canberra

canberra

• 31 Jan 2021

I took an extra day off work and ran away to Canberra last weekend. Originally I'd planned a visit to Brisbane but the QLD border was still closed to Sydney residents so I made a location change.

The border to the ACT re-opened to Sydney just before Australia Day so I booked a hotel, arranged tickets to the National Gallery of Australia and the War Memorial, made a dinner reservation, packed an overnight bag and hopped in the car for the 3 hour drive south.

I've been to Canberra a few times before, sometimes staying in Manuka and sometimes in New Acton. New Acton is close to ANU and has lots of good eateries. The hotel in which I stayed is just around the corner from Rebel Rebel where I'd booked dinner and Mocan and Green Grout where I had breakfast.

My first stop was at the National Gallery of Australia. It was a scorcher of a day so I was keen to stay indoors but was drawn outside to the Sculpture Garden and the imposing work by James Turrell, Skyspace.

I was wearing SPF 50 but I still managed to get burnt whilst strolling around the Sculpture Garden.

After dinner when it had cooled down a little I drove over to Parliament House, which was just about deserted.

I waited for about 5 minutes and had the place to myself.

The following day I had tickets to the Australian War Memorial.

The early viewing time and the booking system meant I was able to take photos of the Pool of Reflection with few people in my shot.

  The wall of poppies is one of my favourite parts of the War Memorial.

A last look over Canberra before the drive home.

I drove home via Collector, a little town that time almost forgot. It's over 10 years since my last visit and whilst new houses are being built there, Collector still doesn't have either a petrol station or a grocery store.

I did take a roll of black and white film with me that I'm yet to finish, so hopefully if they turn out okay I'll have a few more images to share with you in the next couple of weeks. 

See you all again soon,

Bye for now, 

Jillian