A Trip to Canberra

This past week we spent in Canberra, the Australian capital city.

While my husband worked, the children and I explored...

We made a trip to the National Botanical Garden... a wonderful learning opportunity, as well as, a beautiful and soul filling day.

Sarah and Thomas in front of a Wattle Bush 

The Wattle is the National Flower of Australia

They happened to be in bloom the week we were in Canberra!

Within the Botanical Garden, were sections planted to show off the 
various climate zones around Australia... 

The Rain Forest was one of our favorites.

Kangaroo Paws

Fuchsia Heath

 Banksia

We just happened to stop and chat with a lovely woman who ended up giving us a tour of the garden.  She was a tour guide for the Garden... but was on her day off...enjoying the garden on her own time.  Yet, she could not help but share her wealth of knowledge regarding Australian soil, native plants and birds.

Sarah had a fabulous time naming birds she had been studying in her new Australian Bird Guide.

 Splendid Fairy Wren

 

Crimson Rosellas

We also had our first wild Kangaroo sighting as we were walking about.

The following day,  we enjoyed the National Zoo...  lots of interesting animals.  One particular exhibit allowed us to walk freely with Kangaroos, Wallabies and Emus.

After the zoo, we headed over to the Australian War Memorial. This was a highlight for Thomas.

He enjoyed all of the restored and preserved war vehicles and airplane's from various past wars to present, as well as amazing and detailed dioramas of the battles fought during World War I. 

Another day was enjoyed at a nature reserve known as Tidbinbilla.  It is a nature park that has been working to protect animals that are unique to Australia that are at risk of extinction.  Many of these animals are already extinct in the Canberra Capitol Territory.   



We enjoyed amazing sitings of  birds, kangaroos, wallabies, and emus.

While searching for the elusive platypus along a lakeside trail, we noticed we had a curious Emu following us.  As we continued down the trail, we realized that the trail ended and that we would have to turn back.  Unfortunately for us, the Emu was not going to back up.  It stood right in the way of our path ... starring at us.

My husband tried to "shoo" him away... with no luck.  The children were becoming a bit frightened... this large bird was not going to move and was appearing to show signs of irritation.  Not knowing what else to do, my husband picked up a very large branch on the ground with leaves still attached.  He began to walk toward the bird, shaking the branch and soon we were all chasing the bird down the trail!  That awkward bird ran for it's life!  We all got a good laugh after that experience.

 Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Australian Pelicans

As we continued on our bush walk through the Eucalyptus forest, we searched for a Koala... another very elusive creature.  Apparently, there was a terrible fire in the past few years that killed many of the Koala in the reserve.  Only one survived and they are currently working to acclimate a few more into the area again.  They did have one that was fenced off so we did get a good look at our first Koala.
 

 The Kangaroos were plentiful... mobs everywhere we went!

There is so much beautiful countryside to explore all around Canberra... and, lots more to explore in the city itself.  We are looking forward to returning for more adventures!