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The NFSA (to save words) was established to collect and preserve audio-visual material with enduring national cultural significance. As such, it provides a resource for researchers and also presents exhibitions and events. The collection holds over 1.3 million items and can be searched online. All that is very worthy, but what is there to interest you, the tourist? Well, when you visit (free), you can go to the theatre and watch a constant screening of Australian movies or documentaries. You also have access to a library and a shop where you can purchase all manner of books, souvenirs, or copies of movies (DVD). There also is a small cafeteria should you need refreshments.
When we visited recently, there was a display of posters for Australian films – film posters apparently were highly individual in different national styles until recently. A unique dimension was added by the inclusion of Polish posters for Australian films: quite different from those released locally for the same films!
The building housing the NFSA is interesting in its own right. It was built in 1929-1930 and served for over 50 years as the headquarters for the Institute of Anatomy. The style is called “Stripped Classical” – I guess that refers to the columns at the front. More interesting, however, are the ‘Art Deco’ touches throughout the building, mixed with representations of Australian wildlife: the skylight with its central platypus is an excellent example.
NB. The NFSA website contains very useful information on how to best preserve your own personal audiovisual material.
Main photo: the front façade
Second photo: the skylight in the entry foyer and door at rear, both in Art Deco style (vertical panorama)
Third photo: Polish poster for Australian film “Blue Fin”. Address: McCoy Circuit, Acton, ACTPhone: 1800 067 274Directions: On the southwestern side of the main city area, just across from the Australian Academy of Science. Opening hours are weekdays 0900-1700, weekends 1000-1700.Website: www.nfsa.afc.gov.au/
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There are other things that stand out in Canberra, notably Parliament House, the National Library and the Telstra Tower atop a nearby hill and affording the best views of Canberra while standing on a building.
Possibly the most memorable way to view the town would be to get aboard one of the many balloons that fly every morning (seven when I was last there), weather permitting. If you are an early riser and have a camera I recommend you get lakeside just after sunrise and, again weather permitting, you should get some great shots of coloured balloons over Canberra reflected in the water.
Parliament House (surely the only one in the world covered by a lawn) is worthy of some time. The tour is informative and an insight into where some of my taxes went!
At nighttime, should you be crossing the main bridge over Lake Burley Griffin, you will see this colourful edifice, the new Australian National Museum, whose architecture defies description. Frankly, I think it looks great at night and downright ugly in the day. Leave a Comment
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This is the repository or some of Australia's and the world's great history. There is always a small exhibition on here and they are usually very interesting.
The building itself is the most dominant of those astride Lake Burley Griffin in the nation's capital. Canberra, being a planned city, doesn't have significant buildings jammed next to each other so the architecture is more at home with its surroundings instead of one eye-jarring high rise stacked adjacent to another. By night (pic 1 and 5) or day it constantly demands attention.
I liken this to the classical temples though instead of round columns you can substitute square and rectangular. Its position adjacent to Lake Burley Griffin makes it the standout architectural feature in Canberra.
As you get close to the building, don't forget to check out the "Totem" sculptures by legendary Aussie sculptor Tom Bass.
You will also note there is a balloon floating by (pic 2). This is a common thing in Canberra in the early mornings when you can hear the roar of the flame bursting across the sky and you can book a flight with one anytime the weather is right though autumn is probably best.
Inside there are over 5,000,000 books and, near the entrance, 3 magnificent tapestries woven at Aubusson in France of Australian merino wool.
Australian artist Leonard French is responsible for the wonderful stained glass windows, whose character and texture are only apparent inside the building. Leave a Comment Address: Parkes Place, Parkes
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When Australia’s Federal Government moved to Canberra in 1927, the Old Parliament House was its first home. Although the building was supposed to be a temporary structure, Parliament continued to sit here until the new Parliament House opened in 1988 on Capital Hill.
