Page 202 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

200  NE W SOUTH W ALES AND A C T

Exploring the Parliamentary Triangle Duntroon Station, for their
head ploughman. It was later
Canberra, with its still lake and impressive national monuments occupied by bullock driver
and institutions, can at first glance appear cold and somewhat George Blundell, his wife, Flora,
forbidding to visitors. But venture inside the various buildings and their eight children.
dotted around Lake Burley Griffin within the Parliamentary This excellent example of a
Triangle, and a treasure trove of architecture, art, history and colonial cottage conveys the
remoteness of early farming life.
politics will be revealed. The lake itself, surrounded by gardens, The cottage once looked out
cycle paths and outdoor sculptures and memorials, is a over sheep paddocks, but these
picturesque location for relaxing picnics and leisurely strolls. were flooded by Lake Burley
Exploring the entire Parliamentary Triangle can take one or two Griffin (see pp198–9).
days. It is, however, more easily tackled by dividing it into two E National Capital
parts, taking in first the north and then the south of the lake.
Exhibition
Commonwealth Park. Tel (02) 6272
E Museum of Hall, the old House of Repre­ 2902. Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri,
Australian Democracy sentatives and Senate chambers, 10am–4pm Sat & Sun. Closed 25
King George Terrace, Parkes. and see the peephole in the Dec–2 Jan and public hols (except
Tel (02) 6270 8222. Open 9am–5pm wall of the prime minister’s Australia Day). 7 = -
daily. Closed 25 Dec. & 7 8 - office, discovered during ∑ natcap.gov.au
∑ moadoph.gov.au reno vations. The National The rotunda housing the
Built in 1927 as the first Portrait Gallery’s main collection National Capital Exhibition, north
parliamentary building in the is also held in the museum. of Lake Burley Griffin at Regatta
new national capital, Old Point, is recommended as a
Parliament House was the starting point for any tour of
centre of Australian politics for Canberra. Inside are models,
more than 60 years. It was videos and old photographs
replaced by the new Parliament showing the history and growth
House in 1988 (see pp202–3). of Canberra as the federal capital
This building has witnessed of Australia. These provide a
many historic moments: good orientation of the city.
Australia’s declaration of war From the windows of the
in 1939; news of the bombing rotunda is a clear view of Lake
of Australia’s northern shores Burley Griffin, the Parliamentary
by the Japanese in 1942; the Triangle and the Captain Cook
disappearance and presumed Blundells Cottage Memorial Jet and Globe and
drowning of Prime Minister the National Carillon. The jet
Harold Holt in 1967 and the P Blundells Cottage fountain and bronze, copper
dismissal of the Whitlam Wendouree Drive, Parkes. and enamel globe on the edge
government by Sir John Kerr Tel (02) 6272 2902. Open 10–11:30am, of the lake were part of the 1970
in 1975 (see pp62–3). noon–4pm Sat. Closed 25 Dec. & bicentennial commemoration
Today the building is home ∑ natcap.gov.au of the claiming of the east coast
to the Museum of Australian This small sandstone farmhouse of Australia by British navy
Democracy, which includes was built in 1858 by the officer Captain James Cook in
several historical exhibitions. Campbell family, owners of a 1770 (see p54). The elegant
Visitors can explore the Kings large farming property at fountain lifts a column of water

Neo-Classical façade of the Museum of Australian Democracy and its impressive forecourt