EXPERIENCE GUIDE

VISITCANBERRA.COM.AU DID YOU KNOW…? INTRODUCTION • The name Canberra is believed to mean Ensure your clients experience “meeting place” in the Ngunnawal language, one good thing after another and one of several Indigenous languages spoken in the district by Aboriginal people before discover why Canberra has been European settlement. ranked #3 city to visit in Lonely • Nestled conveniently between Sydney and Planet’s Best in Travel 2018. , ’s vibrant, multicultural Canberra’s red-hot food and wine scene capital city is home to about 390,000 people. combines with world-class attractions, award-winning hotels and breathtaking • Canberra is only a short 3-hour drive natural beauty, to offer an abundance of (or 40-minute flight) from Sydney and unexpected wonders all so close to each other. an hour flight from Melbourne. Within this guide you will find a snap shot of • offers direct flights must-do experiences, events and places to stay from Singapore to Canberra and Canberra in Australia’s capital. to Wellington on its ‘Capital Express’ route.

• Most of Canberra’s attractions are within a 15-minute drive of the city centre. With no tolls, minimal traffic and plenty of parking, Canberra is a perfect self drive destination.

• More than half of the Australian Capital Territory is made up of nature reserves, national parkland or state forest making Canberra a nature lover’s paradise. Canberra is often referred to as a city within a park.

• Canberra is home to award-winning bars, restaurants, chefs, winemakers and baristas. DID YOU KNOW…? INTRODUCTION • The name Canberra is believed to mean Ensure your clients experience “meeting place” in the Ngunnawal language, one good thing after another and one of several Indigenous languages spoken in the district by Aboriginal people before discover why Canberra has been European settlement. ranked #3 city to visit in Lonely • Nestled conveniently between Sydney and Planet’s Best in Travel 2018. Melbourne, Australia’s vibrant, multicultural Canberra’s red-hot food and wine scene capital city is home to about 390,000 people. combines with world-class attractions, award-winning hotels and breathtaking • Canberra is only a short 3-hour drive natural beauty, to offer an abundance of (or 40-minute flight) from Sydney and unexpected wonders all so close to each other. an hour flight from Melbourne. Within this guide you will find a snap shot of • Singapore Airlines offers direct flights must-do experiences, events and places to stay from Singapore to Canberra and Canberra in Australia’s capital. to Wellington on its ‘Capital Express’ route.

• Most of Canberra’s attractions are within a 15-minute drive of the city centre. With no tolls, minimal traffic and plenty of parking, Canberra is a perfect self drive destination.

• More than half of the Australian Capital Territory is made up of nature reserves, national parkland or state forest making Canberra a nature lover’s paradise. Canberra is often referred to as a city within a park.

• Canberra is home to award-winning bars, restaurants, chefs, winemakers and baristas. HOTELS

ABODE ARIA HOTEL AVENUE HOTEL NARRABUNDAH Rating: 4.5 Star CANBERRA Rating: 4 Star Total Rooms: 128 guest rooms Rating: 5 Star Total Rooms: 86 guest rooms and apartments Total Rooms: 213 guest rooms Location: Narrabundah Location: Dickson and apartments Close to: Manuka, cafes, Close to: Exhibition Park, Location: Braddon Kingston Foreshore, Braddon dining precinct Close to: Bars, restaurants, Old Bus Depot Markets shopping, city centre,

BURBURY REX HOTEL CROWNE PLAZA & APARTMENTS Rating: 4.5 Star CANBERRA Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 146 guest rooms Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 152 guest rooms and apartments Total Rooms: 240 guest rooms and apartments Location: Braddon Location: Canberra CBD Location: Barton Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Parliament House, shopping, city centre, , shopping, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Theatre , Lake Burley Griffin, city centre National Museum of Australia DIPLOMAT HOTEL EAST HOTEL FORREST HOTEL Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4.5 Star AND APARTMENTS Total Rooms: 130 guest rooms Total Rooms: 140 guest rooms Rating: 3.5 Star Location: Griffith and apartments Total Rooms: 114 guest rooms Close to: Manuka and Location: Kingston and apartments Kingston, cafes, restaurants, Close to: Kingston Foreshore, Location: Forrest , Manuka, cafes, restaurants, Close to: Parliament House, Parliament House Parliament House, Manuka, Shopping, National Gallery National Gallery of Australia of Australia, Old Bus Depot Markets

HOTEL HOTEL HOTEL REALM HYATT HOTEL Rating: 5 Star Rating: 5 Star CANBERRA Total Rooms: 68 guest rooms Total Rooms: 163 guest rooms Rating: 5 Star Location: NewActon Location: Barton Total Rooms: 252 guest rooms Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Parliament House, and suites city centre, Lake Burley Griffin, National Gallery of Australia, Location: Yarralumla National Museum of Australia Lake Burley Griffin, city centre Close to: Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, National Gallery of Australia, HOTELS

