Saturday 14th April

Well I survived a 19 and a half bus trip to Canberra. Arrived at 6am this morning. Managed to have a quick shower in the YHA before hitting the city.
Did you know that Canberra is the Nation's capital? It is a very new city, following a referendum in 1901 they decided to develop a new city between Sydney and Melbourne (to prevent arguements) and held a competition to design the new city. Griffen won the competition and therefore in 1911 Canberra was officially opened. Its based upon a circular theme close to the lake. Although everything is new it does have a very tasteful design with clean buildings and almost American wide roads.
So first thing this morning I decided to climb the Black Mountain, which I don't think it actually classifies as a mountain being only 811feet above sea level, however that's what it's name is! It was tough finding the path, it was through the National Botanic Gardens, I did find a map in the end! At one point I nearly turned back though as there was a sign warning you that there are traps around to capture the snakes. However, there were others walking up this track so I power walked up then ran back down. Apparently it's supposed to take 2 nearly 3 hours to climb, well I was up and down in 45minutes!!! Maybe you should put signs up like that in the Longmynd hike I'll half my time that way!!!
So then, with my trusted Lonely Planet, I walked the Parliament Triangle, first heading to the Expedition Centre. This is where I learnt about the history of Canberra. Outside the centre was a 176metre water fountain in the lake commemorating Captain Cook, with a metal globe mapping all his expedition routes. Quite extraordinary, but interesting. Continuing up Capital Hill I explored the Parliament house and then Old Parliament house both on the same strip. I followed the trail along the banks of the river and ended up at the Australian War Memorial. I was expecting a statue, no, it was a huge building with expeditions about the first and second world war, quite a suprise. By this point I was feeling pretty tired so I headed back to the YHA and had a dip (because I can't call it a swim, the pool was far too small) in the supposedly heated indoor pool!!!
Tomorrow I travel to Brisbane in the evening but before I go there is another mountain/hill I want to climb and the national institute of sport is here so I'd thought I'd go and explore!