We are finally at Part 4 of 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra! There are so much to do when you visit Australia’s capital, Canberra that it is close to impossible to run of new attractions and activities! Whether it’s world-class wining and dining, iconic attractions or breathtaking outdoor activities, everything is just moments away. You may want to check out 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia Part 3 too!
76. Two Before Ten Cafe & Coffee Roasters for handcrafted coffee
Suburban gem Two Before Ten, located in Canberra’s north, is well known for its handcrafted coffee roasts – you’ll find their beans in cafés and restaurants all over Canberra. Go straight to the source and drop in for an inspired breakfast or lunch, while you enjoy the smell and taste of a stunning coffee prepared by professional baristas. The experience extends to their all day menu which combines fresh seasonal produce− including Black Russian and cherry tomatoes, figs, fennel, herbs, and other vegetables and fruits which are grown at their farm in Murrumbateman. Book ahead and discover the world of coffee roasting by attending their ultimate coffee experience each month.
77. Zierholz Premium Brewery – a taste of Germany
Built for the German beer-lover, Zierholz Premium Brewery is dedicated to creating the freshest, most flavoursome beer you’ve ever tasted. Their beer is hand crafted in Canberra using traditional brewing techniques to enhance its distinctive fresh taste. Because it’s locally made, it is as fresh as you can get. Try its beers at bars around town or head to one of its two venues, both boasting microbreweries. Call ahead to Zierholz At The Brewery in Canberra’s south and take a tour of the brewery, then head next door for beer and a German-inspired menu.
78. Cronuts and crazy desserts
Located in suburban paradise, Ricardo’s Cafe is a favourite with the coffee and cake set. With the most impressive, immaculately presented cake cabinet in Canberra, it’s worth a visit just to marvel at the sweet treats on offer (make sure to try one too). Their cronuts (croissant-doughnut hybrid with filling) are great, but if you want to try more than one cake or pastry, go for the French-inspired high tea option and try a bit of everything. Not only for the sweet-tooth, Ricardo’s also boasts an extensive breakfast and lunch menu.
79. Fine food in a rural setting at Pod Food
For a truly indulgent experience, Pod Food in Pialligo does delicious fine food in a gorgeous setting. Located in a quaint 1930s cottage, almost hidden away inside a nursery, their breakfast degustation is not to be missed. A focus on fresh, local produce and a knack for pairing wine with their menu has made this a favourite with locals. Bonus: it’s located only minutes from the Canberra International Airport, so make it your first or last stop-off of your trip.
80. Silo Bakery + Cafe offers a taste of Europe
Famous for its artisan breads and pastries, Silo Bakery + Cafe is a must-visit in Canberra, and for good reason. Located in Kingston, their breakfast menu is unbeatable and the lunch menu and wine list never disappoint. The a la carte menu offers a little taste of Europe – try the piperade omelette for breakfast or the Tarte Flamiche for lunch. Walk into their cheese room and discover an interesting collection of Australian and European farmhouse cheeses ready to take away or eat as part of a cheese platter.
81. Biodynamic food and wine at Lark Hill
Established just north of Canberra in 1978, Lark Hill Winery has been certified biodynamic since 2006. With two vineyards producing a rich selection of grapes, their blends are not to be missed – make sure to try the Exaltation (the collective noun for larks), which blends Shiraz and Sangiovese grapes. After a wine tasting, enjoy a long lunch on the deck at their cafe with a glass of their wine and look out over the vineyard. The Lark Hill menu changes regularly as they focus on regional, seasonal produce, much of which is grown locally and biodynamically.
82. A healthy breakfast with a view
You’ll want to visit this Kingston Foreshore café for the picturesque lakefront views as much as the food. The fit-out is great, with its large, central communal table and eclectic mix of chairs, cushions and knick-knacks on every shelf. The breakfast and lunch menus are seasonal and minimalist – the food is honest and nourishing and absolutely delicious. Make sure to try one of their cold-pressed juices. The must-eat at Local Press Kingston? The Green Breaky Plate: za’atar-coated boiled eggs with kale, salmon, quinoa, avocado, asparagus and goat’s cheese.
83. Urban Pantry – your all day eatery in Manuka
It’s an all-day affair at this modern cafe in Manuka with an amazing breakfast menu (try the brioche French toast or smoked trout tortillas) and great seasonal flavours served into the night. Urban Pantry’s delicately prepared menu showcases the many culinary delights of the region. As well as extensive dining options, you can also purchase gourmet and local ingredients used in their kitchen. Enjoy the rustic space with vintage floorboards, an earthy colour palate and an abundance of sun light, or step outside and dine under beautiful oak trees.
84. Robyne Rowe Chocolates
Learn about the art of making chocolate in the country rural setting of Murrumbateman, a 30 minute drive from the city centre. Owner Robyne Rowe uses only the finest Belgian Fair Trade couverture to create amazing chocolate treats including chocolates infused with nearby winery Clonakilla’s popular muscat.
85. Food festival showcases the world’s cuisine
The world comes to Australia’s capital during the three-day National Multicultural Festival in mid-February. Stallholders take over the city centre offering food, music and performance – an event that just gets more popular each year.
86. Join one of the 250 Truffle Festival events
The Truffle Festival is a 12-week celebration of the harvest of the Black Winter Truffle grown in the Canberra region (June to August). More than 250 individual events are held across the region offering the opportunity to taste and experience the prized truffle. Events range from gourmet degustation dinners, cooking classes and demonstrations, to wine tastings and matchings, farmers markets, truffle hunts and more.
