Suburb #107 Capital Hill

So apparently Capital Hill in Canberra is a suburb....I am not convinced...but Parliament House open day seemed like a pretty good day to explore this part of my city so what the hell! And I certainly  was not disappointed...particularly on such a perfect Canberra spring day.

Capital Hill is where Parliament House (the new one) is located. This place was supposed to be named the Capitol according to Walter Burley Griffin's plans, but it was renamed as Capital Hill - after a period as Kurrajong Hill. The streets here are named after Australian capitals.

Alas again no suburb sign...not that I could find anyway, admittedly as I was on foot for this particular adventure I didn't check right around Capital Circle.

I started my journey on the Barton side and began my walk up the hill..

 

Unsure of quite where I was going, other than up towards the Parliament House flag pole...I continued up the hill and came upon the most gorgeous unexpected park, full of blossoms...

Up another staircase and the surprises kept on coming...

Such a gorgeous place - a little solemn given the numerous memorials - to those that died in Bali, on MH17 and while serving in Parliament - but nevertheless peaceful and beautiful.

But it was time to approach 'the house'!

Its not every day that you get greeted by smiling people and the Po Boys on the way in the door here....far superior an experience to when I come for work full of nerves....

Then it was through security into the foyer, which I have to admit is not to my taste...

But today was Open Day and there were so many other things to see...

Ever wondered how big the flags are from the flag pole!...large!

I could handle this being my dinner table...

The Cabinet room....shhhhh :p

A new friend...

Under the flag pole...

The House of Reps....

 Its amazing whose names you see around this place :p

Next stop was the Prime Minister's wing - which looks quite different since I last saw it (the Rudd era) - but alas no photos were allowed....

Then it was past the Press room and on to the numerous gorgeous courtyards around the building....

Before it was up to the roof for the amazing view!

Then it was a final stop at the Senate for a bit of pink...

Before leaving past the lego parliament house...

And grabbing a cupcake on the way :)

And then wandering back down the hill. What an epic day :)