Getaway Freebies Pt II

Thursday, December 5, 2002

We have more holiday ideas and things to do that won't cost a cent. That's right — it's all FREE!

CANBERRA TOURS

High Court of Australia
Parkes Place, Parkes 2600
Tours run Monday to Friday between 9.45am and 4.30pm
Ph. (02) 6270 6811 www.hcourt.gov.au
National Archives of Australia
Queen Victoria Terrace, Parkes 2600
Open seven days for self-tours from 9am to 4.30pm. Prior arrangements for groups can be made.
Ph. (02) 6212 3600 www.naa.gov.au
Parliament House
Canberra 2600
Free tours run every half hour every day from 9am to 5pm.
Ph. (02) 6277 5399 www.aph.gov.au
Royal Australian Mint
Denison Street, Deakin 2600
There are three tours each week day from 9am to 4pm. They run on weekends and public holidays from 10am.
Ph. (02) 6202 6999 www.ramint.gov.au
Australian War Memorial
Anzac Parade, Campbell 2612
There are free tours every day
Ph. (02) 6243 4211 www.awm.gov.au

GOVERNMENT TOURS

Sydney - Government House
Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000
Tours run every 30 minutes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 3pm.
Ph. (02) 9931 5222
State Parliament House
6 Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000
Tours of the Upper and Lower House chambers (except on sitting days) are available between 9.30am and 4.30pm on weekdays.
Ph. (02) 9230 2111
Brisbane - Customs House
399 Queen Street, Brisbane 4000
There are free guided tours every Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Ph. (07) 3365 8999
State Parliament House Alice and George Streets, Brisbane 4000 Tours are available on non-sitting days to the Upper and Lower House chambers on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Weekends 10am to 1.30pm. Ph. (07) 3406 7562
Melbourne - Melbourne Town Hall Tours
Swanston and Collins Streets, Melbourne 3000
They offer free tours at 11am and 1pm each weekday and on the first Saturday of each month at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm. Please book the day prior.
Ph. (03) 9658 9658 www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
State Parliament House
Spring Street, Melbourne 3000
Tours are available on non-sitting weekdays at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 2pm, 3pm and 3.45pm. Bookings are required for groups of more than six.
Ph. (03) 9651 8568
Adelaide - Adelaide Town Hall
128 King William Street, Adelaide 5000
Bookings one week in advance for Monday tours between 10am and 12noon.
Ph. (08) 8203 7203 www.adelaidetownhall.com.au
State Parliament House
King William Street and North Terrace
Adelaide 5000
Free tours on non-sitting days Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm, but the public is welcome to view parliament on sitting days if space allows.
Perth - Perth Town Hall
Barrack and Hay Streets, Perth 6000
Tours are by appointment 24 hours in advance from Monday to Friday.
Ph. (08) 9461 3444 www.perth.wa.gov.au
State Parliament House
Harvest Terrace, West Perth 6005
Free tours are offered on Mondays and Thursdays at 10.30am.
Ph. (08) 9222 7222
Hobart - State Parliament House
Murray Street, Hobart 7000
They offer tours on weekdays at 10am and 2pm, except sitting days and public holidays.
Ph. (03) 6233 2200

ROTTNEST ISLAND, WA

Rottnest Island Voluntary Guides Association takes daily walking tours which last one hour. Visitors can also walk, cycle or take a train along the Oliver Hill Battery Heritage Trail. The Visitors' Centre is open from 8am to 5pm each day. Ph. (08) 9372 9752 www.rottnest.wa.gov.au

MELBOURNE GREETERS, VICTORIA

See the parts of Melbourne you want to see, or don't even know about. Ph. (03) 9658 9658 www.thatsmelbourne.com.au or email: greeter@melbourne.vic.gov.au

ART GALLERIES

Art Gallery of New South Wales,
Art Gallery Road, the Domain Sydney 2000
Open 10am to 5pm each day. Free guided tours every day. Free Aboriginal music/dance Tuesday to Saturday at noon. (Charges apply for some exhibitions).
Ph. (02) 9225 1744 www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
Melbourne - National Gallery of Victoria
Federation Square
Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne 3003
Open 10am to 5pm each day and admission is free.
Ph. (03) 9208 0203 www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Brisbane - The Queensland Art Gallery
Melbourne Street, South Brisbane 4101
Free admission, except to special exhibitions, weekdays from 10am to 5pm and weekends 9am to 5pm.
Ph. (07) 3840 7303 www.qag.qld.gov.au
Adelaide - Art Gallery of South Australia
North Terrace, Adelaide 5000
Free admission to permanent exhibition each day 10am to 5pm.
Ph. (08) 8207 7000 www.artgallery.sa.gov.au
Perth - The Art Gallery of Western Australia
Perth Cultural Centre
James Street Mall, Perth 6000
Open 10am to 5pm every day and free except to special collections.
Ph. (08) 9492 6600
Hobart - Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
Free admission from 10am to 5pm daily.
Ph. (03) 6211 4177
Canberra - National Gallery of Australia
Parkes Place, Parkes 2601
Free entry to the permanent collection from 10am to 5pm every day.
Ph. (02) 6240 6501 www.nga.gov.au

WALKS

Sydney: One of Sydney's most beautiful walks is along the winding coast road linking Bondi and Bronte beaches. There are cafes at both ends for a pick-me-up.
Brisbane: The 5km Brisbane River Walk starts at the Regatta Hotel in Toowong, along Coronation Drive, over William Jolly Bridge to South Brisbane and past the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. You then follow the riverside walkway along the South Bank promenade, over the Goodwill Bridge, around the Queensland University of Technology and into the beautiful Botanic Gardens. Another kilometre further on takes you to Eagle Street Pier where markets are held each Sunday. www.ourbrisbane.com
Melbourne: St Kilda Walk passes the beach, Luna Park, Acland Street with its famous coffee and cake cafes, to St Kilda Marina and finishing at Bay Street in Brighton. The 6km walk is along a designated foot/bike path beside the water. The Esplanade Markets are at St Kilda every Sunday. www.melbournesbays.org www.visitvictoria.com
Perth: The Bridges Walk starts at Barrack Square and heads towards Narrows Bridge. You pass the Old Mill, cafes at Mends Street jetty and great views of the South Perth foreshore. At the two bridges crossing the Swan River at Heirisson Island you will see the resident kangaroo. Then it's time to head back to the city alongside the Swan River.

MESSENGER