Canberra | A Whirlwind Half-Day Tour

Drove from Melbourne to Sydney and made a stop in Canberra—a city often overlooked, built almost artificially to resolve the capital rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne. Took a quick half-day tour to see what it’s all about! 📍 Parliament House The heart of Australian federal government, housing the offices of the Prime Minister, ministers, and both Houses of Parliament. The architecture is strikingly symmetrical—extremely photogenic! 📸 Only parts of the ground floor, first floor, and roof are open to the public. 📍 Old Parliament House Now the Museum of Australian Democracy since the government moved to the new building. Exhibits cover political history, Indigenous movements, and more—great for history buffs. We only had time for a quick photo outside. Unfortunately, it was under renovation, so scaffolding was everywhere 🏗️… not the best for photos. 📍 National Gallery of Australia Went mainly to see James Turrell’s "Within Without" skyspace… but it was closed for maintenance until late this year or even next 🥲 📍 National Carillon A gift from the UK in 1970 for Australia’s 50th anniversary of federation—57 bronze bells standing gracefully by the lake. Viewed it across the water in the early morning mist… truly magical ✨ 📍 Australian War Memorial A moving tribute to Australian soldiers who served and died in wars since WWI. Most touching was the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier: "He is all of them and he is one of us." ❤️🥹 📍 Mount Ainslie Lookout The best spot to admire Canberra’s geometric layout! Perfectly aligned along the central axis: the War Memorial, Old Parliament House, and New Parliament House. A satisfying view for all the J-types out there 😌🧭 🍽️ Dockside Cafe Kingston Had lakeside brunch—decent food, but service was slow due to crowds. ⭐ Highly recommend the Taro Latte—rich flavor, perfectly sweet, not overwhelming. 🏨 Hotel Kurrajong Canberra A historic retro-style hotel with great location and photogenic interiors 📸 Many politicians and ministers used to stay here, including former PM Ben Chifley, who lived—and passed away—in Room 205. #TravelSnaps #Canberra #Wanderlust #Australia #TravelDiary