It’s been a while since I have driven Canberra’s neat and tidy parliamentary ring roads. Everything feels spacious and the public spaces have a ‘unlived in’ vibe. I remember when Parliament House first opened, but this is my first time inside and past the airline-style security. I sneak a peek at The Parliament House Great Hall Tapestry, which was designed by Australian artist Arthur Boyd. It’s one of the largest tapestries in the world, and I vow to sign up for a tour next time I’m in town. On level two, the Queen’s Terrace Cafe takes up quite some space at the front of The House. Due to this, the view from any of the cafe windows is to the back of Old Parliament House, up Anzac Parade, and to the War Memorial in the distance. The large modern cafe doesn’t quite spill out onto a terrace, but the extensive terrace can be accessed through a secure door that is testimony to the extremes in weather in the capital – or would that be security? The scones look more like bread rolls than scones, and unfortunately taste as dull as they look – bland and dry. Is it because it’s close to closing time that the scones are dry? The blackberry jam is better than your ordinary, and the thick cream tastes more like mock cream than whipped fresh cream, but nonetheless is good. Combine a cafe visit with a tour of Parliament House, several types run daily.

Scones:  

Jam: 

Cream:

Tea: A small range of T2 silk tea bags served in a small teapot.

Price: $$

Overall: Handy after a tour of the House, inconvenient otherwise.

Location: Parliament House, Parliament Dr, Capital Hill ACT 2600 Ph: 02 6277 5239 aph.gov.au

Reviewed November, 2017