Visit the National Museum of Australia, Canberra

Today I took 3 of the KTNTM (kids too numerous to mention) to the National Museum of Australia, Canberra. 

After spending an extra ten minutes or so driving around ANU and trying to find the Museum (not actually part of the University but accessible from it) we found it on a peninsula on Lake Burley Griffin's northern shores.

The Museum, also known as Canberra's 'rollercoaster', has a striking, colourful and fun exterior.  On the inside it is made up of large, light-filled atriums.  It looks huge, but its collection can be traversed in an hour or two.

The kids enjoyed the entry foyer which was based on a transport theme, including steam engine, old coach, model train collection, aeroplane, tinker's trailer, malvern star bicycle, vintage Holden etc.

Other collections include Australian animals, Australian popular culture, white Australian history, Australian industry and farming, Aboriginals, and Torres Strait Islanders. 

In K-Space, kids can design their own futuristic homes and vehicles then watch the resulting 3D movie, with their photos included.  The take away message is that our choices will affect our history.

There is an outdoor area that kids like to explore, featuring tunnels, waterways and sculptural aspects.

All in all, we had a nice time as the museum kept the kids interested.  The first time I visited the museum I didn't think it had a lot for me, and seemed geared towards people with little knowledge of Australian history.  Still, the exhibits are bound to contain something new for everyone.  And frankly I will never tire of looking at the stuffed platypus and thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) skeleton, or putting my kids in the convict leg-irons. 

As a bonus we also bought some historical kids stories in chapter books reduced to $1 each at the museum shop.

National Museum of Australia website

Visit Lake Ginninderra, Western Shores

When the KTNTM (kids too numerous to mention) want to go for a swim, and we can't afford to go to an indoor pool, Lake Ginnindera's beaches beckon.

Situated at the foot of the Belconnen Mall, Lake Ginninderra is a popular place to visit for its picnic/BBQ areas, playgrounds, bike and walking tracks.  There is even a fenced dog park that you can take your furry pal to for loads of butt-sniffing, if this is what he is into.

On the Western Shores of the lake there is a playground suitable for smaller kids, a boat ramp, a flying fox, and climbing frame suitable for larger kids.  There are also several coves that are good for dog and human swimming alike.  The lake is really quite shallow in these areas, and fairly safe for kids who have water confidence.  Older kids can swim out to sun themselves on a floating diving platform. 

The lake is a bit slimy and yes, ducks poo in it, but it is currently safe for swimming.  Just encourage the little blighters not to put their face in it, or drink it, and all should be fine.

We took our non-swimming dogs for a walk on sunny Sunday, then let the kids strip off to their swimmers and after applying sunscreen, hop in for a paddle.

DH and I lazed under the shade of the tree while supervising the KTNTM, and for a moment life was beautiful.  The secret is to find a spot that is sunny and sheltered because the lake can be quite breezy, and the water freezing.

Visit Burrinjuck Dam, NSW

On the long weekend, friends asked us to go camping at Burrinjack Dam, about 30km south of Yass, NSW.  Burrinjack Dam is an easy 1.5 hr drive from Canberra.

Because the weather was wetish and storms were forecast, we chose to do a daytrip rather than attempt camping with the Kids Too Numerous to Mention (KTNTM).  We packed our chairs and picnic lunch and set off, arriving mid-morning.

Once off the Hume Highway, the road to Burrinjuck takes you through lush farmland (think 'Babe' the movie) and then down a steep descent through the most beautiful and dense mountain fauna I have ever seen.  Wildflowers abounded as it is Springtime here in Oz. 

Once down the occassionally treacherous and narrow road, you reach the NSW State Park Office, where you pay your $10 entry fee to the park and camp fees if applicable.  There are maps available and the rangers are very knowledgable and helpful to boot.

The camping area consists of bungalows, cabins, powered and unpowered camping sites.  The accommodation varies in price and in terms of facilities.  However, I was pleased to find that the toilet and shower blocks were spotless.

The first thing that strikes you once in the park are the huge numbers of kangaroos that congegrate on the grassed areas, mooching around, scavenging for food, and resting.  Many of the roos we saw were heavy with child or already carting their joeys around in their pouches.  Joeys could be seen gawking out of their mother's pouches with feet and tail poking out too!  They would try to nibble food from the ground while their mothers foraged above them.

