These concrete cylindrical bus shelters have become iconic landmarks in my home city of Canberra (Australia).

They were first seen on the streets in 1975 and are considered an example of ‘Brutalist Architecture’ with its no-nonsense design and lack of aesthetic embellishment.

Many of the 477 shelters originally installed remain on our streets. Sadly, most of them no longer sit on bus routes and stand as iconic sentinels. Some have become decorated with art; others are looking a little shabby. These things are built like bunkers and will probably survive the apocalypse.

Over the years a few somehow found their way to other places including two that were repurposed as public toilets in Surfers Paradise, Queensland (source).

Originally, the shelters all had perspex windows, and I remember that back when I was in high school, burning holes in them with cigarettes was a common occurrence. As was climbing on top to wait for the bus.

The shelter in my photos is only a short distance from my house and I pass it most days walking my dog.