SYD-Canberra and surrounds by car
Apr 8, 2002 | 2:23 pm
#1
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Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Escondido CA USA
Programs: AS, UA, HY, Hil, Merr
Posts: 3,332
SYD-Canberra and surrounds by car
Time to visit the Capital of Australia, yes Canberra, not Sydney.
Rented car at SYD AP 8MAR. Drive to be about 300km or 3hrs15min. It took us 4 hours with a stop at McD for lunch. Good roads with speed limits 60-110kph. Views were nice most of the trip, although somewhat repetitish. We stayed at the Park Hyatt Canberra--see separate report under Hyatt if interested.
If you want to see Canberra and surrounds DO RENT A CAR. All money A. All distances m or k unless otherwise stated. Prices are for adults.
1st full day we spent at the Australian War Memorial. It contains the extensive history of Australians participation in wars since the early 1800's. It took us 5 hours (we had been there for 1 1/2 hours two years before) including 30 minutes for lunch. There is no charge for entry however donations are accepted (not actively requested). They have a research Center and Library that could take additional time if one was so inclined. Areas are arranged by wars (time periods). Larger items, planes, tanks, etc. are kept in a new area. Parking is free. A special discovery area is available for children. Free 1 1/2 hour tours are available.
Another full day was spent at the National Museum of Australia. The one year old facility is a work of art or a nightmare from the outside. You decide. Admission is free, except for the Mars exhibit (A$15). It took us 4 3/4 hours to view the exhibits and we did not do the Mars exhibit. They offer 1+ hour free tours. Opens at 9am. Well worth a visit. 3 cafes to choose from for lunch. One is VERY pricy. Others are normal museum stuff. Nice view of Lake Burley Griffin (named after the designer of Canberra... an American). Well worth the visit.
Another day we went to the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Free enty. Parking $ per hour. Plann 1-2 hrs unless a garden freek. Not much in bloom in March. Lots of Banksias, but passed there prime. A bit of a climb but tolerable in a wheelchair with an able pusher. They have a cafe, bookshop and gift center. Lots of birds too. Rainforest area, orchids in a hothouse... For the really fit, you can walk up a track about 2.7k to Telstra Tower. (We had already been there).
A drive to Gold Creek Village is another day trip. It is off Barton Hwy, Nicholls. The area is quite new with several attractions. If it works to stay the night, there are several new properties for accommodations.
The Dinosaur Museum (www.national dinosaurmuseum.com.au) took us about 1 1/2hrs and costs $9. It is not large, but lost of reading at each exhibit. Seems to still be under development.
The Bird Walk is $7 and no need for binoculars. It is one big netted area. You will be given a bit of fruit to feed the birds. Plan about 45 minutes tops.
Cockington Greens miniatures is the main attraction. $11.50 gets you in. We took 1 1/2 hours. You could spend a little longer. Exhibits are continually being added. Basically, noted buildings from around the world are copied in miniature and laid out including landscaping. You can ride a miniature steam train for $1.50. There is a Garden Cafe, gift shop and lots of plants. We really enjoy our visit.
Yet another day we drove out to Tinbinbilla Nature Reserve. Opens at 9 am. $10 per car. You drive and walk this huge preserve. Several tracks with various distances allow fr an all day stay or the 3 1/2 hours we stayed (could have easily spent 5 hrs). Sections of Wallabys, Kangaroos, Koaloas and waterfowl make up the things to be seen. Claim is 170 bird species. Bring binoculars for this venue. It is a 20-40k of trails, 6k of driving. Bring water or buy some before you start. A camera is also a must. The cafe was not open on our visit. In the same area is Mt Stromlo Observatory and the Deep Space Centre. The route we took to get there was a bit windy but we did see free roaming Emu and Kangaroo. Drive from the Hyatt took about 45 minutes.
The National Zoo and Aquarium was recently purchased by a family. It is undergoing many changes. Much of the Aquarium sections is being converted to reptiles. It is located near Scrivener Dam, 7k from the city. Open 9-5. $15.50. We spent 1 1/2 hours visiting. We normally a slow at zoos, so this means you might spend only 1 hour. They do have some programs pending that could add to your stay...feedings, etc. Lots of construction. Animals included llama, Alpaca, Cougar, Dingo (two captive born. They march them around and you can pet them), Birds (various), Fish (various), Fairy pengiuns, Leopard, Tamarin, Otter, Taz Devil, Wallaby, Ostrich, Eland, Lion, Tiger, Bear, snow leopard, and wombat. Scheduled soon Zebra, Giraffe and Colobus. Very limited food offerings.
National Capital Exhibit. History of the selection, design and building of Canberra...the capital of Australia. Allow 1/2 to 1 hr. 9 minute film. Some interactive (some broken). Along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. A walk along the shores is nice. We did this in a park behind the Hyatt. Modest this and that to see there.
Shell gas was 89 cents/litre. Ate twice at Hog's Breath (chain) on London Circle (Bailey's Arcade). 2 rib eye, potatoe, dalad and draft beer $53. Average plus, relaxed faire.
Other attractions not seen or previously seen: Reptile Center, Testra Tower, Bailway Museum, Parliament House (and old Parliament House), Questracon, Bicycle Musuem, Deep Space Communications Comples, Museum and Art gallery, Casino, Hi Court, Embassey (s), National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, the Mint, ...
