Federation Walkway in Kings Park, Tourism WA
You don’t have to spend a fortune to see the best of Australia. Travel writer Lee Atkinson reveals her favourite freebie in each capital city. You can find more free and dirt cheap ways to explore Australia in her new app, Australia on the Cheap.
Sydney Freebie: Nicholson Museum
Nicholson Museum, Newtown Grafitti
It might be tiny, but this 3-room museum in a corner of the Sydney University Quadrangle is home to the largest collection of antiquities in Australia.
Most of the antiquities were collected by one of the university’s founders, Sir Charles Nicholson, although the museum has been added to over the past 150 years through the finds of various university archaeological excavations.
My favourite exhibit is on the Egyptian mummies, although there is a treasure trove of ancient pottery, sculpture, glass and tools from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Egypt and the Middle East.
Darwin Freebie: MAGNT
Tjanpi Grass Toyota, MAGNT/Duane Brown
The Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is free (and air-conditioned so it’s a great place to escape the heat), but even if it wasn’t, the museum would still be worth visiting for the Indigenous art collection and the cyclone Tracy display.
There is an excellent exhibition of Aboriginal bark paintings, a collection of stone axes (some of which are estimated to be 22,000 years old) and Tiwi Island Pukamani Burial Poles, as well as some great contemporary Aboriginal art, including a full-sized 4WD Toyota made from grass.
A highlight of the cyclone Tracy exhibition is the small, dark room where you can listen to a terrifying tape recording of the cyclone’s screeching winds. There is also TV footage from the day after it hit and photographs of iron roofs crumpled up like tissues on front lawns.
Keep an eye out for Sweetheart, a huge saltwater crocodile infamous for attacking boats at a popular Darwin fishing spot in the 1970s. Sadly, the 5-metre croc drowned while he was being captured, but his body is on permanent display.
Canberra Freebie: National Archives of Australia
National Archives, The Shopping Sherpa
If the idea of visiting a building that holds the records of all Australian government activities since Federation, as well as a huge amount of documents from the 19th century, sounds boring, then think again. The Australian National Archives puts together some great exhibitions that are well worth seeing, from Antarctic exploration to Royal Commissions, war, immigration and fashion. Expect to see letters, photos, books, bowls, guns, clothes and suitcases, among other things.
Queensland Freebie: Broadwater Parklands
Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast Tourism
Finding somewhere to take the kids on the Gold Coast (other than the beach) that won’t hurt the wallet can be a challenge, which is why I love the Broadwater Parklands, a fun 3-kilometre-long park at Southport.
Kids love the Rockpools, a collection of shallow wade-height pools with spouting water animals and waterfalls, a variety of pool areas and creek beds that fill and empty on timers, and jets that squirt water.
The Washington Waters Park at the southern end of the parklands has a variety of fun play equipment – like swings, a giant lizard, bike education track, monorail peddle bikes and a flying fox – as well as a special Liberty swing for children of all abilities. The jumping pillow is also sure to be a favourite.
You can also fish off the 100-metre long pier and enjoy a dip in the swimming enclosure, which has a jumping pontoon. This is patrolled by lifeguards from 8.30am to 4.30pm during school holidays and every weekend in summer. Picnic tables and barbecues are dotted throughout the park. www.gcparks.com.au
Melbourne Freebie: City Circle Tram
City Circle Tram, Kristina DC Hoeppner
A trip to Melbourne isn’t complete without a ride on a Melbourne icon: the tram. And the best way to get around the city is on the free City Circle Tram. The City Circle Tram route circles the downtown city area — Fitzroy Gardens, State Parliament, Old Melbourne Gaol, Spencer Street Station, the National Gallery of Victoria, St Pauls Cathedral, Federation Square and all the city sights – and includes a commentary of the city’s attractions.
The circuit takes about 30 minutes but you can get on and off as many times as you want. The trams are burgundy and cream in colour and the stops are specially marked.
Adelaide Freebie: South Australian Museum
Adelaide museum, SATC
The South Australian Museum features a wide range of permanent exhibitions including the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery – one of the largest Aboriginal cultural displays in existence.
Other exhibitions include the Footsteps of Mawson exhibition, which pays tribute to one of Adelaide’s greatest explorers and scientists, Sir Douglas Mawson; treasures from ancient Egypt; and lots of stuffed animals, fossils and other interesting stuff on display, although my favourite is the gallery dedicated to the giant squid.
Join a free guided tour of the museum’s highlights at 11am on weekdays, 2pm and 3pm on weekends and public holidays. Special interest tours also run at 2pm on selected days.
Hobart Freebie: Mt Wellington
Mt Wellington, Lee Atkinson
You haven’t been to Hobart if you haven’t been to the top of Mt Wellington.
Standing sentinel 1271 metres over Hobart and its harbour, the summit of Mt Wellington is just a 20-minute (very) winding drive from the centre of the city. The road to the summit is a popular downhill descent for cyclists, so watch out for bicycles on the road.
At the lookout on a fine day you can see the city spread below, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, east coast, the Derwent Valley, the south west and the Tasman Peninsula.
There are a number of walking tracks crisscrossing the mountain, but be warned, the wind is often cold so coats and warm weather gear are always needed. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see the top of Mount Wellington dusted in snow, even in mid-summer. www.wellingtonpark.org.au
Perth Freebie: Kings Park
Set beside the Swan River in the heart of the city, the 406-hectare (roughly 1000 acres) park is the heart, lungs and soul of the city.
A mix of bushland, botanic gardens, walkways and grassy lawns, it’s the place to go for lunchtime strolls and weekend picnics or barbecues.
In spring, the park is home to some of the most impressive wildflower displays in the state and in summer, an outdoor cinema. Don’t miss the Federation Walkway which extends 620 metres through the Botanic Garden along a combination of on-ground pathways and a spectacular elevated 52-metre glass-and-steel-arched bridge suspended amongst a canopy of tall eucalypts.
Free guided walks around the park are at 10am and 2pm daily, starting from the Aspects Gift Shop on Fraser Ave. A daily walk at midday is also available between 1 November to 30 June.
Lee Atkinson is the author of 11 travel books, including eight guide books and two apps on travelling in and around Australia. Her app, Australia on the Cheap is available from iTunes and Google Play.
