Canberra

Canberra: Things to do

Sophie Lamond

Canberra Insider

The manicured gardens of Parliament House, Canberra

"Look out for the hot apple cider and mulled wine on cold winter days."

Sophie Lamond

Canberra Insider

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Canberra Australia Australian Capital Territory

Nationalism

Canberra is bursting with destinations with "National" in the title (can I get a National Dinosaur Museum, anyone?). One not to miss in the sea of same-samers is the National Film and Sound Archives (NFSA) , housed in a beautiful Art Deco building on the fringe of the Canberra CBD. While the collection is worth a visit it has hidden pleasures too. The courtyard cafe The Studio, with shady trees and koi ponds is one of the most relaxing places to have coffee in Canberra.

The NFSA is mostly loved by Canberra locals for Arc. The Arc cinema screens film classics on Thursday nights, Saturday afternoons and Saturday nights, supplemented by special events at other times. The Studio opens an hour before each session for pre-film drinks and coffees. At $8-$9.50 a ticket, it's a cheaper night out than a trip to the multiplex and always better. Watch out for the Reel McCoy Film Society which puts on movies every second Wednesday.

Cheap eats

In the last couple of years the fringes of the city have been slowly developing and a surprising crop of restaurants and bars have popped up in City West. Try the fringes of ANU for a choice of cuisines. I can’t go past Shanghai Dumpling Café for ridiculously huge servings at crazy cheap prices. If you want to go a bit more up-market wander down to the New Acton (precinct for cafes, cocktails or a long boozy dinner). If you're really counting pennies and don't mind a stock-standard chain, Wagamama is packed with students schlurping down $10 noodles every Tuesday.

A budget option I love is to get a bit of takeaway and head to Parliament House. You can sit on the grassy roof and dine with the best view in town. You'll have to grab that glass of vino later, however, as this is a public spot and alcohol's not allowed.

Off to market

Capital Region Farmers Markets has two large halls with local producers selling fresh fruit and vegetables along with delicious cakes, pates, cheeses, gourmet meats, teas, coffee, flowers and spices. My heart belongs to the man who sells gourmet mushrooms; they come in variety packs and will contribute to the best fry-up you've ever had. Have breakfast at the markets or stock up on produce to eat later.

The forecourt of Gorman House Markets plays host to a variety of international takeaway food, including highly recommended El Salvadorian serving up hot and tasty bean and cheese filled pupusas with a smile. Inside there is a variety of second-hand clothes, books and CDs as well as handcrafts and art. The Gorman House complex is a hub for arts-related activities, so wander around the buildings and you'll often find an interesting exhibition or workshop to pop into. Make sure you drop into Canberra Contemporary Art Space, (CCAS), while you're there.

Check out Old Bus Depot Markets for more gourmet foodstuffs and handmade gifts than you have friends to give to. Look out for the hot apple cider and mulled wine on cold winter days. Afterwards, head over to Canberra Glassworks to see some glass blowing or take in the latest exhibition.

Got any more near the beaten track suggestions? Have your say using the comments form below.

Next: Where the locals dine

User comments

To everyone saying what a horrid, hateful place Canberra is, why don't you all shut up whinging about it and leave! All places have pros & cons, not sure any of us knows the address of nirvana - you just have to find somewhere to be happy.

Having lived in a megatroplis overseas for many years and being a country person and nature lover at heart this place is perfect for me. I love the parrots, the sunshine, the change of seasons, the flowers and trees, the small country towns with rodeos - and the brilliant stars on the edge of town. Restaurants and entertainment are not important to me since I love to cook and be at home working on my various projects and library. I get my entertainment at the outdoor markets where I get to meet and talk to a lot of characters. Of course any big city is painfully lonely if you don't have someone to love - that makes all the difference in the world - 'it's not where you live but who you live with" my mom always said.

Canberra has something for everyone, just like Sydney or Melbourne, though perhaps not as many options for each. What Canberra does have is an abundance of down-to-earth people that lack the pretenses that Sydney or melbournites do. I can say that - I have lived in all three cities. But what I really wanted to say, was that Canberra is brilliant if you enjoy the outdoors. Most of the commentary has been about cafes etc - but these are the same in every city. Canberra has amazing world-class mountain biking (Mt Stromlo etc), beautiful bushwalks, kyaks and sailing boats to hire, there's a fake beach on a beautiful waterway (Casuarina Sands), and it is less than 3 hours to the snow! Live a little.

appalling, drear, drug riddled, hard core porn, civil servants, military,aesthetically hideous but most of all soulless.

I am currently a teenager living in Canberra. As far as entertainment goes there is not all that much to do. There are no exciting places like there is in Sydney or Melbourne. Bands and singers rarely come here and there isn't much of a night-life. I have been to Melbourne many times and thoroughly enjoy every visit, but I'm sure it would be difficult finding new things to do every week if you lived there. However, Canberra is quite peaceful. Never at night have I been disturbed by traffic or woken up to the smell of exhaust. It has, arguably, one of the most gorgeous lakes in Australia (and I've seen some pretty amazing lakes) and also has an infinite number of parks. I must say, though, the public transport system here is rather shocking. Luckily, because of its size the longest amount of time it ever takes to go from Belco to Tuggerz (what the "locals" call belconnen and Tuggeranong respectively) is only ever 40 minutes.

Hi, I lived there for a whole year in my early 20´s and I felt like a retired person, so its good when you want a quiet place, but its the worst place for action. So you decide!

I understand about the many comments from those people who have only visited Canberra or are new arrivals living there now after living in a city of over 1 million people. What you need to know is that where ever you go in a new city, the society is going to be very different to that of another city. I live in Melbourne now and have been here for 20 years. I grew up in Canberra and have seen many changes in it since I departed at age 25. Like Melbourne, Canberra is a vibrant and active and for this to be discovered, a person just needs to get out of the house and explore. To entertain yourself, you just need to know where to go, just as you would here in Melbourne or in a few the of other large cities I've lived in - New York, London, Sydney, or the most lively and busiest 24 hour city I have ever survived, Tokyo. Yes, Tokyo in Japan. It is a very modern, vibrant and overcrowded city. The city has 34 million living in an area half the size of Melbourne. So, know where to have fun...

Canberra is beautiful. Everytime i visit there is something to do! I love it, ive been there 8 times and i still aint seen it all. Canberra is awesome! Anyone who is looking for a city-meet-country location, then the ACT is it. Your close to the mountains and good food and shopping qpportunities. Im moving from the Blue Mountains to Canberra because i prefer it more!

A hole. That is really all that is needed to sum up Canberra

I lived in Canberra from age three - eighteen. Growing up there meant I had a childhood full of running around, discovering, and playing in any public space without a worry in the world. I only ever went to my local public schools and the education I received was fantastic. I've been living in Sydney for the past two years and have heard Canberra receive a lot of criticism. It's true, compared to Sydney or Melbourne there isn't a whole lot of culture or entertainment. But if you put a bit of effort into the place you probably wouldn't be so pessimistic. I'm not sure how many Canberrans previous commentors have actually met, but the vast majority of the people there are kind and friendly, with an interesting story to tell. Like any city, it depends on where you go as to what you get. Being a young person looking for excitement and change, I wouldn't move back there any time soon. But I wouldn't diss it either. It is what it is.

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