We drove back the same way we came. We should have taken the time to drive to the coast and down that way. I was pretty tired and the shorter route gave me a bit more time to recoop for the next leg of our visit Perth and surrounds. This will be posted in a day or two.
Rented car at SYD AP 8MAR. Drive to be about 300km or 3hrs15min. It took us 4 hours with a stop at McD for lunch. Good roads with speed limits 60-110kph. Views were nice most of the trip, although somewhat repetitish. We stayed at the Park Hyatt Canberra--see separate report under Hyatt if interested.
If you want to see Canberra and surrounds DO RENT A CAR. All money A. All distances m or k unless otherwise stated. Prices are for adults.
1st full day we spent at the Australian War Memorial. It contains the extensive history of Australians participation in wars since the early 1800's. It took us 5 hours (we had been there for 1 1/2 hours two years before) including 30 minutes for lunch. There is no charge for entry however donations are accepted (not actively requested). They have a research Center and Library that could take additional time if one was so inclined. Areas are arranged by wars (time periods). Larger items, planes, tanks, etc. are kept in a new area. Parking is free. A special discovery area is available for children. Free 1 1/2 hour tours are available.
Another full day was spent at the National Museum of Australia. The one year old facility is a work of art or a nightmare from the outside. You decide. Admission is free, except for the Mars exhibit (A$15). It took us 4 3/4 hours to view the exhibits and we did not do the Mars exhibit. They offer 1+ hour free tours. Opens at 9am. Well worth a visit. 3 cafes to choose from for lunch. One is VERY pricy. Others are normal museum stuff. Nice view of Lake Burley Griffin (named after the designer of Canberra... an American). Well worth the visit.
Another day we went to the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Free enty. Parking $ per hour. Plann 1-2 hrs unless a garden freek. Not much in bloom in March. Lots of Banksias, but passed there prime. A bit of a climb but tolerable in a wheelchair with an able pusher. They have a cafe, bookshop and gift center. Lots of birds too. Rainforest area, orchids in a hothouse... For the really fit, you can walk up a track about 2.7k to Telstra Tower. (We had already been there).
A drive to Gold Creek Village is another day trip. It is off Barton Hwy, Nicholls. The area is quite new with several attractions. If it works to stay the night, there are several new properties for accommodations.
The Dinosaur Museum (www.national dinosaurmuseum.com.au) took us about 1 1/2hrs and costs $9. It is not large, but lost of reading at each exhibit. Seems to still be under development.
The Bird Walk is $7 and no need for binoculars. It is one big netted area. You will be given a bit of fruit to feed the birds. Plan about 45 minutes tops.
Cockington Greens miniatures is the main attraction. $11.50 gets you in. We took 1 1/2 hours. You could spend a little longer. Exhibits are continually being added. Basically, noted buildings from around the world are copied in miniature and laid out including landscaping. You can ride a miniature steam train for $1.50. There is a Garden Cafe, gift shop and lots of plants. We really enjoy our visit.
Yet another day we drove out to Tinbinbilla Nature Reserve. Opens at 9 am. $10 per car. You drive and walk this huge preserve. Several tracks with various distances allow fr an all day stay or the 3 1/2 hours we stayed (could have easily spent 5 hrs). Sections of Wallabys, Kangaroos, Koaloas and waterfowl make up the things to be seen. Claim is 170 bird species. Bring binoculars for this venue. It is a 20-40k of trails, 6k of driving. Bring water or buy some before you start. A camera is also a must. The cafe was not open on our visit. In the same area is Mt Stromlo Observatory and the Deep Space Centre. The route we took to get there was a bit windy but we did see free roaming Emu and Kangaroo. Drive from the Hyatt took about 45 minutes.
The National Zoo and Aquarium was recently purchased by a family. It is undergoing many changes. Much of the Aquarium sections is being converted to reptiles. It is located near Scrivener Dam, 7k from the city. Open 9-5. $15.50. We spent 1 1/2 hours visiting. We normally a slow at zoos, so this means you might spend only 1 hour. They do have some programs pending that could add to your stay...feedings, etc. Lots of construction. Animals included llama, Alpaca, Cougar, Dingo (two captive born. They march them around and you can pet them), Birds (various), Fish (various), Fairy pengiuns, Leopard, Tamarin, Otter, Taz Devil, Wallaby, Ostrich, Eland, Lion, Tiger, Bear, snow leopard, and wombat. Scheduled soon Zebra, Giraffe and Colobus. Very limited food offerings.
National Capital Exhibit. History of the selection, design and building of Canberra...the capital of Australia. Allow 1/2 to 1 hr. 9 minute film. Some interactive (some broken). Along the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. A walk along the shores is nice. We did this in a park behind the Hyatt. Modest this and that to see there.
Shell gas was 89 cents/litre. Ate twice at Hog's Breath (chain) on London Circle (Bailey's Arcade). 2 rib eye, potatoe, dalad and draft beer $53. Average plus, relaxed faire.
Other attractions not seen or previously seen: Reptile Center, Testra Tower, Bailway Museum, Parliament House (and old Parliament House), Questracon, Bicycle Musuem, Deep Space Communications Comples, Museum and Art gallery, Casino, Hi Court, Embassey (s), National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, the Mint, ...
We drove back the same way we came. We should have taken the time to drive to the coast and down that way. I was pretty tired and the shorter route gave me a bit more time to recoop for the next leg of our visit Perth and surrounds. This will be posted in a day or two.
