Suburb #5 - Beard - the reboot edition

The fifth suburb that I visited back in 2014 was Beard - a suburb that I didn't even know existed at the time. There wasn't much to photograph then, so I was wondering if this had changed...

Beard wasn't established until 2009.  Apparently only three people live here....it is also referred to as Fyshwick East Industrial Estate. 

Abattoirs operated in Beard from 1944 to 1997, so not somewhere I was overly keen to visit as a vegetarian. But it is now an industrial estate..

Not a lot seems to have changed since I last visit.

It is still a desolate place...which largely seems to be utilised by people doing burnouts...

But at least it has a real suburb sign now, not just the fake one..

There are also some plants and animals trying to survive amidst the industrial landscape...

And the street names are still pretty cool :p 

There is also always still a friendly reminder that you are still in ye olde Canberra town :) 

Suburb #4 - Oaks Estate - the reboot edition

Some time ago before winter bitterly descended on Canberra, I had a lovely walk around suburb number four, which was Oaks Estate. While this suburb has a somewhat mixed reputation, I think it is fabulous so I was looking forward to this one.

Oaks Estate - although a place of much history - was officially established as a suburb in 1984, but actually predates the ACT by about 80 years. Less than 400 people live here.

Like last time, I started my walk at Gillespie Park in the centre of the suburb, but this time it looked even prettier in autumn colours.

Oaks Estate was not part of the Canberra plan and certainly feels completely different to the rest of the ACT. It is almost like a small country town albeit only 15 minutes from the rest of Canberra. It has a different feel to it and is just full of history...with many of its buildings dating from the mid 19th century. I was also pleased to see that its heritage listed bus stop is still standing :)

I decided to take a walk down and along the Queanbeyan and the Molonglo rivers...

At first I was a bit worried about what I was walking in to...

But I was glad I persevered....past the bridge over the Queanbeyan River. It was such a beautiful day to walk along the riverbank and I felt like I was in a completely different world.

And soon I found myself in a sea of brilliant yellows....

Heading back up the stairs from the river bank, it was like someone had rolled out a yellow carpet just for me.

And there were interesting plants everywhere I looked...

It started to get a bit chilly as I headed back up the hill to the main part of the suburb...even the poles were rugged up ha ha.

Alas the actual old estate is private and out of bounds...

But I love that the locals seem proud of their history and strong in the face of clear neglect from the ACT government. I was pleased to see the new public toilets in Gillespie park since my last visit - but apparently even a federal government grant was required to build these.

In many ways, Oaks Estate really is a hidden and neglected world behind Queanbeyan train station...

Where you can stand with a foot in NSW...

But I do think that is what makes it kind of special....and the locals are certainly not giving up. The bottle shop is still there...and is now accompanied by an Indian takeaway food outlet. Plus there is lots of new colour and life everywhere :) 

Maybe its not really Canberra - but its canberrability rating is high :)

Suburb #3 - Narrabundah - the reboot edition

Reading my original Narrabundah blog entry made me giggle. Clearly, I wasn't that excited by Narrabundah the first time around, but I must admit I was really looking forward to my visit this time. I really like this suburb - even if the gimp room no longer exists ha ha - it is like a funky Kingston with more retro houses, hills and a good vibe.

Narrabundah was established in 1947 and now has a population of more than 6,400.

I started my walk at the local shops - where the birds everywhere reflect the name of the suburb, which means bird of prey in Ngunnawal, and even the toilet wall is filled with gorgeous art :)

I don't remember this being across from the shops...

Last time I think I also missed some gorgeous walks through tall trees, filled with autumn colour...

And the wonderful wetlands in the corner of the suburb...

I love all the gates, arch ways and colour in Narrabundah...

And the high performing spiders...

And its funky fun retro vibes...

The views from the top of the suburb are gorgeous, particularly in autumn...

Perhaps this house wanted to make the most of the views...

Alas soon it was time to return to the shops and bring this Narrabundah adventure to its end...

But I am looking forward to a turn trip this week to bid the fabulous XO restaurant good bye before they shut *sobs*, and I also want to try Kita which has been recommended to me.