lean timms

Canberra Australia | A Guide

On Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri country

I love my home city of Canberra! It’s an unassuming place, full of fun, four beautiful and distinct seasons, quality over quantity, culture, friendly faces and an incredible hospitality scene…

I thought it time to update my Canberra guide and share it with you, so that you can come and enjoy it too!

Canberra has also just became one of Tourism Australia’s #Australiarecommends spots for 2024. Exciting! I guess that means the secret is out!

Here are my answers to a recent Q&A with the Tourism Australia team:

TA: Why would you recommend Canberra as a must-visit spot for 2024? 

Lean:  Canberra to me is one of Australias best kept secrets. Blink and you’ll miss it, but arrive eyes open and you’ll be rewarded with a very special little city that’s full of gems. It’s an unassuming city that will leave you feeling nourished by culture, nature, and hospitality. 

TA: What is so unique or special about Canberra that international travellers should have it on their bucket list? 

Lean: Quality over quantity. For a small city, Canberra packs a punch, which in my books means less time navigating crowds, traffic and decision making, and more time enjoying the good things. You don’t have to go far to find a fierce hospitality scene, some of Australia’s most prestigious galleries and museums loaded with culture and design, plenty of fun outdoor activities, and all surrounded by or within close proximity to beautiful Australian nature. 

TA: From annual festivals to a precinct of world class museums and art galleries, Canberra is full of must see experiences that will give you a taste of Australia's culture and leave you feeling inspired. Did Canberra leave you feeling this way? If so how? 

LEAN: I always feel inspired in Canberra. For me it has a lot to do with a city coming of age, steadily leaving behind the tired story that most Australians conceived as kids on the classic school excursion to our capital. The new Canberra feels more like pride and delight, a strengthening community identity and spirit. Canberrans are open, curious, energetic and inclusive. This culture undergirds so much good practice here. There’s the increasing thunder of a roaring creative scene. There’s the top notch cafes and restaurants and the world class service within those establishments that always make me feel so welcome, and loved, and at home. In terms of Australian culture, I’m inspired by Canberra’s deepening awareness and pride in our First Nations history, along with the fun nods everywhere to modern Australiana, and the encouraging spaces for new ideas and fresh cultural perspectives to grow. 

TA: What experience/ tour / or attraction would you recommend and why? 

LEAN: How about my perfect day out in Canberra? 

Start with coffee and brekkie at Intra (if it’s a Thurs/Fri/Sat make sure you get an Under Bakery Cardamom Bun) followed by a walk or scoot around the inner basin of Lake Burley Griffin to the National Portrait Gallery (my personal favourite). Either Rebel Rebel for a sit down lunch, or Sandoochie for something a little more drop in/casual. A stroll up Lonsdale Street to pop into some local boutique stores, followed by a walk on Ngunnawal country up to Mount Ainslie to watch the sunset. Dinner out at one of my top three favourites (I can’t choose so you’ll have to) Bar Rochford, Such and Such or Onzieme.  

TA: What is your hot tip for Canberra? 

A:  Plan your trip around the sensorial joy of four distinct seasons - something quite unique for an Australian city. Brisk winters draw you into cozy wine bars and deliver plates loaded with black truffle and if you’re lucky, a view of snow on the Brindabella’s. Spring means flower festivals, longer days and fresh produce at the farmers markets. Summer means early morning bike rides, picnics by the lake and afternoon sessions at the brewery or near by wineries. And Autumn sees the city burst into a rainbow of colour - hot air balloons in the sky, fallen leaves on the ground and some of the best sunsets you’ll see.

Here are some of my favourite photos of Canberra, along with my favourite things to eat, drink and do (in alphabetical order).

Eat/Drink:

11e Cave
Bar A Vin. Drinks underground. Find the Red door.
5/39 Kennedy Street, Kingston

Arc
Breakfast, lunch and great design.
1 Constitution Ave, City

Barrio Collective Coffee:
The place you go if you really love coffee and want to feel like a local.
28 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, ACT 2612

Bar Rochford:
Favourite place in town. Go fall in love.
1/65 London Circuit, Civic, ACT 2601

B-SIDE
Intra’s sister spot. Cafe and wine bar - all day perfection.
01/35 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Canteen by Ramen Daddy
Japanese soul food.
Dairy Road, Fyshwick

Capital Brewing Co.
Quality brews. Burgers from Brodburger, too.
1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick

Dear Prudence
Wine Bar (part of food precinct including Verity Lane Market)
Sydney Building, 100 Alinga St, City

Intra PRVN
Excellent coffee and the home of the kimchi jaffle
30/12 Provan Street, Campbell

Louis
Classic European bistro. Menu designed by Chef, Ben Willis.
18 National Circuit, Barton

Margot
Espresso. Vin. Fromage. On the lake.
West Kiosk, Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes

Miss Van’s
Modern Vietnamese eating house.
113/199 Marcus Clarke Street, City

Mocan and Green Grout:
The O.G of New Acton’s food and design scene. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
1/19 Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton

Onzieme
Hyper seasonal, ever changing, ridiculously delicious menu, by chef Louis Cattoupes
5/39 Kennedy Street, Kingston

Paranormal Wines
Out of this world natural wine shop and bar  
Provan St, Campbell

Pilot
One shot at a very special dinner? Go here.
1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie ACT

