Canberra

Canberra had not changed since we were there last about five years ago. It is a manufactured city, purely government and administration offices as it is the capital of Australia. This came about because of the arguments between Melbourne and Sydney. There is a very large artificial lake and two smaller lakes. All three are beautifully sculpted and looked after. There are facilities round the lakes such as a bike track and a jogging track, plus the inevitable cafes. On the lake there is rowing and dragon boat practice. There is also a paddle boat steamer to take visitors on tours.
Canberra suffered fires a few years ago which came very close to the city, it has destroyed large swathes of land to the North, including the astronomy centre. There is a military college to the West and as we drove through this, new candidates were being introduced to the college and we were lucky enough (or not!) to see a fly past by the Australian equivalent of the Red Arrows.
The city centre was like any other, a huge shopping mall housing shops that can be seen the world over.
I think the highlights in this area for me were seeing up close the huge gum trees, feeling all their very different barks, watching Gallahs feed their young, sulphur crested cockatoos flying wild in the trees, seeing wild kangeroos up close and a largish lizard sat on a rock!