What's New in Canberra
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WHAT’S NEW IN CANBERRA CANBERRA CONVENTION BUREAU INVITES YOU TO CANBERRA Welcome to Canberra, Australia’s capital and a city of brilliant possibilities. Canberra is a world city, abundant with prestigious establishments and national treasures, such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia, and Australian Parliament House. We have a rich history of sporting achievements, political events and Indigenous culture, and we look forward to sharing it with you. Canberra is a planned and congestion-free city where domestic planners can safely bring their future business events, offering a controlled return to business activity. Canberra has been the least impacted city in Australia throughout COVID-19, and Canberra Airport is now more connected than ever to domestic destinations, with increased air routes around Australia. Canberra is ever evolving. Popular precincts, such as NewActon, Braddon, Manuka and Kingston, buzz with activity. Pop-up stores, award-winning architecture, lively brewpubs, cultural festivals, music and public art are at the heart of our city, which has something to offer everyone. Canberra is an accessible, planned city with a serene landscape and surrounded by mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, featuring a kaleidoscope of colours and experiences that unfold in harmony with four distinct seasons. With the help of the Canberra Convention Bureau team, you can access all of Canberra’s unique offerings to design an event program that will inform, entertain, inspire and impress. Our capital is already returning to the positivity stemming from a well-managed confident world city, and we look forward to sharing it with you in person. GETTING TO CANBERRA Canberra is less than an hour by air from Sydney, one hour from Melbourne and less than two hours from Brisbane.Canberra International Airport is less than 10 minutes from the CBD. Connect to the city via rental car, limousine, public transport, shuttle bus, taxi or with a rideshare operator. DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Qantas, Virgin Australia, Fly Pelican, Link Airways and Alliance Airlines offer direct flights to 11 domestic destinations, including regional hubs like Cairns, Newcastle and Hobart, in addition to most state capitals and other major Australian destinations. Canberra is well positioned to host delegates from regional centres as well as capital cities, with enhanced connectivity and easy access for your delegates. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS At the time of printing, our destination is placing significant focus on a return to international flights when border restrictions allow, and on re-opening routes to Asia and New Zealand. LAND TRANSPORT Direct rail and coach services to Sydney and the South Coast are alternatives for delegates, with Murrays Coaches operating daily trips to and from Sydney, Narooma and Wollongong. The national freeways make Canberra an easy three- hour drive from Sydney. TO: 5 6 7 13 1 15 9 2 11 2 change Bus inter 7 10 3 TO: 23 14 16 TO: 8 10 14 16 5 18 19 32 21 8 17 26 4 1 9 25 15 22 13 27 24 12 20 29 6 2 8 17 12 31 4 30 TO: TO: TO: 11 3 WHAT’S NEW WHAT’S NEW IN CANBERRA IN CANBERRA As a young and vibrant city, Canberra is ever evolving, with new accommodation, city and infrastructure upgrades and exciting experiences sure to impress new and return visitors alike. DISCOVER HOTEL LIVING AT A BY ADINA CANBERRA Nestled within the brand-new Constitution Place in the heart of the city, A by Adina Canberra is TFE Hotels’ most recent addition to Canberra’s accommodation inventory. With 130 luxury apartments, a plethora of galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars mere steps away, and a five-minute walk to the National Convention Centre Canberra (NCCC), A by Adina Canberra provides an elevated experience for your delegates. WHAT’S NEW ENJOY A REVAMPED CITY CENTRE INReturn visitors CANBERRA to Canberra will be astounded at the recent redevelopments in the CBD. City Walk, one of Canberra’s most iconic pedestrian streets, has been transformed into an oasis of gardens, with more that 3,000 plants and 560 square metres of lawn, making it the perfect spot to catch some fresh air between two conference sessions. Or head to Verity Lane Market post-event for a gastronomic market experience in the heart of the historic Sydney building, and feast on high-end ramen and pizzas, complete with top-shelf cocktails and exceptional wines. EXTEND YOUR JOURNEY ON THE LIGHT RAIL With the first stage of the light rail successfully launched two years ago and major construction planned and underway, projects for the rejuvenation of the city’s corridor continue to build our reputation as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Work has commenced on Stage 2 of the light rail, which will