Day 2 of Canberra

08.01.2013

Day 2 saw us venturing back into Canberra to visit the Royal Australian Mint, where all the coins (but not the notes) are made in Australia. We arrived just in time for the free guided tour at 10 am - the first of two each day - and learnt the history of Australia's currency from a cheerful & informative guide. It was fascinating to learn about the first Australians using the currency of other nations to barter with, and even rum or alcohol when it was absent, before their own system was in place. There was such a shortage of coins - with the British government reluctant to send any more - that they cut holes into the coins to create the holey dollar and the dump. The 'holey dollar' being the original coin and the 'dump' being the centre of it cut out to form a second coin. This ingenious 'Buy one coin, get one free' concept was introduced in 1813, meaning it's bicentenary is being celebrated this year. 

                                            

                               Inside, watching the newly minted coins being poured into barrels ready for circulation

Australia became independent in 1901 and became responsible for its own currency, and the one they used followed the complex British system of 12 pence to a shilling and 20 shillings to a pound. In 1963, Australia switched to decimal currency and a nationwide debate led to it being renamed the Australian Dollar. By 1988, counterfeiting became such a huge problem that polymer (or plastic) notes were developed and introduced in the country. They are durable, hard to tear and can even survive a spin in the washing machine - the Bank of England should take note! In 1992, the rising cost of bronze led to Australia removing the 1 and 2 cent coins from circulation, meaning all prices in shops here are now rounded to the nearest 5 cents at the till. On a side note (if you'll excuse the pun), it was interesting to learn that the now defunct 1 and 2 cent coins were melted down and used to create the bronze medals for the Sydney Olympics in 2000 - an example of which can be seen during a tour at the mint. We really enjoyed this trip and would recommend it to anyone.

                                                           

                                                                        All the defunct 1 and 2 cent pieces were melted                     

                                                                        to make the 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medals

     

                                                             

                                                                                        The Polymer Australian bank notes

    

It was a second boiling hot day here (37oC at 1pm) and so we decided to check out the air-conditioned Canberra Centre shopping mall. It is a fantastic centre, crammed full of every store you can imagine including plenty of places to catch a bite to eat or sip a cheeky drink. I found a bargain cap for just 5 bucks, which became a staple item of my road trip wardrobe. And even if shopping isn't your thing, just walk out the back to check out the amazing view!

                                                                                 The awesome view from behind the Canberra centre!

This view can only be beaten by one other place in Canberra, the Black Mountain Tower, otherwise known as Telstra Tower. The tower is 195m tall, perched on Black Mountain at 812m above sea level, and the panoramic views make this the number 1 tourist destination in the state. It was quite an effort for Priscilla to make it up but well worth the slow ascent. Just $7.50 an adult to go up and you can even venture out to one of the open platforms, weather permitting. Unfortunately for us, the high temperatures were being blown in by high winds and  the open platform were closed for safety reasons. But the views - including one of a small bushfire - made it worth every penny, or cent should I say!

                                   Black Mountain Tower - or the Telstra Tower - in all its glory.
                           

This ended our stay in the nations capital, but we stopped off for one last scenic shot before heading towards Cooma where we would spend the night. On route, we topped up our fuel for the first time, which cost $63 with the petrol costing a relatively cheap $1.40 a litre. We also spied the first of the countless Kangaroo road signs we would pass on our journey - and which would eventually inspire a new tattoo idea for the future, to commemorate the road trip. Watch this space!

We were spending night #2 in the camper at Cooma Snowy Mountains Tourist Park, located in "The Snowies" which in the heart of an Ozzy winter, would be covered in snow. However, in the peak of summer, it was a barmy 36oC when we arrived. We paid just $24 for a powered site for the night so yet again, our small fan was utilised to keep us cool. At 2,228m tall, nearby Mount Kosciuszko is the highest peak on the Australian mainland and a magnet for skiers & snowboarders. It was the second steep climb of the day for Priscilla, and she definitely needed a rest. It was a lovely park to arrive to, near all local amenities of the town, and an onsite play ground, tennis court & trampoline. After all the frivolities, we set up camp for the second night and enjoyed our tea washed down with another Pure Blonde beer.

Camp for the second night

On day number 3, we go on the hunt for Platypuses and arrive at our first 'free camp' site - and what a breathtaking site it would be. Check out my next post for more info!