Open House With The Governor General

The Governor General of Australia opens their grand house once a year to the general public, the hoi polloi, maybe a few bogans. Anyone can wander the grounds, walk through the house, imagine what it's like to be hosted by the closest thing Australia has to royalty.

The big, lush, green lawn leads to the big house.

Before heading inside, the grounds are a good place to wander, lots of paths and sculptures. "Everybody into the pool!" One day a year means a bit of a land rush to go through the house. "Stay away from the stubbies in the liquor cabinet!"

Big dining room. Sarah, looking at the name tags and thinking to herself, "They forgot the H in my first name and butchered my last name. Again."

Domestic details. Guest book, signed by some UK bigwigs, Chuck and Cami. Art with a nod to Aussie heritage, wool.

Back outside, a lovely day for rubbing elbows and downing snags.

The National Arboretum In Canberra

Apologies to the great Joni Mitchell, Canberra does have a tree museum. And they didn't have to pave paradise to build their arboretum. Quite the opposite, the arboretum sits on land heavily burned in bush fires and in need of natural help. Plant 10,000 trees and start a museum.

Grand entrance to the visitor center. Fun for families.

The center includes a nice cafe and a stunning view of the arboretum and all of Canberra. Cool playground, big acorn seeds around which to climb.

Big lawn, big fun. Good for wearing out children.

Oh, you want to see some of the trees, OK. Wattle season brings out lots of yellow blooms. Bonsai season brings out tiny trees. Wait, that's not right.

Instagram stop, a giant sculpture of squiggly script, titled, "Wide Brown Land." It's inspired by a famous Australian poem by Dorthea Mackellar, "My Country."