MONTE CRISTO 'THE MOST HAUNTED HOUSE IN AUSTRALIA'

MONTE CRISTO - JUNEE 2ND FEBRUARY 2015

The colonial mansion of Monte Cristo was built by Mr Christopher William Crawley in 1876 for his wife and family. Monte Cristo is recognised as the most haunted house in Australia with 10 resident ghosts. The ghosts of Monte Cristo have featured in many books and television programs such as 'The Extraordinary', 'Rove Live', 'Getaway' and 'Big Country'. Ghost Hunters International America have also visited Monte Cristo and proclaimed it to be definitely "haunted".
The property was purchased by its present owners Reg and Olive Ryan in 1963. Vandals had reduced this once magnificent homestead to a shell of it's former self. It has now been lovingly restored by Reg and Olive but still has a long way to go. We met Olive who introduced herself to us at the door and spoke to us after the tour. Olive has a lot of interesting stories to tell about the place and its resident ghosts. I was hoping to feel something or see something during my tour but it wasn't to be. Maybe I might just have captured one of the ghosts in my photos. Just maybe........

CANBERRA - 29TH JANUARY TO 1ST FEBRUARY 

Stayed at EPIC which stands for Exhibition Place in Canberra. It is like a huge showgrounds and provides good facilities quite close to everything. Started off with a visit to the War Memorial. The whole place is very moving and the museum is interesting and informative.Watched the 'G' for George animated display and saw the Hall of Honour with all the VC's. Visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and attended the last post which is held every afternoon at 5pm.

 Taken from the War Memorial looking towards Parliament House.

War Memorial looking down to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The road from War Memorial down to Parliament House is very impressive and well laid out. Went up to Ainsley Lookout. Good vantage point to see just how well laid out the capital is.
On Friday we visited the new Parliament House. You can book for a guided tour which is well worth doing as the guide is very knowledgable. We started with a tour of the Great Hall - the centre of the building and then the House of Representatives and then to the Senate. Parliament House has an original copy of the Magna Carta on display. There are portraits of all the Prime Ministers on display. We also walked on the roof and the view from here is impressive.

 Parliament House

We then visited the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery. Finishing our day we attended a ladies basketball game featuring the Canberra Capitals playing Adelaide at the Australian Institute of Sports Arena.

 Outside the National Gallery of Australia

 Looking toward Telstra Tower on Black Mountain

L

Lake Burley Griffen

 View from Telstra Tower Black Mountain

Saturday- Attended the Farmers Market at EPIC. Amazing it was huge. Every sort of homegrown and homemade type of food you could think of . The whole place smelled wonderful.
Later we went to the National Museum. They were featuring a Horse exhibition which was very good. We had a picnic lunch at Lake Burley Griffin and took a trip up Black Mountain tower for a coffee up the top to look at the view over Canberra.

Sunday - Bus Depot Markets - lots of homemade art and crafts and yummy food. There is also a glass workshop where you can see glass blowing demonstrations. We then went for a bike ride to finish the day.

PARKES AND BATHURST

PARKES -25TH JANUARY 2015

After a short stop at Peak Hill to look at the old Gold mine we continued onto Parkes and 'The Dish'. It looms large from a distance way and is very impressive up close. It was very interesting to see the two smaller dishes out the front and get an idea of how the large dish works by whispering into one dish and the other person can hear what you are saying from quite a way away. The information centre is well laid out and has a good cafe.

 

BATHURST

Took a drive out to Bathurst today from the park we are staying in in Orange. It was exciting to be able to drive on the racing circuit and up Mt Panorama. I never realised how steep this hill is and what a drop around a tight corner. It really made me appreciate the skill needed to navigate this circuit at such high speeds. Bathurst is full of many fine old buildings and terrace houses some needing a lot of work to bring them back to their former grandeur. Bathurst is the oldest inland Australian city being settled in 1815.  On the drive back to Orange we passed the jail. We could see the inmates in their exercise yards as we drove past. The weather in this part of NSW is quite cool even cold at night.

FROM NEWCASTLE NSW TO DUBBO

NEWCASTLE

Arrived in Newcastle on 20th January after spending night at Musselbrook and visiting a friend of Keith's from his navy days. Stayed at Bellhaven Caravan Park. Quite old and tired but Ok for a few days and quite close to town. First day we drove into town and walked along the beach and up to the Obelisk. Watched a ship get towed down the harbour and out to sea. Next day we went for a bike ride and took our bikes on the ferry over to Stockton. Fresh seafood for tea from place along the harbour.

DUBBO - 23rd January 2015

On the way to Dubbo stopped for coffee at a little place called Dunedoo. Apparently they thought of putting a giant dunny here but the locals voted against it - wonder why. Arrived at Popular caravan park small but close to town. Visited the Old Dubbo jail which is tucked in behind the main street. It was built in 1847 and closed in 1966. 8 men were hung in the jail between 1877 and 1944.  Next day we rode our bikes to Dubbo Western Plains Zoo. We listened to talks from keepers about rhinos, hippos and meerkats. We fed the giraffes carrots. The heat got to us a bit and we were exhausted when we returned to the caravan park.