While waiting for the others to arrive, we checked out the lake.  The lake is man-made; a confluence of several rivers, notably the Murrumbidgee.  The lake is dammed, but access was not allowed to the dam on our visit.  The lake appears and indeed smelt, very clean.  Some of the families that were camping went fishing, but no fish were caught this time!

There was plenty of (fishing) boat action on the lake, but because of the cooler weather, people were turning in early.  I can imagine that in the height of summer the lake would be a very popular destination for skiing, rubber-tubing and wakeboarding too.

After enjoying our picnic at one of the picnic/BBQ areas available, we decided to feed the kangaroo.  We bought several bags of roo food for $2 ea from the park general store.  We also bought bags of bird food for the same price.  The general store appeared to sell everything but the kitchen sink, but staff advised that they were almost cleaned out by holiday-makers and the weekend was only beginning.  So bring your own food to avoid paying a premium or missing out completely if heading to Burrinjuck.  Firewood and ice is also available.

Feeding the roos was a delight for young and old.  Some of the males were a little aggressive, but the kids held their own.  We did not feed the parrots, although we did see them in the trees above.  I understand that they come down to feed in the morning so we gave our bird food to the campers to use the next day.

We also went for a short bushwalk along the perimeter of the lake.  It was simply magical in the forest and I wish we could have gone further, but the rain started to set in.

 

We piled the very tired KTNTM into the car and made our way back to Canberra.  It was a great day for all at the awesome getaway that is Burrinjuck Dam.

Visit Floriade, Canberra

Aaaaah fantastic, funky, flowery, Floriade!  By glistening Lake Burley Griffin, under the bluest of Australian skies grow the pampered floral beds of Floriade.  Located in Commonwealth Park, Canberra, Floriade is Canberra's premier festival. 

The stiff Canberra cold must be the perfect breeding ground for bulbs, because the flowers of Floriade were just perfect when I visited on Thursday.  I visited again today, and some of the heads were a little less vital after the weekend wind and rain.  Nevertheless, the flowers were brilliant.  Not quite as spectacular as the Dutch tulip fields, but pretty great all the same.

Free entry to the festival means you can come and go as you please.  There is plenty of parking available off Corranderk Street, or you can catch a free shuttle bus from the city.  There is disability parking adjacent to Commonwealth Park.  We parked in the CIT carpark off Constitution Avenue, where a couple of dollars in the parking meter is all it takes to secure a worry free outing to Floriade.

Budget-conscious as ever, we took our own lunch.  There are many wonderful spots for a picnic lunch and many other families appeared to be taking advantage of the perfect weather and picturesque locale to do the same.  There is an assortment of food choices available, in kiosks scattered throughout the gardens.  There are coffee vans and a wine garden too. 

Kids are well catered for with a small selection of carnival rides, including the must-do attraction, the Ferris Wheel.  Atop the Ferris Wheel one can appreciate the full extent of Floriade.  Only from this point of view can one make out the pictures and patterns created in the floral arrangements.  This year there are shoes, lips and top hats to reflect the inspirational spring style and fashion theme.

For kids there is also an area that has craft activities, spray-on tattoos and face-painting, reptiles and a circus. 

Free entertainment on the Big Stage is high quality.  We saw a children's choir and an orchestra performing.  There was also an old fashioned organ that was pumping out well-know tunes.  "The Day We Went to Bangor" had me singing along enthusiastically. 

The crowds at Floriade were perfectly behaved and I didn't see a single person having a bad time.  Our group consisted of a couple of women and a bunch of little kids, yet getting around was no problem. 

Meander the flower beds, revel in mother nature's glory, and just try and keep your hayfever at bay at Floriade.  Visit Floriade's website here

Visit Canberra International Sports and Aquatic Centre (CISAC), Belconnen

On Saturday, we took the family to CISAC, as Canberran's know it.  CISAC is a large pool complex situated in Belconnen. 