JAMALA WILDLIFE KNIGHTSBRIDGE LITTLE NATIONAL LODGE CANBERRA HOTEL Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4 Star Total Rooms: 18 guest rooms Total Rooms: 78 guest rooms Total Rooms: 120 guest rooms Location: Yarralumla and apartments Location: Barton Close to: National Zoo & Location: Kingston Close to: Parliament House, Aquarium, National Arboretum Close to: Bars, restaurants, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin , Kingston Foreshore, Lake Burley Griffin, city centre Old Bus Depot Markets

MANTRA MERCURE CANBERRA NOVOTEL CANBERRA MACARTHUR HOTEL Rating: 3.5 Star Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4 Star Total Rooms: 129 guest rooms Total Rooms: 286 guest rooms Total Rooms: 176 guest rooms Location: Braddon Location: Canberra CBD Location: Turner Close to: Mount Ainslie Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Braddon, Dickson, lookout, Australian War Lake Burley Griffin, bars, restaurants, Australian Memorial, Braddon, Canberra Theatre, Questacon War Memorial restaurants, bars PARKLANDS HOTEL PAVILION ON PEPPERS GALLERY & APARTMENTS NORTHBOURNE HOTEL Rating: 3.5 Star Rating: 4.5 Star Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 65 guest rooms Total Rooms: 156 guest rooms Total Rooms: 85 guest rooms and Location: Dickson Location: Dickson apartments Close to: Australian Close to: Bars, restaurants, Location: New Acton War Memorial, Braddon Braddon precinct Close to: Bars, restaurants, city dining precinct centre, Lake Burley Griffin, National Museum of Australia

QT CANBERRA RYDGES VIBE HOTEL Rating: 4 Star CAPITAL HILL CBR AIRPORT Total Rooms: 205 guest rooms Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4.5 Star Location: NewActon Total Rooms: 186 guest rooms Total Rooms: 191 guest rooms Close to: Bars, restaurants, Location: Forrest Location: city centre, Lake Burley Griffin, Close to: Parliament Close to: Pialligo Estate, National Museum of Australia House, Manuka, shopping, Mount Majura Winery, National Gallery of Australia, The Truffle Farm, city centre Old Bus Depot Markets TOURS AND EXPERIENCES

AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT NATIONAL BOTANIC WAR MEMORIAL Go behind the scenes on GARDENS Bringing together a world-class museum, a shrine and an an award-winning 90-minute Enjoy a guided walk or guided tour of Australia’s extensive archive, the Australian breakfast with the birds at the War Memorial is a moving premier elite sports precinct, only place in the world you’ll the Australian Institute of and insightful experience see this diversity of Australian for both young and old. Sport (AIS). native plants in one location. Open daily with free admission Tours operate: Daily Tours operate: Daily

BLUE SKIES CANBERRA CANBERRA ADVENTURE TOURS GLASSWORKS GUIDED TOURS Offering a range of Canberra Take a self-guided tour, Small group, expert guided city half-day tours, nature experience glassmaking, and tours in and around Canberra walks and camping and discover some of Canberra’s to suit different interests, and hiking adventures. heritage at this contemporary can provide customised tours. Tours operate: Daily glass centre, the only one of Tours operate: Daily its kind in Australia. Tours operate: Wed–Sun CANBERRA SECRETS CANBERRA URBAN CAPITAL BREWING CO Canberra Secrets are ADVENTURES Come behind the scenes of personalised tours that Discover the city around its Canberra’s newest Brewery, and provide you with a true local gorgeous lake with a local see how they turn malt, hops, perspective of what makes guide on a fun pedal kayak water and yeast into delicious beer this city tick. or electric bike adventure. and sample any of the 12 brews Tours operate: Wed–Sun made on-premise in front of your Tours operate: Tues–Sat eyes. Tour bookings essential. Tours operate: Sat and Sun

COCKINGTON GREEN DAVE’S DHAWRA GARDENS BREWERY TOURS INDIGENOUS TOURS Venture into this delightful Canberra’s only specialist Join Dharwra Aboriginal and fascinating display craft beer and micro brewery Cultural Tours on a journey of meticulously crafted tour operator, Dave’s Brewery back in time to become miniature buildings set within Tours takes you inside the a part of ‘The Dreaming’. beautifully-landscaped gardens. city’s finest breweries. Tours operate: Open daily Tours operate: Fri and Sat Daily on request TOURS AND EXPERIENCES

EAT CANBERRA GOBOAT CANBERRA MULGA BIKE TOURS FOOD TOURS Hire a self-drive, sustainable, Explore the historical, Eat your way around electric picnic boat and political, artistic and cultural (restaurant hop) and sample enjoy exploring Canberra’s sites of Canberra on a guided a range of food and drinks at Lake Burley Griffin and city bike tour (4 to 6 hours). some hot spots and hidden centre from a different angle. Tours operate: gems of Canberra. Boat license not required. Sun, Mon, Thur, Fri Tours operate: Saturdays Open daily

