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Exploring The ACT in Three Days

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With the distinct honour of being Australia’s only completely land-locked state or territory, the ACT and Canberra (Australia’s capital) have a distinctly different feel to much of the rest of Australia. But just because Australia is known for it’s sweeping coastlines, there is no reason to think that the ACT lacks excitement and thrills.

In fact there is plenty for you to do. Whilst you could easily spend a number of days in Canberra exploring Museums (The National Art Gallery for the serious art lover, The Australian War memorial for the history buff or Questacon for those with a love of the scientific and quirky), eating great food and catching some great live music, there is plenty to do outside of Canberra which you should investigate.

Your Itinerary

Off the bat, lets assume you have started your trip in the city of Canberra’- Australia’s Capital city. If you are here during Spring or Summer, do yourself a favour and see if you can force yourselves to get up early and go for a hot air balloon ride. From on high you can enjoy the sunrise over the Territory and can take in the views of the surrounding Australian Alps, Canberra and depending on where the wind takes you, maybe see into NSW or Victoria.

Once you’ve landed, jump back in your campervan and head for the Namadgi National Park, also known as the Australian Alps which extend through Victoria, The ACT and NSW. Not only do the Alps supply Canberra and surrounds with its drinking water, but it is home to

  • 160Km of walking tracks
  • Aboriginal Rock Art sites such as Birragai Rock Shelter
  • Extensive picnic and camping grounds such as Cotter Reserve, the highly reviewed Honeysuckle Campground and Casuarina Sands which is perfect to stop off at for a swim during Summer.

You can choose to go for a walk on the signed paths (you can buy maps), or can choose to get off the beaten track with a guided tour. We recommend allowing around 2-3 hours of time to take it all in, stop for a swim and a bite to eat before heading back to your vehicle.

Once back in the car, head over to Nicholls to check out the Walk in Aviary, which as the name suggests is an aviary you walk through. Home to some 600 birds from around the world, this is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with some of the most unique, beautiful and interesting birds in the world. Reasonably priced at $13 for an adult ticket, you can spend a couple of hours here easily and see great value for your money.

However, if birds are not your thing, then you could instead head to the Mount Stromlo Observatory where you can hear talks on everything from String theory to Aliens, to planet discovery. And depending on the time of year, you can organise to stay around to star gaze through the telescopes at predefined space phenomenon. To do so, we recommend you check the Stromlo Calendar out.

If you’ve not stuck around to star gaze, then it will likely be time to think about food and a drink for the evening. There are some amazing options dotted around the city which are really worth checking out – so take a look below for our list of top picks.

Day two is about a culinary journey and seeing the best of what the ACT has to offer.

Start with breakfast at Box Diner Café in Fyshwick (or see other options below) and make sure you get your fill as today is going to be a big one. On the agenda is wine tasting at a number of wineries and perhaps time for a beer tasting too. )We do ask you to taste and drive responsibly though. One designated driver is the safest way to go).

Sure, we know that when you think about wine tasting in Australia, you probably think of the Hunter Valley, Margaret River or the Barossa. But Canberra should not be overlooked as it is home to some of Australia’s top wines, and no less than some 30 wineries.

To start the day head North out of Canberra city for about 30 minutes to Gundog Estate. This winery is technically in NSW, but with much of their fruit sourced from within the ACT and with wines which deserve to be taken notice of, it is definitely a winery we recommend you visit first. Not only so you don’t miss out, but because it is the furthest from the city.

From there we suggest heading West to another NSW based cellar door at Clonakilla. With their Shiraz Viogner often lauded as one of the best in Australia, and with no fewer than 12 wines sold, it is another winery worthy of high praise.

We now recommend heading back into the ACT and heading to McKellar Ridge wines. Rated as a 5 star winery by James Halliday. With almost a dozen different varietals in their catalogue – from whites, through Rose to Red, there is something to enjoy for everyone.

By now you have probably had enough wine for a bit and want to satiate the senses in a different way – the perfect time to head to the Truffle Farm Canberra. Whilst it is not a low priced option it is something which few people get to experience which is why we do recommend it so strongly. In fact we are not the only ones, with Australian Traveller Magazine rating it one of the top 10 ways to live like a gastronome. If you finished wine tasting early, or if you have headed straight here and want an experience to remember, try the Truffle hunt and degustation lunch. You won’t regret it.

With that done, there may be time for a quick palette cleanser at BentSpoke Brewing co. which is home to 20 beers and ciders. From there who knows where the night will take you, but with a belly full of food and alcohol, we are sure it will be fun.

You could easily spend 5 days in Canberra without doing anything twice, but taking out the amazing mesuems, Houses of Parliament and memorials, there is still a lot to do. Find a local hire place and pick yourselves up a bicycle and see the best of Canberra from places cars cannot go. You can cycle around the Lake, ride up to the viewing deck at Mount Ainslie or check out the walking trail behind Parliament House.

Other things we recommend you try to make time for – depending on your tastes – include:

  • Tocumwal Lane in the city centre where you can view superhero-inspired works by leading graffiti artists
  • Take a walk around the Aboriginal Memorial
  • If you are there on a weekend, then make sure you get to the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston which is home to artisans selling clothes, accessories, food and art.
  • A visit to the Canberra Glassworks to watch glass blowing, shaping and the creation of mind bending sculptures.

Top Picks for food and drinks

  • Meating Room – Located in Weston, this café cum grill house meets bar is a must for those who love good quality pub style food in a fun atmosphere. It also does a cracking breakfast, so if you have time it is worth a stop here one morning too.
  • PJ O’Rielly’s – If your from the Emerald Isles and have a longing for home, or are just after something a bit different, stop by for a few beers and some decent pub-grub
  • Bar Rochford – This unique bar is one you will remember for a long time to come. Recently voted Australia’s Best Bar in the 2018 Gourmet Traveller awards, it oozes fun and is something to check out, especially if you like novel cocktails.
  • Parlour – If you have a hankering for some good wine and some Tapas, then go no further than Parlour. Consistently well reviewed by travellers and locals of all walks of life, this is a nice place to settle in for a few hours
  • Mocan & Green Sprout – Close to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, this cute indoor café is home to delicious inventive dishes and is a great option for a nice lunch.
  • Farmer’s Daughter – With converted sewing tables to eat from and cosy chairs to sit in, this is a nice place to start your day with a meal and a good cup of coffee. There is no need to rush, everything here oozes a nice relaxed vibe.
  • Pizza Artigiana – Serving up traditional Neapolitan style pizza’s in the South of Canberra, this pizza place is a must for those who love eating in a fun-filled atmosphere or for those looking for good food. It is great place to take kids as well.
  • Old Canberra Inn – If you want to enjoy a few drinks in a traditional style Cottage, then look no further. With a great range of artisanal beers and a constantly changing menu, no two visits to this pub are ever the same.
  • The Basement – This is the spot to go if you want to have a few drinks and listen to some cool live music or if you want to go sit in the beer garden and chill with friends

What Others are Saying

We like to help people out and have the best holidays around Australia possible. But don’t take our word for it, here’s what others have had to say.