I’ve been browsing the Victoria Government Gazette, as you do on a quiet Saturday afternoon. It’s an amazing historical resource.
Queen’s Birthday weekend
A long weekend is coming up to belatedly celebrate the Queen’s Birthday. I’m working on Monday, unfortunately, but we’re planning to visit Gumeracha and drive through the Adelaide Hills on Sunday.
Adelaide Parklands Rail Terminal
I went for a walk to the Adelaide Parklands Rail Terminal this afternoon. It’s about one kilometre from where we live at Mile End. The terminal is for interstate trains to Melbourne, the Indian Pacific and The Ghan. Suburban trains bypass the station. The terminal was built in 1984 as a dedicated long-haul passenger railway station when Adelaide Railway Station was redeveloped for suburban trains only. Adelaide is said to be the only city in the world where passengers can catch trains on two distinct trans-continental routes.
About Time
South Australia’s May history festival, About Time, continues this weekend. Last weekend, we enjoyed a visit to the Old Adelaide Gaol. We’re now looking for something else to explore.
Old Adelaide Gaol
We visited the Old Adelaide Gaol at Thebarton today. The gaol was the first permanent one in South Australia and operated from 1841 until 1988. It is now maintained as a museum and tourist attraction. It was a grey day, which highlighted the bleakness of the stone and brick building. Although a harsh place, the overall pervasive feeling was one of sadness at the broken lives which must have been lived there. The history of punishment was also on display, from floggings and picking oakum through to hanging.