connect Canberra’s north and south via the city, increasing accessibility and connectivity for delegates. EXPLORE THE CAPITAL FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE With its new Canoes, Cool Climate Wines & Canapés tour, the team at Experience Nature gives your delegates the unique opportunity to see Lake Burley Griffin from a different vantage point. Dine on delicious food, taste regional ACT cool climate wines and glide along our iconic lake as you paddle your way around the capital. EXPERIENCES From cultural institutions that relay the treasures of the Australian story, to native parklands where you can glimpse a kangaroo or koala and wineries to enjoy award-winning Canberra Region wine, there is no shortage of unique experiences in Canberra. AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT HOUSE - BEHIND THE SCENES See democracy in action at Australia’s iconic Parliament House high on Capital Hill. During Question Time see the country’s elected politicians make the big decisions on behalf of the nation. Take a guided tour, view historic documents and see an impressive collection of Australian art including one of the world’s largest tapestries based on an Arthur Boyd design. AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial’s purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society. CANBERRA TRUFFLE HUNTS Rug up for a wintery experience and take a Canberra Truffle Hunt in the oak forest on Canberra’s only trufferie; The Truffle Farm. Follow the truffle dogs as they sniff out prized black Perigord truffles. These exceptionally talented dogs roam amongst the farm’s 2,500 trees to find a piece of ‘black magic.’ Choose from Truffle Hunts, Breakfast Hunts with three indulgent truffle courses and sparkling wine or Lunch Hunts featuring a world class, six course truffle degustation with matching local wines. NATIONAL ARBORETUM CANBERRA See the forest for the trees at the National Arboretum Canberra, with its 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Walk, drive, cycle or even horse-ride around the 250-hectare site. You’ll be struck by the range of botanical beauty, including the living artworks in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA Australia’s stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The Museum’s stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people. Take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions. Get to know the real, the treasured, the surprising and the inspirational objects from Australian history. NATIONAL ZOO & AQUARIUM Get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing creatures at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra. From lions, tigers and bears, to giraffes, penguins and monkeys, the Zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia. QUESTACON – THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE Questacon is Australia’s National Science Engagement organisation centrally located in the Parliamentary Triangle. Uncover the mysteries of science in eight themed galleries, freefall six metres down a vertical slide, experience a simulated earthquake, watch live science demonstrations or take time out to gaze at the 7m replica moon and be mesmerized by the detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT View the coin production factory where all of Australia’s spending coins are made and discover the National Coin Collection. Make your own coin and buy a memento or collectible from the Mint Coin Shop. Located ten minutes from the city centre, the Royal Australian Mint offers free entry and free tours. TIDBINBILLA NATURE RESERVE Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve offers an extensive program of guided walks and activities throughout the year. Don’t miss your chance to see Australian wildlife in this beautiful natural environment. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to a wide range of Australian animals including kangaroos, platypus, potoroos, wallaroos, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds and many other birds and reptiles. WINERY TOURS There are more than 30 boutique wineries within 30 minutes’ drive of the city centre, offering a fine range of cool climate wines. The region is small enough to have an intimate cellar door experience yet large enough to find all the varieties of a premium wine growing region. A number of tour operators offer escorted and tailored winery and lunch tours. SEASONAL EVENTS ENLIGHTEN FESTIVAL Held over 17 days every March, the nation’s capital shines bright with culture and creativity at Enlighten Festival, with architectural projections at Parliamentary Triangle, Night Noodle Markets, Canberra Balloon Spectacular and so much more to eat, see and explore. FLORIADE Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, comes to Canberra ever spring and is the perfect place to experience the beauty of the season.