AUSTRALIA'S CAPITAL CITY HOSTS MORE THAN POLITICSStory and Photography by Darren B. Azeez |
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Canberra, New South Wales - In the traditional Aboriginal language Canberra means "meeting place" but it is also known as ACT, "Australian Capital Territory." It's quite common for Sydney to be mistaken for the capital of Australia, but all the parliamentary buildings are in Canberra, as the sign towards "The Capital City of Australia" clearly states.
Canberra, like most capital cities around the world, has a number of historical buildings, but what sets this capital apart is its location for many attractions in addition to the political and historical venues. During my stay in Canberra I had the opportunity of visiting most places of interest that the city has to offer, from the New Parliament House, The Australian Institute of Sport (also known as the AIS), Questacon, The Telstra Tower and the Australian War Memorial.
NEW PARLIAMENT HOUSE Opened in 1988, New Parliament House is an impressive and magnificent structure situated at the center of the nation's capital. The architectural masterpiece is home to the Federal Parliament and a dazzling array of Australian contemporary art. The outdoors are an appealing blend of landscaped gardens and courtyards. As you approach the doors you can't miss the compelling sight of the brilliantly designed flagpole above the building. The Australian flag is visible for miles around.
QUESTACON Going from a fun place to another fun spot is hard with aching muscles, but a science extravaganza called Questacon is great for the child in all of us. Although it appears to be a hangout for the young ones, it takes the mind of a genius to conquer some the many interactive exhibits. This 12-year-old National Science and Technology Centre is Australia's leading interactive science and technology centre. The programs will fascinate, challenge and excite visitors of all ages with its 200-plus exhibits by using their hands, bodies and minds. The exhibitions feature six galleries of temporary, long-term or permanent shows, all based on emerging trends. Your Questacon experience is guaranteed to be interesting and fun - there are over 200 volunteer "explainers" ready to answer any questions that may puzzle you. And don't be shy about seeking their assistance because the concept is designed to show just how important science and technology can be in our daily lives. Remember it took years for Alexander Graham Bell to figure out how the telephone works. Have you ever tried to figure out how you cook meals or throw a ball? The answers are all there. This is where I figure out the sensation of motion without moving a muscle, simply by taking a simulated roller coaster ride and experience free falling on the vertical slippery dip. You can (if your heart and will dictate) dangle from the top of a slide recreating the feeling of weightlessness - very cool, but not for the fainthearted or those with an injury, or a fear of heights. Cybercity is the futuristic technological exhibition that is mind-boggling but very exciting. It's an odd feeling to see the intricacies of a brain transplant or using your brain to paint or controlling devices in your home. Good Vibes will teach you about the properties of waves using springs and light beams to make music. The Prototype gallery offers an insider view of exhibits being made right on location, and if you're interested you can even test some of the prototypes they make. It's a world-class centre for science and technology with topics that never cease to amaze an audience. Force, Holograms, Colour your Life and Zooms In will stimulate your brain for days at least. Upstairs there are various exhibits that are mind-challenging. I could see some parents taking the time to figure out small brain teasers and coming to the realization that it's not that easy. Many kids bypass the exhibits because some of them don't understand the games. It seems that some of the parents didn't understand them either. I have to admit that I tried some of them, but failed miserably sometimes, but that's all part of the experience - trying and realizing you are not as smart as you think you are. The next big exhibits take you through sound and light games to test your every sense. This is where the kids have the most fun, and while they run around the parents ponder why the brain-teasers got the best of them. Lightning, roller coaster simulator, earthquakes, free-falls, explosions and liquid nitrogen - Questacon has it all and more. If seeing is believing, then why not?
TELSTRA TOWER If you're looking for astonishing views, there is only one place to be in Canberra and that is the Telstra Tower. At 195 meters tall on the top of Black Mountain, you can't get much higher. Opened in 1980, the tower is always busy with visitors coming from all over the world to capture the magnificent views of the city and the surrounding areas. As a tourist attraction the tower has an exhibition gallery, a theater, coffee shop and revolving restaurant.
Besides viewing Canberra from the top of the tower the "Making Connections" exhibition allows visitors to participate in a 'hands-on' experience about the history of telecommunications in Australia. And who says capital cities are dull? | |
Surprisingly, this is no 'stuffy' political cavern. The foyer leads to the hallowed halls with beautiful floors and murals. The artwork was commissioned from artists in Australia and around the world. It is very easy to get very lost in a building this size, so it's very advisable to take the tour. Any fan of politics can wander the halls for hours absorbing the wonders of Australian politics, reliving its moments in history.
At the first level you enter what appears to be a mini theme park, but it's all about science and learning about yourself. "The SideShow" lives up to its name as "the science behind the fun." This permanent display opened up in April 2000 with a focus on fun parks and deals with "the phenomenon of fear to the probability of fortune telling."
The real drew to the Telstra Tower is the view from the observation deck. It's a rare view to see a city at a single glance, and that was the most impressionable memory for me. That, and the bitterly cold wind which almost took me off my feet. Australia is mostly perceived as a warm country, but at the top of a mountain, standing on a deck at the top of a tower, it's freezing cold!