The Cockington Green Gardens are nestled in amongst a score of other touristy places in Gungahlin, and worth a visit for anyone over two (although 2-5 is a dangerous age, because it's definitely not for touching). The level of care and craftsmanship is mind boggling.
My mum, sister and our three under-two-year old girls just visited Cockington Green for the first time in a decade – maybe even two decades. We'd long since forgotten how brilliant it all is. The level of craftsmanship and detail is mind-blowing, and there is oodles of humour in the scenes enacted around the miniature buildings (all of which are painstaking replicas of real houses or other buildings including castles and palaces and moats) – a tiny figure dangling from a roof; Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker standing awkwardly aside as EMTs attempt to resuscitate a prone figure; a Loch Ness Monster in one of the many water features.
There are several working miniature trains, including a steam train which we rode in.The toddler likes trains and was totally overwhelmed by the experience.
As adults, we especially enjoyed the new international exhibit – astonishing famous buildings from around the world, financed by their respective embassies.
We made plans to come back in a year's time (when the toddler will understand more of the humour, and Louisette and her youngest cousin will be into trains) and every year after that.
