Our last day in down under

Nearby to the the Parliament House was the foundation stone for Canberra. We were lucky to be here this year. Canberra is 100 years old this year and is having a year-long party to celebrate.

It's very sunny. We're glad we have our hats.

 From Parliament House we went to visit some local icons that our host family said every Canberran would recognise. This is the Canberra Times Fountain.

And last of all, here we are riding on a sheep's back. 

We're only sorry we couldn't get a photo of a kangaroo. But perhaps we will visit Australia once again...

Dear Kate, THANK YOU FOR ALL!

We went to visit Australia's Parliament House

It was built for Australia's 200th birthday in 1988 and when it was built it was the largest building in the Southern Hemisphere. It was built on top a round hill, but it was so big they took the top off the hill, built the Parliament House and them put some dirt back on the top of the hill. Here we are sitting in front of the Parliament House.

Can you see us? The building is very big, but we are not!

In front of the Parliament House is a large mosaic made by an Indigenous Australian artist. Can you see us?

 

Here we are!

We are sitting in a Gum Tree and observe native birds

While we were having our picture taken, a local magpie came to investigate us. We think he liked having his photo taken.

In Australia, children sing a song about a kookaburra sitting in an old gum tree. Our host family showed us a photo they took of a kookaburra.

Hans and Paul look out over Canberra

We wanted to get a good look at the capital city of Australia, which is where our host family live. They took us up to Black Mountain, which is close to the city centre. On the top of the mountain (compared to the mountains in Wellington it is only a hill, but nevertheless) there is a large communication tower with viewing decks, and is a very popular spot for people to get their bearings of Canberra.

Here we are at the bottom of the tower.

Behind us you can see Lake Burley Griffin, which is a created lake named for the architects of this planned city. Compared to our last city, Wellington, this city is so spread out and flat!

Canberra is known as the Bush Capital, behind us here is a large area of bush, mostly gum trees, and behind that you might be able to see more of the urban and suburban areas of the city.

Behind us here you can see the city centre of Canberra. A beautiful day to enjoy a beautiful view.

Hans and Paul in Australia.

New Zealand and Australia are close neighbours, but there are many differences between them. One difference is the wildlife. New Zealand has many birds, but not very much more native fauna. Australia has lots of native fauna, including spiders. 

 

Look, a big big spiders.

Hi Australia!

We were very sorry to leave New Zealand, but our host family had to move back to their home country of Australia. 

 

It was great to travel inside the cabin of the aeroplane where we could see out of the window, instead of our usual travel which is inside our travel box, cosy and safe but dark and no view.

 Hey look we are nex to Australia!