Everyone comes here
Ask anyone who has visited Canberra and they’ll tell you visit the Parliamentary Triangle opposite Lake Burley Griffin. Why??
Well it is of course where you’ll find almost all the major tourist attractions and national institutions in the Capital. Starting with Parliament House built into Capital Hill with the flag flying on top, visitors can go into the building during the day all year for free, even when our Politicians are debating one another on the floor of the house beneath you as you watch. You can catch a lift inside the house to go underneath the flag and get a good photo of Canberra City to take home. Parliament House also features a wonderful gallery of potraits and interesting rooms. Note: the best kept secrets are behind closed doors and if you can get a tour of the House with an insider it opens a whole new world to the Parliament House experience.
Just below Parliament House is Old Parliament House. Rather than knock down the original it is now a museum. A great place to see an exhibition or learn about Australia’s political system. The National Library of Australia, the National Potrait Gallery, Archives Australia and the National Gallery of Australia are also get places to see art exhibitions within the Parliamentary Triangle. All are located within easy walking distance from each other. This part of Canberra is well serviced by Public Transport and Tour Operators.
If you prefer fun to culture, then head to Questacon with the kids and see how learning about science can be a whole new experience. There are a number of hands-on interactive activities for everyone to do. It really is worth the admission fee. Recommend the slippery dip!
The High Court of Australia is the last of the National Institutions in the zone. It is quite a fascinating building and has that awe of importance surrounding Courts and Parliaments. When your finished at the High Court check out the Garden behind the National Gallery and take a stroll between the flags on the lake’s edge.
In front of the Library after the flags are plagues to the Australian of the Year winner. There are other monuments, fountains and displays in the Parliamentary Triangle. The most known is the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Old Parliament House. Closer to the lake there is a more modern recognition of Australia’s Indigenous people at Reconcilation Place.