canberra Experience Guide introduction

You’ll discover more than you expect on a visit to . Explore a city full of passionate locals, hidden collections and unexpected gems. Dance in nightclubs above bus stops and discover whisky bars behind hidden doors. Fall asleep next to pacing lions or wake up in rooms where Prime Ministers have walked. Balloon at dawn and rise above Parliament House. Admire art collections belonging to all Australians and afterwards drink in warm welcomes and collect bottles along with stories from the capital’s boutique cool climate cellar doors. Dine in restaurants with five stars, then sleep under one million more. Ensure your clients experience more than they expect in ’s capital with our curated suggestions. DID YOU Know? • Canberra is Ngunnawal country. In the Ngunnawal language, the name ‘Canberra’ is believed to mean ‘meeting place’. • Nestled conveniently inland between Sydney and , Australia’s vibrant, multicultural capital city is home to around 431,000 people. • 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 described as a city within a park or as the ‘bush capital’. • As Australia’s capital, it’s home to many attractions that hold and share Australia’s national collections and stories so it’s a great place to gain an understanding of the nation and its people. • Canberra is home to award-winning bars, restaurants, chefs, winemakers, craft breweries and baristas. • Canberra is only a short three-hour drive (or 40-minute flight) from Sydney and an hour flight from Melbourne. • A number of domestic airlines service Canberra including , , Rex, Alliance Airlines, Fly Pelican and Link Airways. • Most of Canberra’s attractions are within a 20-minute drive of the city centre. With no tolls, minimal traffic and plenty of parking, Canberra is a perfect self-drive destination. tours and experiences

Australian National Australian CANBERRA BIKE TOURS Botanic Gardens War Memorial Explore the historical, political, Enjoy a guided walk at the only Bringing together a world-class artistic and cultural sites of place in the world you’ll see this museum, a shrine and an extensive Canberra on a guided bike tour (4–5 diversity of Australian native archive, the Australian War hours). plants in one location. Memorial is a moving and insightful Tours operate: Daily on request Open daily with free admission experience for both young and old. Guided tours available Open daily with free admission Guided tours available

CANBERRA CANBERRA Canberra Secrets GLASSWORKS GUIDED TOURS personalised tours Take a self-guided tour, experience Small group, expert guided Canberra Secrets are personalised glassmaking, and discover some tours in and around Canberra to tours that provide you with a true of Canberra’s heritage at this suit different interests, and can local perspective of what makes contemporary glass centre, the only provide customised tours. this city tick. one of its kind in Australia. Tours operate: Daily Tours operate: Wed–Sun Tours operate: Daily on request canberra CAPITAL BREWING CO CLASSIC CAPITAL winery tours Come behind the scenes of GOLF TOURS Choose a full-day or half-day tailor Canberra’s newest brewery, and see Sample the best of golf and regional made tour for singles, couples or how they turn malt, hops, water food and wine with Classic Capital groups. You’ll be expertly guided and yeast into delicious beer and Golf Tours. through wine tastings at three to sample any of the 12 brews made on- Tours operate: On request five cellar doors and stop for lunch. premise in front of your eyes. Tours operate: on request Open daily

Cockington Green Dave’s Tours DhawUra Tours Gardens Discover the breweries, distilleries, Join Dhawura Aboriginal cultural Venture into this delightful and wineries, and pubs in Australia’s tours on a journey back in time to fascinating display of meticulously capital with Dave’s Tours. Half-day become a part of ‘The Dreaming’. and full-day tours available. crafted miniature buildings set Tours operate: Daily on request within beautifully-landscaped Tours operate: Wed–Sun gardens. Open daily tours and experiences

EAT CANBERRA GOBOAT CANBERRA Mulligans Flat FOOD TOURS Hire a self-drive, sustainable, Woodland Eat your way around (restaurant electric picnic boat and enjoy Sanctuary hop) and sample a range of food and exploring Canberra’s Lake Burley Take a journey into Mulligans Flat at drinks at some hot spots and hidden Griffin and city centre from a night to rediscover Canberra’s lost gems of Canberra. different angle. Boat license not wildlife. required. Tours operate: Saturdays Tours operate: Wed and Fri Open daily

