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I left Sydney on the greyhound bus. The intention was originally to go straight to Melbourne, but as Canberra was pretty much on the way I decided that it was a perfect opportunity to visit the nation’s capital and spend a day looking around Canberra.
Canberra is the capital of Australia. Back in the day Melbourne used to be the capital but I have been told that the reason Canberra was chosen as the capital city was to prevent arguments between Sydney and Melbourne, the two largest cities in Australia. There is a big rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne and so the government decided to choose Canberra as the capital, as it is pretty much in the middle between the two.
I arrived in Canberra in the late afternoon and made the relatively short walk from the bus station to the YHA to check in. The YHA in Canberra is just like many of the other YHA’s that I have stayed in - quiet, clean with good facilities. The people there were friendly but there wasn’t really a social atmosphere there.
I arrived in the afternoon so I decided to have a walk around the city to get a feel for the place and work out my plan of action for the following day’s tourist action. Canberra is a very well planned city, I suppose due to it being so new and built specifically as Australia’s capital city. The main part of the city, where the YHA was situated as well as the shopping centre, bars and the like is north of the city. Capitol hill, where the parliament is located, is in the south and these two main areas are separated by Lake Burley. You reach either end by travelling down a long, long road. The way the city is set-up in my opinion gives the city a distinct lack of character and walking around the place, Canberra doesn’t have the same vibe as other cities I have visited. It has a pretty good shopping precinct though, which is probably the best part of the place! That and the Parliament which I visited the next day.
The Australian Parliament is based in Capitol Hill, a 15 minute bus ride from the city centre. On getting on the bus the driver heard my accent and asked if I was lost. “What?!” I replied. “What are you doing in Canberra?” he asked as if to suggest there is no reason why I should be here. He was right to be honest. Apart from a couple of attractions, such as the parliament, Canberra doesn’t have a hell of a lot to offer. It was hardly a place that most backpackers would come. Certainly not for a good time. But I was glad to be here to see the city anyhow.
I got to the Parliament and I did a guided tour which was very interesting. The Australian Parliament is based very much on the UK Parliamentary system. The set-up of the chambers is very similar, they even have a question time which is aired every day. Apparently the members are even more disrespectful to each other than over in the UK. Parliament House itself is very new. It was built into a hill, has a grass roof, where you can see some fantastic views of the city and the surrounding area.
I stayed in Canberra for one day, which was enough I think before jumping back on the greyhound bus to Melbourne. I was really looking forward to going to Melbourne as I had heard only good things about it. I’d soon find out whether it was to live up to all he hype of fellow backpackers.
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