I decided to alter my plan and leave Australia a month early. This was for a number of reasons; I was running out of things to do, my wallet was starting to disintegrate due to it being taken out of my back pocket so much and I was eager to get to New Zealand. Because of this change I headed through Sydney to Canberra and Melbourne and would return there for Christmas and New Year.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was created in 1911 after it was decided to build a national capital after separate Australian states were federated in 1901. The capital city of Canberra houses the Parliamentary buildings as well as many public service buildings that are home to the majority of Australia’s ‘pubes’. I spent one night in Canberra and managed to see everything I wanted to. I visited the National Gallery of Australia, I am a self admitting philistine when it comes to art but a couple of hours in the gallery really helped me on my way to appreciating it a lot more. I also saw the New Parliament House and visited the Australian Was Memorial which was both moving and entertaining and on ef the best museums I have ever been to.

I had to wait around till midnight to catch my bus to Melbourne. I didn’t care though because I was going to see Brian and Laura. I was very excited.