"We have been there a couple of times before and as usual went for a stroll down the beach after dinner to have a look at the night sky," reports Harrison, who was "amazed to see the waves 'glowing' along the beach intermittently as they crested before breaking."

For Harrison and his two girls Augusta, 6, and Annabelle, 10, the scene was as mesmerising as it was dazzling. "At times the glow was quite bright, as if someone was holding a lantern under the wave!" exclaims Harrison.

Returning the next night Harrison reveals he "could have stood watching for hours but the girls were so spooked that after fifteen minutes or so they wanted to go back to the cabin."

Upon returning to Canberra, Harrison googled 'glowing waves' and discovered that rather than it being "some sort of supernatural occurrence" as his girls has speculated," that it "looked like a case of bioluminescence caused by algae in the water."

"How common is this glowing?" asks Harrison, whose two girls wonder "if any other Canberrans have spotted this phenomena when on holidays at the coast?"

As marine science isn't your Akubra-clad columnist's area of expertise, upon receiving Harrison's report, I promptly tracked down Professor Gustaaf Hallegraeff, regarded one of the world's foremost experts on the spectacle.

Hallegraeff, an aquatic biologist at the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, confirmed it was highly likely the young family had indeed witnessed algal bioluminescence, but that it isn't as rare as many expect.

"The bright glow is caused by billions of single-celled algae or plant plankton called Noctiluca scintillans," explains the aquatic biologist, adding "when disturbed by waves or currents, the tiny cells flash causing an illumination in the water around them which is deployed to scare off predators."

Hallegraeff reports that the phenomena, "commonly referred to as 'sea sparkle' has expanded a great deal since first reported in Sydney Harbour in 1860."

"In the 2000's we saw it really move southwards and now it's permanently in Tasmania," explains Hallegraeff, adding "we have some evidence that ocean currents and the warming of the oceans have contributed to it — it's definitely a species that is showing a spectacular range expansion, especially in the last 20 years."

In fact, so prevalent are blooms in Tasmania that the good professor believes "there may even be potential to develop a tourism industry from people coming to see and photograph it."

One shutterbug who would agree with Hallegraeff is Leanne Marshall who snapped a series of incredible photos of sea sparkle at Rocky Cape National Park, in north-west Tasmania earlier this year.

"I wasn't looking for bioluminescence but when we arrived early in the afternoon we noticed a lot of pinkish/brown stuff in the water which we suspected was the bioluminescence," says the photographer who posted images of her chance encounter on her instagram account (@leannemarshall.

"In the day time it looks like a pinkish brown slime, but at night, once disturbed, it looks just like in the photos," she says.

According to avid nature photographer Peter Blunt, of Theodore, you don't have to travel to Gippsland or Tasmania to witness the dazzling phenomena.

Blunt, whose work "for many years involved snorkelling around Booderee National Park" has witnessed the stunning spectacle at Jervis Bay, describing it "as if the waves were on fire".

"It looks just like an array of stars underwater," marvels Blunt, adding "the aesthetics and excitement of seeing this underwater and then lifting your head up to view the Milky Way above is unforgettable."

One night while kayaking on Jervis Bay during a heavy algae period Blunt recalls "there were streams of silver trailing out from the bow of the kayak and lighting up with each paddle dip," adding "on putting my hand into the water it emerged clustered with diamonds like Michael Jackson's famous glove."

Wow, isn't nature amazing.

The stone blocks hidden under the abutments of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge (A Little Piece of Britain, June 17 aren't our city's only quirky tangible connections with England.

In fact, it could be argued that the origins of the Speaker's Chair at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) in Old Parliament House are even more notable.

The Royal Arms on the ornate chair, a replica of the Speaker's Chair in the House of Commons, Westminster, are elaborately carved in oak taken from the original roof of Westminster Hall, built way back in 1399 while the hinged arm rests are made of timber taken from Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, which saw service in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Really!

According to a spokesperson for MoAD, "The chair was officially presented to the Australian Parliament by the United Kingdom branch of the Empire Parliamentary Association in 1926, prior to the official opening of the (then) Provisional Parliament House. It represents the ties between England and Australia and reflects a history of continuity through the inherited Westminster system of Parliament."

This relationship was reinforced when the Speaker's Chair in the British House of Commons was destroyed during an air raid in 1941, and in response, the Australian Government paid for a replica of the Speaker's Chair at Provisional Parliament House and presented it to the British House of Commons in 1951. It was carved by British craftsmen out of Australian hardwood and had 'The Gift of Australia' inscribed across the back.

Fact File: The Speaker's Chair is on display in the House of Representatives chamber at the Museum of Australian Democracy, 18 King George Terrace, Parkes. Open daily 9am-5pm. More: www.moadoph.gov.au

Due to its significant heritage value, the chair is no longer used, although there is a replica chair, made by ABC Television in the 1970s and was used in the filming of The True Believers, that visitors can sit in.

Did You Know? The Speaker's Chair was crafted using traditional medieval building methods only – so no screws or screws.

Clue: Between Bukalong and Holts Flat

Degree of difficulty: Easy - Medium

Last week: Congratulations to Felicity and Andrew McWilliam, of Chapman, who were first to correctly identify last week's photo, as the thermal pool at Yarrangobilly Caves. The McWilliams just beat a hoard of readers, including Richard Townsend, of Greenway, Colin Brown ,of Isabella Plains, and Lynda McPadden, of Hackett, to the prize.

The historical photo, courtesy of the Tumut Historical Society, was taken 101 years ago and shows the pool with cement sides and the changing room in the foreground with weatherboard or lapped timber sides. The pool, fed by a thermal spring is supposedly a constant 27 degrees, even in winter, however, Peter Kercher, of Holt, reckons last time he swam there "it felt much cooler".

The caves and thermal pool are located within the northern section of Kosciuszko National Park, 6.5km off the Snowy Mountain Highway and 77km from Tumut and 109km from Cooma. If you live in Belconnen or Gungahlin, it's quicker to go via Tumut. For south-siders the road via Cooma is the best route.

How to enter: Email your guess along with your name and address to timtheyowieman@bigpond.com. The first email sent after 10am, Saturday June 24, 2017, with the correct answer wins a double pass to Dendy cinemas.

CONTACT TIM: Email: timtheyowieman@bigpond.com or Twitter: @TimYowie or write c/- The Canberra Times, 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick. You can see a selection of past columns online.