Canberra: A City Full of Surprises

Feeling arty?

You’ve dropped in at: The National Gallery of Australia, which has more than 165,000 works and includes Australia’s largest collection of Indigenous Australian artwork. Wander through world-class exhibitions and the impressive Sculpture Garden set on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin.

Why not visit: The National Archives of Australia. Explore Australia's history on display in the beautiful historical building that was the original Canberra post office. See documents, photographs, objects and multimedia in 'Memory of a Nation', a permanent exhibition tracking Australia's journey as a country.

Wrap it up thanks ...

You’ve done: The Kingston and Manuka shopping scene. These inner-south precincts are known for their dining, coffee-culture, boutique shopping options and excellent people-watching.

Now explore: Braddon’s boutiques and cafes. The inner-city suburb of Braddon continues to attract attention as it becomes known for its eclectic mix of homeware stores, vintage op shops, pop up art displays, fashion and design shops and restaurants, as well as the car yards from the suburb’s more industrial beginnings. Don’t miss The Hamlet, an urban food truck village on Lonsdale Street, and a paradise for foodies and market buffs.

Bloomin’ marvellous

You’ve enjoyed: Floriade. One million bulbs and annuals are planted and timed to bloom to create a stunning backdrop to the Commonwealth Park festival.

Relish the great outdoors at: The National Arboretum Canberra, with its 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Walk, drive, cycle or even horse-ride around the 250 hectare site, and enjoy the living artworks in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.

Delectable dining

You’ve eaten at: The Ottoman. Showcasing Turkish cuisine at its finest, Canberra’s most consistently awarded restaurant is a must for any gourmet visiting the nation’s capital.

Make a booking at: AKIBA. Voted Australia’s favourite restaurant in 2016 (Australian Financial Review Top Restaurants - People’s Choice Award), AKIBA brings the informal and exciting atmosphere of East-Asia’s great food halls and dining rooms to Canberra. The Pork Belly Buns are to die for and their cocktail list is both quirky and delicious.

A Fruity Finish

You’ve tasted: The wines of the Canberra District. The wineries in the region (and there are more than 30 of them within a 35 minute drive of Canberra) take advantage of the unique qualities of the environment to produce a wide variety of delectable wines – from Riesling and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

Drop in to the cellar door at: Four Winds Vineyard. This is the perfect place to pull up a chair over-looking the vines, glass of hand-crafted wine in one hand and slice of wood-fired pizza in the other. Settle in amongst the scenic vineyards, Four Winds Vineyard is an easy 30 minute drive from the Canberra city centre.

There’s a lot to love about Canberra. Whether it’s the wining and dining, iconic national treasures or beautiful scenery that takes your fancy, it’s simply one good thing after another.