This site is worth a visit for the surrounding rose gardens alone (over 5,000 at last count) or you can take a step back into history, with guided tours, sometimes by ex-pollies, of the building and the intriguing sound and light presentation "Order! Order!".
For recreation there are tennis courts, bowling green and a croquet court and a recent addition is the stunning new Centenary of Women's Suffrage Fountain.
The Old Parliament House is also the part home of the National Portrait Gallery (the rest is at Commonwealth Place), where you can see many of Australia’s most famous faces, as depicted by many of Australia’s most famous artists. The vistas from the front looking back to the War Memorial and from the back looking up to the New Parliament House are equally impressive.
If you're feeling peckish there's the Cafe In The House where you can eat during the day or The Ginger Room is open for dinner.
open 9-5 daily Leave a Comment
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Blundell’s Cottage is the last stone houses and is one of the few historical sights of Canberra. Since 1964 it belongs to Canberra and District Historical Society.
It was built on the Duntroon Estate by George Campbell as a home for his workers in 1858. The head ploughman William Ginn was the first occupier and followed by George Blundell and his wife Flora. When they left Blundell’s Cottage was going to be destroyed but William Holford the British architect and a town planner save the day and Blundell Cottage became museum. The Cottage has operated as an historical museum since the 1960s.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
Cost: $2.00, Concession $1.00, Family $5.00 Address: Wendouree DrivePhone: 02 6273 2667Directions: Northern shore of lake Burley Griffin. Walk from Regatta Point
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This famous World War II bomber flew three tours of duty, 90 sorties, and thus became famous for doing that alone. Most didn't even make the first thirty.
All the original markings are still on it and they currently have an excellent light and sound show that simulates, to some degree, what it must have been like during a bombing raid. Frankly, I thought the sound effects must have been pretty close to reality.
The markings on the side also indicate when new captains took over. Leave a Comment
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CSIRO Discovery Centre is a window in to the world of scientific research, literally. Located on the Black Mountain campus of the Commonwealth Science & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), you can glimpse the world of the lab researcher through plate glass windows. Enjoy a cappucino and a glorious view over the Australian National University from the coffee shop. Visit the interactive exhibition for a small fee ($6 adult, $3 child). Leave a Comment Address: Clunies Ross Street, ActonPhone: 1300 363 400Directions: Take any inter-town express bus (route number 300-315) and get down on Barry Drive at the corner of Clunies Ross Street. Discovery Centre is on the nortwest corner of the intersection.Website: http://www.csiro.au/csiro/content/standard/pps7a,,.html
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If there's one thing the travel agent won't tell you that is a must-do in Canberra it's going for an early morning walk in springtime beside the lake. It is truly one of the most enjoyable things to do in Australia.
The budding cherry and apple blossoms, interspersed with golden wattle to a backdrop of wonderful buildings set amongst the trees makes for an uplifting experience, as well as a healthy one. Fortunately, Canberrans aren't oblivious to the delights of such an activity and you will undoubtedly run across a few during your stroll. It's all part of the experience. Leave a Comment Directions: Anywhere around Lake Burley Griffin
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The original lumbering giant, with its twin turrets on the side, was a monster that weighed 28 tons and carried a crew of 8. Since its British inventors wanted to keep it a secret until it was ready they told people that it was a water tank, hence the name.
Sadly, it had one inherent flaw. Whilst making its way through, say, the sodden fields of Flanders, it had a tendency to sink in the mud. Not good for mobility.
Enter the French option, a Renault FT17 light tank crewed by only two men and a forerunner of the modern style. Bedecked in its natty colouring (did that really camouflage it?) it debuted with limited success late in World War I. Leave a Comment
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This is, without question, one of the "must-see's" of the Australian tourist circuit. Its fame is world wide and rightly so. What it promises, it delivers. It is a sombre monument to the folly of war, perhaps at times glorifying moments but always reminding one that wars are appalling things to have to endure.
In the ensuing pages I will elaborate on certain aspects for you. Leave a Comment
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