Canberra Visit (1)

Lake Burley Griffin and National Carillion

This post features photos taken on a visit to Australia's capital Canberra (280km south-west of Sydney) in the Australian Capital Territory. The site was selected for a planned city, as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne.
In 2013, Canberra celebrates 100 years since Lady Denman, wife of then Governor-General Lord Denman, stood upon the newly laid Foundation Stones and announced that the name of the new Australian capital would be Canberra.

High Court of Australia, Courtroom 1, (left) is used on all ceremonial occasions and for all Full Bench sittings. The bench is made of Western Australian jarrah with red tulip oak from Queensland and NSW used for the rest of the furniture and wall panelling.


 The Public Hall below features a mural designed by Jan Senbergs which reflects the history, function and aspiration of the High Court.

 

High Court of Australia, Public Hall

The High Court Building is on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The Public Hall (above) has a 24-metre high ceiling supported by two large pillars.







       
                  Transport to Canberra                          Information - Visiting Canberra

We found a reasonably priced Guesthouse style accommodation about 15 minutes bus ride from the City. It was not listed in the online accommodation booking sites.

 

Charles Darwin Walk - Wentworth Falls

This Blue Mountains walk which starts at Wilson Park at Wentworth Falls, is named after Charles Darwin who visited the area in 1836. The 2.8Km walk follows Jamison creek almost to the top of Wentworth Falls where there are great views of the falls and the National Park. The walk was reopened after the replacement of some of the timber board walk and three foot bridges due to flood damage last year.

Coreopsis

Weeds are a problem in the upper reaches of the creek. Coreopsis (above) is an attractive perennial yellow daisy from USA. Seeds are washed down watercourses and invade open sunny areas crowding out native plants such as those below. 

 

 Blue Dampiera (Dampiera stricta) shown above, have unusual ‘diamond shape’ leaves. The 'Trigger plant' (Stylidium sp.) left, has a trigger which transfers pollen to insects that lands on the flower.

The walk is also popular with  locals

Jamison Creek, Wentworth Falls

 Location map

Another Wentworth Falls walk.

Transport details
Wentworth Falls is about 1hr 50minutes from Central by CityRail Intercity train. 
It may be possible to catch a Route 685 bus back to the station after the walk, by walking up Falls Rd to a bus stop past Fletcher St. See Upper Mts bus timetable (Use 'Valley of the Waters' stop times as a guide)

More information about this walk at WildWalks

Parramatta River at Parramatta

Barry Wilde Bridge, Parramatta

These three bridges near the city's centre, cross a short stretch of the Parramatta River above the Charles Street weir, 19Km upstream from Port Jackson.

The bridge in the photo above was named after a former mayor and state politician. The pathway in the foreground is part of the 'Riverside Walk' which leads from the ferry wharf  to the 'Heritage Centre' next to Lennox bridge. Through art and interpretive signs it tells the aboriginal history of the area.

The Elizabeth Street footbridge is an award winning cycle and foot bridge which features an interesting public artwork .

'Wake' by Greg Stonehouse and Susan Milne was inspired by "the gliding movement of oars" and the "flight of birds".


                 

      Lennox bridge (below) was designed by the colony's first Superintendent of Bridges, David Lennox.

It has since been modified but was originally completed in 1839.

Lennox Bridge, Parramatta

                                            See also my 'RiverCat' and 'Parramatta Park' posts     

 

  Location map              Additional photo of footbridge

Lawson to Hazelbrook Bushwalk

    These photos were taken on a walk in the mid Blue Mountains starting at Honour Ave. Lawson. The walk combined the popular South Lawson waterfalls circuit with the Terrace Falls walk to finish at Hazelbrook station.

 Location map

Terrace Falls, Hazelbrook

 

Reference books that cover walks in this area include a book by Robert Sloss, another by Veechi Stuart & one published by the National Parks Association:  'Bushwalks in the Sydney Region' Vol 2