Rebel Rebel
The genius of chef Sean McConnell in full force.
Shop 21-23 Marcus Clarke St, New Acton

Sandoochie
Fresh and toothsome sandwiches.
No Name Lane, City

Some Café
The most delightful country café and gift shop. Just 40 minutes out of town up the highway.
Murray St, Collector

Such and Such
Day and night wine and dine. All of it fun, all of it yum.
220 London Cct, Constitution Place, City

Under Bakery
Outrageously good bread and buns. Don’t miss their Swedish bullar (also at Intra & Barrio Thurs/Fri/Sat).
Crr Brigalow and Wattle Streets, Lyneham

Verity Lane Market
Elegant food hall with lots of yummy vendors
Sydney Building, 100 Alinga St, City

Wineries / Cellar Doors
No cellar door but find them around town: Mallaluka, Ravensworth and Vino Friendo.
Cellar Doors: Haywood by Nick O’Leary (also an excellent restaurant), Clonakilla, Yarrh Wines and Four Winds.

DO:

Australian National Botanic Gardens
A favourite place to wander and get your garden nerd on
Clunies Ross St, Acton

Balloon Aloft
Go fly in a hot air balloon!

BlocHaus Bouldering
Canberra’s bouldest bouldering gym
Dairy Road, Fyshwick

Capital Region Farmers Market
Best regional farmers market you’ll find and where I do my weekly food shop – Saturdays 7:30 – 11am
Exhibition Park, Access Via Old Well Station Road, Mitchell

Flow Yoga Canberra
Yoga classes in a gorgeous space
Dairy Rd, Fyshwick

Go Boat:
Danish designed picnic boats for exploring and enjoying the lake.
Trevillian Quay, Kingston ACT, 2604

Haig Park Village Market
Wonderful Sunday market at the end of Lonsdale St. Sundays 8am – 2pm
Haig Park, Braddon

MOAD
Turn back time and step into the history of some classic Australiana. Also, I adore the rose gardens.
18 King George Terrace, Parks

Mount Ainslie and Black Mountain Nature Reserves:
The calm and quiet of the bush on either doorstep of the inner north. Perfect for walking or running. Views for days.  

National Arboretum:
For the tree lovers, and the best kids playground in town.
Forest Drive, off Tuggeranong Parkway, Weston Creek, ACT, 2601

National Gallery of Australia:
An iconic piece of Brutalist architecture constantly featuring world class exhibitions. While you’re here, take a walk through the sculpture garden and spend a bit of time in the James Turell ‘Sky Space’.
Parkes Place E, Parkes ACT, 2600

National Library of Australia:
Another iconic building. The bookshop is of particular interest and has a rad collection of Judy Horacek cards and all those quality literary magazines that nobody else seems to source.
Parkes Place W, Parkes ACT, 2600

National Portrait Gallery:
Home to the National Portrait Prize, an outstanding collection, and great café/gift shop.
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT, 2600

Scoot/ bike/ walk around Lake Burley Griffin

Namadgi National Park
Just under an hour’s drive south from the city. Scenic nature walks in our alpine region. Start early and take a picnic. If it’s hot, have a dunk in the Murrumbidgee River on your way back into town.

The Truffle Farm
Go hunt for black truffle!
23 Mount Majura Road, Majura

Thunderstone Aborginal Cultural Services
Take a tour on country with Tyronne.

SHOP:

Ainslie IGA
Best stocked little supermarket in town.
9/11 Edgar Street, Ainslie ACT, 2602

Bison
Locally designed ceramics and glassware by Brian Tunks.
The Commons, 6/12 Beltana Road, Pialligo ACT, 2609

Capital Region Farmers Market
Best regional farmers market you’ll find and where I do my weekly food shop – Saturdays 7:30 – 11am
Exhibition Park, Access Via Old Well Station Road, Mitchell

Church Public Service
Skate shop, records, and a pool table.
2/34 East Row, City

Griffith Butchery
If you eat meat and care.  
10 Barker Street, Griffith ACT, 2603

Mrs Fray
A staggeringly beautiful bridal concept store.
G31/12 Provan Street, Campbell ACT 2612

Ori Building, Lonsdale Street Boutiques
Housing a number of independent retailers. Don't miss timber & tailor and Hive.

Pop Canberra
All the local goodies under one roof. For pressies, or for you.
Shop G12/27 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Paperchain
Canberra’s best independent bookshop which probably has what you’re looking for.
34 Franklin Street, Griffith ACT 2603

Yarralumla Heritage Nursery:
Heaps of plants. Beautiful part of town. 
Weston Park Road, Yarralumla ACT 2600  
 

STAY:

Beltana Farm
Accommodation, truffle farm and restaurant (opening early 2024)
14 Beltana Road, Pialligo

Cubby and Co
One tiny home and two bell tents on Mt Majura Vineyard
88 Lime Kiln Rd, Majura

Hotel Realm
5 star stay. Book in at Louis Restaurant down stairs.  
21 National Circuit, Barton ACT, 2600

Hyatt Hotel
For that old world Canberra charm.
120 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla

Ovolo Nishi (Previously Hotel Hotel):
Boutique design hotel with individually curated rooms.
25 Edinburgh Avenue, New Acton, ACT, 2601.

Please kindly note that this list isn't by any means comprehensive. It is indicative merely of the places and businesses I love and frequent regularly. Go explore. There's so much more!

Lean. X



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