The Mint and Regatta Point.

Show day today. Trish has booked us in for a tour of the Australian Mint at 1.00pm and early dinner at our hotel (the Crowne) at 5.00pm. This will allow plenty of time to eat and then walk to the theatre.

We decided on an 8.30 (leisurely) breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

After a very indulgent breakfast, we moved to the lounge area to revue the Tasmania itinerary. Most of the early part is sorted but the last few days in the east still need some work.

Headed off to the Mint in plenty of time. The tour explained the history of coin making and the changeover to decimal currency in 1966. From the walkway, we could look down at the various minting areas.

The first was where mint quality coins (untouched by human hand) are made. Each coin is made individually, one at a time, by a specialist operator. Each blank is inspected under a magnifying glass before pressing and again as a coin after minting - they have to be perfect.

The coins that are for general circulation are mass produced - each press making 700 per minute. Blanks are loaded from 44 gallon drums into a hopper by a robot called Titan.
He takes a bow to the observation window after each 44.

Typical of Canberra, another interesting attraction for visitors.

We were originally going to breakfast lakeside at Regatta Point until we realised breakfast was included at our hotel. We decided to go there for tea and scones after the Mint visit. So glad we did - great venue.

As we left we saw the Canberra and Region Visitor Centre next door. We went in and were treated to another surprise - a six minute video showing the beginnings and growth of Canberra.

Back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner at five.Read more