Travelogue of My Visit to Australia – Part II
(Continuation of my travelogue posted on 22.01.26)
Link to Part I : KNOWLEDGE SHARING: TRAVELOGUE OF MY VISIT TO AUSTRALIA -PART I
Visit to Canberra and Sydney
25.12.25 to 29.12.25
Journey from Melbourne to Canberra – 25.12.25
On 25th December 2025, we started our journey from Melbourne to Sydney by road, travelling in a car driven by my nephew. The driving distance between Melbourne and Sydney is approximately 878 km (546 miles), and the journey usually takes around 8 hours and 51 minutes.
As it was a long drive, we decided to take a break at Canberra, where we stayed overnight in a motel before continuing our journey.
Visit to the Australian Parliament House – 26.12.25
The next day, we visited the Parliament House of Australia in Canberra. Entry to the Parliament House is free, although visitors are required to undergo a security check at the entrance.
Australia follows a bicameral parliamentary system, consisting of two houses:
The Senate
The Senate is the upper house, representing the states and territories of Australia. It plays an important role in reviewing legislation and safeguarding the interests of the states.
The House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the lower house, where the government is formed. The political party or coalition that holds the majority of seats becomes the ruling government.
Both houses meet in separate chambers within Parliament House. This bicameral structure allows for detailed examination of legislation, ensuring that laws serve the best interests of all Australians.
Guided Tour of Parliament House
Daily guided tours of Parliament House are available free of cost. These tours usually last about 60 minutes and cover key areas such as the Marble Foyer, Great Hall, and the Parliamentary Chambers.
We joined a guided group tour, during which the guide explained in detail the architectural features, facilities, and functioning of the Parliament. She also took us inside both the House of Representatives and the Senate, explaining the seating arrangements and procedures followed in each house.
The Senate
The Australian flag is flying on top of the parliament
Visit to the Australian War Memorial – 26.12.25
After visiting Parliament House, we drove to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). The AWM is a national memorial, museum, and archive dedicated to all Australians who lost their lives in wars and peacekeeping operations.
Located in Campbell, a suburb of Canberra, the memorial complex includes five buildings and a sculpture garden. Most of the museum galleries and commemorative spaces are housed within the main Memorial Building.
Entry to the War Memorial is free. Inside, there are several halls depicting events from the First World War, Second World War, and the Cold War. The exhibits are both informative and deeply moving.
Notable sections include:
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The Roll of Honour, with engraved names of soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives
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Exhibitions displaying vehicles, tanks, and military equipment used during the World Wars
Visit to Sydney – 27.12.25
After spending two days in Canberra, we proceeded to Sydney on 27th December 2025. The drive from Canberra to Sydney was very scenic, with abundant greenery along the way.
The mountain roads had several hairpin bends, which reminded me of the drives through Kodaikanal and Tirupati hill roads in India.
Visit to the Kiama Blowhole
On the way to Sydney, we stopped at the famous Kiama Blowhole, located in the coastal town of Kiama, New South Wales. The name “Kiama” is believed to mean “where the sea makes a noise.”
The Kiama Blowhole is one of the town’s major tourist attractions. Under favourable sea conditions, the blowhole can喷 up to 50 litres of water, reaching heights of 25 metres (82 feet), often drenching nearby spectators.
There is also a smaller blowhole nearby, popularly known as the Little Blowhole. Although smaller, it is more reliable and can be equally spectacular due to its narrow shape.
A beautiful lighthouse is located close to the blowhole, adding to the scenic charm of the area.
We reached Sydney in the evening and stayed overnight in a motel.
Visit to Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach – 28.12.25
On the morning of 28th December, we had breakfast at my nephew’s friend’s house. From there, we travelled by train and then by ferry to visit the iconic Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre located on the foreshore of Sydney Harbour. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s most famous and distinctive buildings, and a true masterpiece of 20th-century architecture.
From the Opera House, we could also see:
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The nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge
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Large cruise ships
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Several ferries moving across the harbour
Many people were seen walking across the curved Sydney Harbour Bridge, enjoying the view.
Ferry to Sydney Harbour
Visit to Bondi Beach
After spending some time at the Opera House, we travelled by taxi to Bondi Beach, one of the most famous beaches in Australia. We visited the Bondi Surf Pavilion, where we spent some time and had our lunch.
The Bondi Surf Pavilion is a historic beachside building and a major cultural icon of Australia, along with the beach, park, and surf lifesaving club.
(Photos: Bondi Beach, Bondi Pavilion)
After enjoying the beach and lunch, we returned to our hotel by train and then bus.
Thus, on a single day, we had the experience of travelling by ferry, taxi, train, and bus 😊
To Be Continued…
As this post has become quite long, I will continue my Travelogue of My Visit to Australia – Part III, covering visits to other interesting places, in my next blog post.
