From the moment Walter Burley Griffin won the rights to design the political city of the future back in 1912, not a building, street or single tree was put in place to look anything but spectacular.This is apparent from ground level, but the only way to view this bush capital and its aesthetic layout is as the birds see it …, from above. The options were simple, an 'early' hot air balloon ride or jump a helicopter any time of the day, seeing as though I'd slept in, I went with the helicopter and was glad I did. In order to get some great shots the doors had been taken away, my initial apprehension of falling were quickly forgotten as I found myself actually leaning out to take postcard shots. I lost track of time as we flew in low past Telstra Tower, over Parliament House, War Memorial and back to base. Wow! What a rush!
While Canberra boasts the prestigious title of being our 'National Capital' it's not just another town full of public servants. This chunk of land hidden in the lower corner of NSW and stamped ACT on the map is a definite destination on the list of must-do holidays, especially if you've got the kids in tow. "Family holiday in Canberra? Are you crazy?" My friends all questioned, knowing perfectly well the answer to that.
Canberra is the domain for the big guns of Australian politics, so expect to find a well-manicured city. Here magnificent monuments adorn wide avenues and architecturally-designed masterpieces of power are on display in the forms of the National Art Gallery, Parliament House, High Court and the selection of origin-based embassies.
While the country is literally being run within these very walls, I say, let 'em work and we'll find the fun. And first stop are the dinosaurs. Yep, if you're into all things Jurassic, head to the National Dinosaur Museum. This modest collection of dinosaur paraphernalia happens to be one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Leave the car parked where it is, for directly across the road is another family favourite, Cockington Green. Here you can view it all from a giant's vantage point as you wander the miniature, yet intricate world. And I must say I deserve points for being a good girl, for seriously all I wanted to do was my own rendition of Godzilla, but I'm sure everyone wants to do that in miniature villages … right?
No matter what age, everyone seems to enjoy a good view and Telstra Tower offers a re-energising coffee stop while offering spectacular views of Canberra and the impressive mountains beyond. In the same neighbourhood you'll find the National Zoo and Aquarium, realistically resembling their natural habitats, the enclosures give ample opportunity for the wildlife to hide within. "Perhaps a little too good", I mumble, as we were yet to find the wolves or brown bear.
On a blue-sky day the foreshore of Lake Burley Griffin is one of those places that makes you wished you'd packed the bikes. But why pack them when you can hire them? And why ride pushbikes in the middle of winter? I ask myself as the boys disappear around the bend, their little legs pumping while calling for Mum to catch up! Though the ride is absolutely freezing it's well worth the effort, for this lake offers more than sheer reflections, it has landmarks as well. Shooting a huge spray of water 147 metres high, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet is a well-known Canberra icon, for no good postcard is without a snap of it.
As we cycle past Aspen Island the bells begin to ring, that's what you get for cycling in the middle of a Canberra winter I reprimand myself. I stop for a breather and thankfully realise the bells aren't chiming in my head, as I flop exhausted upon the grass, recitals of musical brilliance echo angelically, proving the National Carillon, with its 53 bronze bells, is truly a striking landmark ..., oops, pardon the pun.
With the sun disappearing behind the Brindabella Ranges and the temperature dropping further, we hand in the bikes and head for Questacon. Offering six galleries with more than 200 completely interactive exhibits all designed to entertain and educate, I decide to make myself comfortable, 'cause I know the kids won't want to be leaving here in a hurry.
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