An Australian Point of View #1 Capital Cities
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world with a land mass of 7,692,014 square kilometres. Despite its size, Australia is composed of just six states and two territories, all with their own capital city. Every capital has its own distinctive architecture; some buildings are more well-known than others, but each plays a part in the story of its city.
Brisbane, Queensland
The heritage-listed Albert Street Uniting Church, completed in 1889, is dwarfed by the surrounding city tower blocks. By the early 1900s it was the main Methodist Church in the city and is now the home of Wesley Mission Queensland. With its Victorian Gothic architecture and its inner city position, the church is a popular wedding venue.
Melbourne, Victoria
The Arts Centre Melbourne is Australia’s busiest Performing Arts complex. Construction began in 1973 and the buildings were completed in stages, the last being finished in 1984. The steel spire is 162 metres high and is surrounded at the base by a ruffle of steel mesh reminiscent of a ballerina’s tutu.
Adelaide, South Australia
The scoreboard at the Adelaide Oval has been keeping track of cricket matches since 3 November, 1911. The heritage-listed Edwardian scoreboard is the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and is still manually operated. A tour of Adelaide Oval includes a visit inside the four storey scoreboard.
Perth, Western Australia
The Bell Tower in Barracks Square houses the Swan Bells, a collection of 18 change ringing bells. Twelve of the bells come from St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in London and date from the 13th century. They were gifted to the city of Perth during Australia’s Bicentenary, while the Bell Tower was completed in time for Millennium celebrations.
Hobart, Tasmania
The Shot Tower at Taroona, just outside Hobart, was built in 1879 and was, for four years, Australia’s tallest building. Lead shot was produced in the tower for 35 years. Next door is the home of Joseph Moir, who constructed the tower and other landmark buildings in Hobart. The shot tower is still the tallest of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.
Darwin, Northern Territory
Government House, on the Esplanade in Darwin, is the oldest European building in the Northern Territory. Completed in 1871, the house is the official residence of the Administrator of the Northern Territory. The Victorian Gothic design is complemented by wide verandas, which help to cool the house in Darwin’s tropical climate.
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Parliament House is the meeting place of the Parliament of Australia. This is the second Parliament House and replaced Old Parliament House, which was in use from 1927 to 1988. This new building was opened in 1988 by Queen Elizabeth II during Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations. The Commonwealth Coat of Arms adorns the front façade, and an Australian flag the size of a half tennis court flies at the top of the 81 metre high flagpole.
Sydney, New South Wales
The Sydney Opera House, opened in 1973, overlooks Sydney Harbour at Bennelong Point. Every year, more than eight million people visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site and it hosts more than 1,500 events and performances. The Opera House becomes a focal point during Sydney’s Vivid Festival each June.
Participating in Becky’s #RoofSquares Challenge
So many iconic roof shapes here! Australia is well endowed 🙂 Great photos too Carol, I’m always impressed!
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Thank you Pauline. Many of these roofs are well-known.
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I love Government House in Darwin.
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It really is a beauty, with its lovely verandahs.
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How wonderful! That Bell Tower in Perth is my favourite, but the one I’d like to live in has to be the Governor’s House in Darwin.
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Oh yes, isn’t it picturesque. I wonder if there is air con inside too. I would expect so these days.
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Now the family have returned to Sydney I guess I shall never find out.
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We lived in Darwin in the 1980s. Nowhere had air con then.
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Great post. Perth and Adelaide were probably my 2 favorite capitals. But, Sydney also. Guess I don’t have a favorite. All were wonderful.
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Each city is lovely in its own way. I prefer Melbourne to Sydney but we lived in Melbourne for three years so we know it much better.
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Those are great. Such variety.
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Thanks, Anabel. Each one has an interesting story.
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Fabulous, thank you, and so much for me to see when I eventually visit Australia again.
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There’s plenty to see in every city! You’ll be busy.
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What a great overview of the cityscapes of the Australian capitals, Carol. That Albert Street Uniting Church looks so perfect, it almost looks like a model! And I love that spire of the Arts Centre Melbourne. 🙂
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The little church is so pretty, isn’t it.
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So much variety within your shores, Carol. And now you’re off to Canada, I saw on Facebook? Have an amazing time 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Jo! We had a 14 hour direct flight but here now and already enjoying it.
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Australia knows how to produce a good roof! I thought the Albert Street Uniting Church was a lego model at first – it is just so unusual in its surroundings. I think my favourite is the clever projection on the Opera House.
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It’s teeny tiny in front of all those tall office blocks. The Vivid Festival in Sydney is fantastic to visit. All the big buildings are illuminated.
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That sounds like it would be a magnificent sight.
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I do love our Melbourne Arts Centre, but the Opera House is such a unique piece of architecture. Simply amazing. 😉
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It really is amazing and it’s always a thrill to see it when we visit Sydney.
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Me too Carol. Always a pleasure when we visit Sydney too. Xx
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Well, you certainly have to some roof squares to take notice of in a big way. Impressive collection. 🙂
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Thanks Judy. I decided to go all out in one post rather than do a single roof every day. 🙂
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Thanks for the post – and to let us know what we’re (sadly) missing unless we make a return trip. We’ve only been to three thus far.
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So it’s time you came again to cover the rest. Glad to inspire you! 🙂
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I love that you notice things that I don’t! 😀 Makes for an interesting perspective.
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Funny you should say that. I often read other people’s posts, including yours, and think how clever that idea/photo/writing is. We all learn from each other.
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Such a beautiful and massive country. We visited a few years ago and felt as though we saw so much. Yet in a map just a wee bit that included Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania. Clearly we need to return for more exploring.
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What a great perspective. Loved your take on this and showing everyone all the fascinating points in our country.
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Thanks Miriam. I wanted to do at least one post for Becky’s challenge and I just scraped in at the end of the month. I had fun selecting just one photo for each city.
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Wow, what a presentation! I enjoyed these photos giving a closer look of interior of Your country. Thank You.
Happy upcoming weekend!
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Hi Matti! This is just one building from each city. It was difficult to choose which one to feature. Happy weekend to you too!
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Wow what an amazing collection. I love these
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