87. Tip toe amongst the tulips
Each year more than 400,000 people pass through the gates of Commonwealth Park along Lake Burley Griffin to see attend Floriade, the month-long spring flower spectacular (17 September to 16 October 2016). More than one million spring blooms are mass planted and there is a program of festival activities including music, workshops and roving entertainment planned. The night time ticketed event, Floriade NightFest, offers a different take on the event with the floral beds lit up at night with a program of comedy, music and theatre available for five nights only.
88. British Museum brings 100 iconic objects to Canberra
The National Museum of Australia is bringing 100 iconic objects from the British Museum’s encyclopaedic collection to Canberra. A History of the World in 100 Objects explores human history from two million years ago to the present day. Canberra will be the only place in Australia to see this extraordinary collection from 9 September 2016 until 29 January 2017.
89. See treasures from Versailles
For the first time in Australia, audiences will see more than 100 masterpieces from some of the greatest artists of the 17th and 18th Centuries at the National Gallery of Australia exhibition Versailles: Treasures from the Palace. Nearly all the works have never been outside of France before and many have been specially conserved for this exhibition. Highlights include the marble bust of Louis XIV, Marie-Antoinette’s porcelain and the Gobelins tapestries. The exhibition starts 9 December 2016 and finishes on 17 April 2017.
90. See the capital’s buildings lit up in autumn
Canberra’s rich cultural attractions that hold the treasures of Australia come alive with late-night openings, spectacular architectural projects and a treasure trove of live events during the Enlighten Festival. Held from 25 February to 12 March 2017, discover a buzz of activity, live music, surprising performances, unexpected happenings and delicious night noodle markets.
91. Take part in the balloon spectacular
See a stunning array of hot air balloons of all colours and novelty shapes inflate at dawn and slowly drift over Canberra’s iconic national attractions during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular from 11-19 March 2017. Catch the action on the ground with live music and breakfast. You can also book a balloon flight and take part in the spectacle.
92. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
Once the seat of the corridors of power, Old Parliament House now allows visitors to go behind the scenes of the gracious 1920s building to learn about the dramatic events that moulded the nation. There’s an ever-changing selection of exhibitions and activities alongside permanent exhibitions about Australia’s Prime Ministers, democracy in action and the people’s place in politics. Visit the office overlooking the street from where former Prime Ministers Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and Bob Hawke ran the country.
93. Australian Institute of Sport
For a truly inspiring experience, you can’t go past the Australian Institute of Sport campus, the country’s premier elite sports precinct and the training, testing and research location of choice for many teams and athletes. Get an insight into what goes into making a champion athlete on a behind-the-scenes AIS Tour, which includes Sportex, an educational and engaging sports experience where you can try wheelchair basketball, rock climbing and football penalty shoot-outs.
94. Royal Australian Mint – it makes cents!
The Royal Australian Mint is where they make Australia’s cold, hard cash. Every coin in every pocket and every piggy bank across the country was made here in Canberra. The Mint has the capacity to produce two million coins a day and it’s amazing to watch all those coins being produced. Make sure to check out Titan, one of the world’s strongest robots, as it lifts blanks to pour into a hopper at the start of production, and finished coins that go back into a hopper to be counted, bagged and sent to the bank.
95. Handmade Markets
Visit Canberra’s award-winning quarterly Handmade Market which brings together talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all under one roof at Exhibition Park in Canberra. This beautiful indoor market was created to support Australian designers to showcase and sell their designs. Each event has more than 220 handmade designers selling their creations.
96. Capital Region Farmers Market
Be tantalised by the extensive array of fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, seafood, pastries, meats, cheese and more at Canberra’s premier fresh produce market. Visitors can see the region’s diversity reflected in the fresh seasonal produce at the popular Saturday morning Capital Region Farmers Market at Exhibition Park in Canberra.
97. Canberra Centenary Trail
For the hardcore walker, the 145km loop Canberra Centenary Trail passes many natural and man- made icons of the capital. You don’t have to do it all in one go, of course – it’s divided into sections so you can tackle it bit by bit, averaging 20km a day over a week. Combining urban and rural sights, it’s a walk for people of moderate ability that showcases the best of the Territory, and you can also do the trail by bike. There are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, so keep an eye out for wombats, echidnas and wedge-tailed eagles.
98. Bushwalking in Namadgi National Park
Expansive Namadgi National Park is abundant with wildlife, scenic views and great bushwalks. Managed in cooperation with local Ngambri leaders, the park is a wonderful place to explore the region’s Indigenous heritage. There’s a total of 160 kilometres of walking trails and plenty of ancient Indigenous art sites to discover, whether you’re hiking alone or with a ranger.
99. The Poacher’s Way – a gourmet trail
The region immediately surrounding the ACT offers world-class arts and crafts, historic towns and villages, spectacular manicured gardens, stunning nature and breathtaking vistas, gourmet delights and three wine regions all within 90 minutes from Canberra. Take the Poacher’s Way trail; developed by a group of people inspired by the land and life, the trail features a collective of businesses that offer diverse experiences including dining, cool climate wines, arts, crafts, bed and breakfasts, horse riding excursions and more.
100. Corin Forest offers alpine experiences close to the city
Less than 45 minutes’ drive from the Canberra city centre, Corin Forest comes into its own with snow play and tobogganing when the mercury drops. It’s the closest and most affordable way to enjoy winter without heading to the Snowy Mountains. Canberra’s only snow-based experience, Corin Forest allows you build a snowman with its state-of-the-art snow-making system. In summer Corin Forest can be up to 5 degrees cooler than in the city and is a great destination for driving, bushwalking and mountain biking.
We hope you enjoyed Part 4 of 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia. You may want to check out 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia Part 1 too! If you have done some of the above, do share with us your experience in the comments section below.
