ReplyDeleteAnother sister was very involved with the annual music hall production and that was an event not to be missed.
Thank you again for the lovely pictures, they bring everything to life...
You've captured some excellent shots of Canberra Alice. The tourist bureau will love you. It is sad about Steve Irwin, he was so popular with young and old alike. It is true it was one of those times in life where you remember where you were when you heard the news. Do you notice a big difference in Canberra when parliament's not sitting? Enjoy the spring.
ReplyDelete