NATIONAL GALLERY NATIONAL MUSEUM NATIONAL ZOO OF AUSTRALIA OF AUSTRALIA & AQUARIUM Delight in the art and Australia’s stories come Get up close and personal with world-class exhibitions on alive at the National Museum some of the world’s most amazing show at the National Gallery of Australia, on the shores of creatures and Australian wildlife. of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Pat a cheetah, feed a bear or Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. become acquainted with a meerkat! Open daily with free admission Open daily with free admission Open daily Guided tours available PARLIAMENT HOUSE PIALLIGO ESTATE QUESTACON See democracy in at CANBERRA Free-fall down a six-metre slide, Australia’s iconic Parliament Sit back, relax and take in freeze your own shadow and House high on Capital Hill. the picturesque Pialligo experience an earthquake Open daily with free admission Estate Garden Pavillions, at Questacon — The National Science and Technology Centre. Group guided tours available a sensational food, wine by pre-arrangement and lifestyle destination. Open daily Farm tours operate: Daily

SEG GLIDE RIDE SUNRISE HOT AIR THE TRUFFLE FARM Discover Lake Burley Griffin’s BALLOONING TRUFFLE HUNTS foreshore, famous landmarks With 30 years’ experience Join Jayson and Australia’s and iconic buildings on a guided conducting balloon flights best truffle dog team on segway riding experience. over Canberra, Balloon Aloft an exhilarating truffle Tours operate: Daily are among the leaders in hunt experience. commercial hot air ballooning. Tours operate: Flights operate: Daily Daily from June to August EVENTS

ENLIGHTEN BALLOON ANZAC DAY AT See Canberra in a different SPECTACULAR THE WAR MEMORIAL light during Autumn as the Held over nine days each Autumn, Take part in the national Anzac city’s national attractions open the Canberra Balloon Spectacular Day ceremony or experience the their doors after-dark to host sees dozens of hot air balloons Dawn Service, a moving tribute an array of exclusive events take to the skies against the commemorating those who and surprising experiences. picturesque backdrop of have served and died in war. our national attractions. When: March When: 25 April When: March

CANBERRA FLORIADE FLORIADE NIGHTFEST TRUFFLE FESTIVAL Each September Floriade comes The Truffle Festival — celebrates the return of spring to life after dark for Floriade Canberra Region is the ultimate with one million blooms NightFest — a magical evening foodie festival. Each year and a 30-day program of event featuring spectacular during Winter, exclusive events entertainment and festivity lighting, live music, comedy, are held across the region showcasing the best night markets and highlighting the rare Black in horticulture, landscaping, roving entertainment. Winter Truffle. innovation and design. When: Over two weekends When: June–Aug When: Sept–Oct during Floriade COMING SOON

ABODE KINGSTON ABODE ABODE MIDNIGHT Kingston’s regeneration MURRUMBATEMAN BRADDON will continue with a A 52-room hotel in the Yass A 160-room hotel with 61-room hotel. Abode Hotels Valley will be the perfect restaurant and retail spaces general manager, Rien Donkin, complement to the growing will open in Braddon, along said the four-storey hotel wine region, featuring a the planned light rail corridor. would deliver the brand’s flexible foyer space and a Abode Braddon will embrace signature self-contained, range of rooms and suites to the modern and exciting apartment-style rooms, accommodate large groups culture of the precinct, designed to complement for local events. bringing even more vibrancy Kingston’s streetscape. Expected to open in 2018 to the scene. Expected to open in 2018 Expected to open in 2019

ADINA GRAND GAREMA CENTRE — ABODE 5 STAR TFE Hotels will operate a beautiful new Adina A new luxury hotel will be developed in the heart Apartment Hotel Grand, Canberra. The contemporary of Canberra’s CBD, through the Abode Group. new design hotel will be part of an exciting The site is in close proximity to shopping and $300 million development by Capital Property some of Canberra’s best restaurants, bars Group at the corner of Constitution Place and and attractions, and close to the light rail. , where two purpose-built buildings will set a new standard in environmental design. Expected to open in 2020 Expected to open 2020 KEY CONTACTS:

Sarah Staruszkiewicz Partnerships and Distribution Manager Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 (0)2 6205 0506

Alison Beer Partnerships and Distribution Officer Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 (0)2 6207 8649

Looking for more information about Canberra? There are a number of sources to assist you. Canberra’s destination website is visitcanberra.com.au. The website provides information on things to see and do in Canberra as well as an online booking facility. For trade related information such as brochures, images, itineraries and maps, please visit our corporate website, tourism.act.gov.au/trade.

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