According to the Visit Canberra website here CISAC is "for all your health, wellbeing, sporting or leisure activities. Swim in their 50 metre 10 lane, Olympic sized indoor pool.  They also have a 25 metre pool, leisure pool with beach entry, water slide, spa, steam room and much more. Pools are heated all year round.  Other facilities include gymnnasiums, day spa, discount health and fitness store, cafe, PADI dive centre, physiotherapist, and skin treatment, and weightloss centre.  CISAC is Canberra's largest indoor sporting venue".

Obviously I was not going for the weightloss centre.  The kids wanted to have a leisure swim, something different from the 'grind' of their weekly swimming lessons at another centre.  I  just knew the KTNTM would also go ape when they saw the indoor waterslide.

We paid $37 for two adults and 4 children to swim and slide.  I am still getting over this fact.  Nevertheless, the kids did have a great time.  DH and I accompanied the two youngest on the waterslide which meant lots of stair-climbing exercise for us too.  My eldest son went up and down the waterslide non-stop for 3 hours!

We purchased a locker for $2 to stow our numerous bags in.  Sitting room is limited so a locker was essential.

At about 1pm the waterslide closed and we were getting hungry.  Signs discouraged us from eating our picnic lunch in the facility.  So we got changed and took our lunch outside.  Seated on a grassy area, we tucked into our chips and biscuits and lollies.  It was a veritable feast and my youngest declared it "a wonderful picnic".

Unfortunately the parking area is metered, but it was free the day we visited.

Now the kids have discovered CISAC I think they will be wanting to go again and again.  Maybe a membership would be cost-effective over summer - there are various plans available.

Visit the Australian War Memorial - Big Things in Store

Yesterday was the (?) annual Big Things in Store event held at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) annex at Mitchell, ACT.  The Mitchell site houses the AWM collection that will not fit at the Memorial and is not normally open to the public.

My husband had been hanging out for this event ever since moving to Canberra, so we very excitedly took the trip out to Mitchell.  Upon arriving we were confronted with a queue that went around one corner, and then another.  Phew!  Luckily a radion station arrived to hand out not-so-cold cans of softdrink. 

After queuing for just over 30 minutes and a gold coin donation we were in!  I had never seen so much 'junk' in my life.  Across two huge storage facilities were spare aeroplanes, tanks, cars, trucks, cannons, carriages, helicopters, navigational equipment, motorbikes, engines, and a whole heap of stuff that makes stuff like this go.  The staff seemed to be enjoying being bailed up for questioning/lecturing by enthusiastic visitors.  There were plenty of kids along for the ride too, and not a tantrum in sight.

Outside we were entertained by a brass/woodwind band that played wartime ditties, effectively setting the mood.  A small marching band amused the queuing crowds with lots of rat-a-tat-tatting and tossing of drumsticks. 

There was also a sausage sizzle and some craft activities for children, however mine preferred close inspections of the porta-loos.   

The AWM is on Facebook if you are interested in finding out about upcoming events.  The AWM website can be found at http://www.awm.gov.au/

Visit John Knight Memorial Park

Today we went to John Knight Park at Belconnen, a place we have now visited several times.  Arguably one of the best family parks/playgrounds in Canberra, you too will visit again and again.

For kids there are two play areas, one fenced but a little too close to a pond, contains your typical slide and fort arrangement for littlies and a more challenging outfit for bigger kids with climbing zones.  A bit up the hill there is an awesome seated flying fox which is great for kids and adults alike! 

Further up the hill is what the KTNTM call "the wooden playground".  It is a multi-slide wooden fort combo that can occupy the kids for hours.

For adults there are plenty of park benches to make your own and a barbecue area with picnic tables, toilets etc. 

On the shores of Lake Ginninderra, a man-made watercourse rushes into the lake.  There is always plenty of birdlife on the lake, and in the depths of winter there were baby swans (swanlets?)  to be seen.  There is a bridge across to an island, the far side of which affords sunshine and expansive views across the lake and Belconnen centre.

The whole park is planted out to many trees, both deciduous and native, and plenty of shrubs in between.  The experience is one of calm, Austro-European ambience.  The whole area is sheltered, but quite shady so if you are going in Winter, go early.

A bike path weaves its away around the outer perimeter and you do have to make sure the kids do not wander out in front of speedy cyclists or joggers!

