Canberra Area Guide
Our Nation’s capital has a lot more to offer than politics, home to a thriving gourmet culture, some of the nation’s finest art and keeper of our history, staying in Canberra is a delight for the palate, mind and body.
There are 140 vineyards in the Australian Capital Territory, over 30 of which are within half an hour of the city of Canberra itself. Growing a wide variety of grapes and making some incredible wine, the Canberra District Wine Region is a must for any wine lover. You can’t go past the Poachers Pantry and Willy Trout Vineyard, not only can you taste some amazing wine, you can also pick up some of ACT’s finest food delights at the Poacher’s Pantry Deli. Don’t know what to get first, have a spot to eat at the Smokehouse Cafe on site, all their food is on-sale in the Pantry as well. If you prefer a cold beer to wine, Canberra can still amaze with two boutique micro-breweries. The Wig and Pen English Pub and Brewery is an English style pub that brews everything on site, serving some amazing food to boot. The Zierholz Premium Brewery is more modern setting for some impressive hand-crafted beers, also made onsite.
Within the city itself is a thriving dining culture, from fine dining restaurants to cafe dining, you can find amazing food at any time of day in any setting. While visiting Old Parliament House drop in to the Cafe in the House, with something to suit any appetite from amazing coffee to delectable steak by way of gourmet sandwiches its a perfect example of Canberra’s thriving cafe dining culture. Should you prefer to cook your own, with local produce of course, there are seven farmer’s markets within Canberra, the Old Bus Depot Market (on every Sunday) is by far the best place to source some amazing produce and delectable treats, not to mention hand-made crafts. Open every Sunday this indoor market is home to some two hundred stalls inside an old industrial building in Kingston.
If you’ve had enough to eat, Canberra is home to the nation’s art collection at the National Art Gallery. With a thriving art scene, there are smaller boutique galleries around Canberra in addition to the larger national collections. Indulge in some of our nation’s past with restored homesteads in the suburbs of Reid, Holt, Red Hill and Tharwa, and gain a unique insight into the life of our forebears. For a spot of politics, both old and new, you can visit both Old Parliament House and Parliament House, see how things have changed, or not, from 1901.
One of the more unique attractions in Canberra is located at the National Zoo and Aquarium. Book online for an opportunity to get up close and personal with the zoo’s cheetahs. These are the most cat-like of the big cats, and revel in the opportunity to play with visitors, don’t worry a keeper is on hand to keep you safe, but these amazing animals also love a stroke and maybe a cuddle. Cheetahs are the largest of the cat family to purr, its a truly unique experience to interact with these amazing animals and realize they really are just big cats!
There is an experience for everyone in Canberra, from fine food to the Australian War Memorial; our Nation’s capital is an experience waiting to be enjoyed.