Canberra
Discover the home of the Australian Story in Canberra, where national attractions and hidden gems deliver an array of unexpected delights. The city’s national museums and attractions hold and share the treasures of our nation. See our country and people through the eyes of our artists, and experience Australian character through sound and film, books and exhibitions.
Celebrate Australia’s proud sporting achievements, delve into our political history, Indigenous culture and reflect on our young nation’s experience on the international stage. Home to 347,000 people, Canberra is one of the world’s few planned cities, a city in a park, with a kaleidoscope of colours and experiences turned by the changing seasons. Immerse yourself in the true nature of the native bushland that cradles our city and reveals unexpected delights among the leafy surrounds including stylish restaurants, hip bars, boutique shopping, fun for the kids, great outdoor fun and a busy calendar of events and festivals.
The surrounding region offers more than 30 wineries, historic townships, quiet coastlines, the lush southern highlands and the alpine roof of Australia.
Accommodation
Activities
Scenic Highlights
Namadgi: a national park of riches
Follow the Yerrabi Walking Track into the rugged Bimberi wilderness, home to some of the least disturbed eco-systems in the Australian Alps. Or explore forests of snow gum and alpine ash on the Square Rock walking track. Four wheel to the top of Mt Coree, fish from trout-filled streams and cross-country ski the winter slopes. See kangaroos, wallabies and northern corroboree frogs and explore snow-gum woodlands, wetlands and wildflower-cloaked plains. See the campsites, ceremonial stone arrangements and rock art sites left by the Ngunawal people thousands of years ago. Then trace the trail of pastoralists and gold hunters and see the memorial to the Apollo space tracking station at Honeysuckle Creek.
Food and wine: on the Poachers Trail
Follow the Poachers Trail to some of the 140 vineyards and 33 wineries dotting the tranquil countryside just outside Canberra. Take a gumboot tour through the vineyards and learn about the factors that shape the region’s diverse styles – from sangiovese to riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz. Stop in at a farm for cheeses, oils, chutneys, jams, wood smoked meats and homemade wine. Or team a bottle of last year’s vintage with a wood-fired pizza at a
winery. Visit local studios and galleries showcasing handmade art, glassware and pottery. At the end of the day, rest your head in a boutique bed and breakfast, historic homestead or a luxurious country retreat.
Sports galore: to watch or play
Tour the Australian Institute of Sport with an elite athlete. You can even test your skills at virtual rowing, wheelchair basketball and football at the interactive Sportex exhibition. Watch Canberra’s top rugby league and union teams sweat it out at Canberra Stadium or see a cricket or Aussie rules game at the historic Manuka Oval. If you are a motorsport enthusiast, there’s the annual Summernats car festival and the Subaru Rally. Itching to play some sport yourself? Tee off on one of Canberra’s outstanding golf courses, where kangaroos laze in the grass while you play. Or go paragliding, sky diving, bushwalking, abseiling, caving, canyoning and mountain biking in the bushland of Canberra Nature Park.
Activities
- Paddys River Road. See koalas, emus, kangaroos, the endangered brush-tail wallaby, reptiles, possums and echidnas in a natural setting. This unique outdoor attraction also features high quality exhibits and boardwalks.
- Cockington Green Gardens Explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens. See highly detailed miniature buildings and magical landscaped gardens. Take a miniature steam-train ride. Marvel at detailed replicas of actual buildings
- Gallagher Wines The vineyard was planted in 1995 with Chardonnay and Shiraz. It is located in the Hall-Murrumbateman area, overlooking the Burrunjuck Dam valley. Award winning Chardonnay and Shiraz is produced here.
- ANCA Gallery (Australian National Capital Artists Inc.) A diverse range of contemporary visual arts, craft and performance. Program changes fortnightly.
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