Other facilities in the area are basketball courts and a bmx/scooter park to the South. 

You can easily kill an hour or two at John Knight Park.

Visit Yarramundi Reach - on the far reaches of Lake Burley-Griffin

On Saturday the KTNTM wanted to show Dad the Arboretum.  Unfortunately, the Arboretum was closed to the public as it is still a work in progress.  Instead, we decided to check out the nearby Yarramundi Reach.  Yarramundi Reach is sandwiched between Black Mountain to the North, the National Arboretum to the West, the Scrivener Dam and National Zoo to the South, and Lake Burley-Griffin to the East.  It is simply a spit of land jutting out into what is nearly the westernmost point of 'Lake B-G'.  Accessible off Lady Denham Drive, there is a walking loop and picnic area to explore. 

Firstly we had a look around the 'spooky forest' just to the South of Yarramundi Reach, which is planted out to an unidentified kind of nut tree with burnt-black trunks (note:  I have since found out these are cork trees that have been harvested for cork) and nuts (see pic below) littered everywhere.  It was dark and silent except for when a serious cyclist went whizzing by on the nearby bike path.  We disturbed parrots that were dropping nut shells from the branches above.  We saw green grass-parrots, rosellas and that lovely red/blue variety.  We also saw many ducks on the lake.  The KTNTM collected feathers and pretended a bear was after them.  Run!

There was sign post at Yarramundi Reach explaining that part of Walter Burley-Griffin's vision for Canberra was an arboretum at this site.  Almost 100 years later his vision is being fulfilled in the creation of the National Arboretum.  I found this a touching and encouraging sentiment; that one man's vision for Canberra a century ago had not been forgotten and indeed will come to fruition in the next decade.  Now that will be a legacy to behold.

Yarramundi Reach itself was quite desolate, just a bunch of natives, some naturally occurring and some planted in rows.  There were also a series of pines situated in a windbreak pattern about 20 metres from the shore.  The KTNTM enjoyed climbing on the huge boulders that have been placed along the gravel track and bounding up massive piles of aromatic woodchips, apparently the result of recent mulching of the lower branches of the pines.  When one of the KTNTM got bowled over by an over-friendly bull terrier we decided to head home, admiring the wattle in full blossom lining the main roads on our way home.  A simple but highly enjoyable outing.
           
Above:  Yarramundi reach on the centre right, with Government House visible behind it.

 Acorn on Cork Oak

Visit the National Arboretum, Canberra

Today, in the absence of hubby, I took the KTNTM to the National Arboretum to burn off some steam.  It was a beautiful 16 degrees, with piercing blue skies and a light wind to help us along.  The arboretum is situated to the west of Lake Burley Griffin, on a hillside that I believe was burnt out in the bad bushfires.  The area has been planted out to swathes of different species (including the notorious Wollemi Pine), and in a few years, the result will be nothing short of spectacular.  But for now, there are no pesky trees to impede ones views, and the views are immense. 

We made our own track up to the highest peak where a series of pines of the 'lone pine' variety stand.  The kids gathered pine cones and had a ball playing 'bowling' while I admired the views.  Lake Burley Griffin, Parliament House, Woden, the Molonglo Valley, Stromlo Observatory, Black Mountain and the Telstra Tower:  soaring 360 degree views. 

On our return we took the bitumen road which led us past a murky duck pond that kids eyed off for swimming. 

A perfect day and a perfect ACTivity.       

Move to Canberra

About 8 months ago, hubby and I packed up our worldy belongings (turns out it was a whole truckload of stuff), our two dogs and kids too numerous to mention (KTNTM).  

We followed the removal truck over 800 kilometres to reach our cosy little rental (CLR) in Canberra at 1am in the morning.  We offloaded kids and dogs and bedded down on the living room floor for the night. 

When daylight broke, excitement and chaos ensued.  The truck had to be unloaded and things put away.  The KTNTM helped by getting in the way of the removalists, asking for non-existent food and exploring their new backyard equipped with wooden cubby house.  I was thrilled to be continuing my life journey in beautfiul Canberra, where hubby had a new job.

On this blog I will document my experiences as a newcomer and mother in Canberra.  So far, Canberra has been awesome!