MV SOUTHERN CROSS Naked Cubby Co National CRUISES Experience a unique and cosy Arboretum Enjoy the ever changing views of night under the stars. The Naked Canberra Cubby Co bell tents and tiny house Canberra’s famous landmarks and Explore 94 forests of rare, are nestled in the vines at Mount the beautiful shores of Lake Burley endangered and symbolic trees Majura Vineyard. Griffin from the MV Southern Cross. from Australia and around the Tours operate: Daily Open daily world. Tours operate: Daily National National Gallery of National Museum DINOSAUR MUSEUM Australia of Australia The National Dinosaur Museum Delight in the art and world-class Australia’s stories come alive at has one of the largest displays of exhibitions on show at the gallery, the National Museum of Australia, dinosaurs and prehistoric life in on the shores of Canberra’s on the shores of Canberra’s Australia. . Lake Burley Griffin. Open daily with free admission Open daily Open daily with free admission Guided tours available Guided tours available

NATIONAL NATIONAL ZOO Parliament House PORTRAIT GALLERY & AQUARIUM See democracy in at Explore portraiture and come face Get up close and personal with Australia’s iconic Parliament to face with Australian identity, some of the world’s most amazing House high on Capital Hill. history, culture, creativity and creatures and Australian wildlife. Open daily with free admission diversity. Pat a cheetah, feed a bear or Group guided tours available by become acquainted with a meerkat! Open daily with free admission pre-arrangement Guided tours available Open daily tours and experiences

Pialligo Estate ROYAL Sit back, relax and take in the Free-fall down a six-metre slide, AUSTRALIAN MINT picturesque Pialligo Estate Garden freeze your own shadow and Visit the Pavilions, a sensational food, wine experience an earthquake to learn the stories behind every and lifestyle destination. at Questacon — The National Australian coin. Farm tours operate: on request Science and Technology Centre. Open daily with free admission Open daily Guided tours available

SEG GLIDE RIDE Sunrise Hot Air Van Du Vin Discover Lake Burley Griffin’s Ballooning Enjoy a relaxing day out foreshore, famous landmarks and With 30 years’ experience discovering beautiful cool climate iconic buildings on a guided segway conducting balloon flights over wines from Canberra’s best riding experience. Canberra, Balloon Aloft are among boutique wineries. Half-day and Tours operate: Daily the leaders in commercial hot air full-day tours available. ballooning. Tours operate: Daily Flights operate: Daily events

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

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

ABODE ADINA SERVICED AVENUE HOTEL MURRUMBATEMAN APARTMENTS CANBERRA Rating: 4 Star Rating: 4.5 Star Rating: 5 Star Total Rooms: 50 guest rooms Total Rooms: 128 guest rooms Total Rooms: 213 guest rooms Location: Murrumbateman Location: Dickson and apartments Close to: Cellar doors, Close to: Exhibition Park, Braddon Location: Braddon Murrumbateman Village Centre dinning precinct Close to: Bars, restaurants, shopping, city centre,

BURBURY Rex Hotel Crowne Plaza & APARTMENTS Rating: 4.5 Star Canberra Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 146 guest rooms and Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 152 guest rooms and apartments Total Rooms: 240 guest rooms apartments Location: Braddon Location: Canberra CBD Location: Barton Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Parliament House, shopping, city centre, Canberra , shopping, National Gallery of Australia, Lake Theatre Lake Burley Griffin, Burley Griffin, city centre National Museum of Australia East Hotel FORREST HOTEL HOTEL REALM Rating: 4.5 Star & APARTMENTS Rating: 5 Star Total Rooms: 140 guest rooms Rating: 3.5 Star Total Rooms: 163 guest rooms and apartments Total Rooms: 114 guest rooms Location: Barton Location: Kingston and apartments Close to: Parliament House, Close to: Kingston Foreshore, Location: Forrest National Gallery of Australia, Manuka, cafés, restaurants, Close to: Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, city centre Parliament House, National Gallery Manuka, Shopping, National Gallery of Australia of Australia, Old Bus Depot Markets

Hyatt Hotel JAMALA LITTLE NATIONAL Canberra WILDLIFE LODGE HOTEL Rating: 5 Star Rating: 5 Star Rating: 4 Star Total Rooms: 252 guest rooms Total Rooms: 18 guest rooms Total Rooms: 120 guest rooms and suites Location: Yarralumla Location: Barton Location: Yarralumla Close to: National Zoo & Close to: Parliament House, Close to: Parliament House, Lake Aquarium, National Arboretum National Gallery of Australia, Burley Griffin, National Gallery of Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin Lake Burley Griffin, city centre Australia, Questacon hHototeelsls

MANTRA MERCURE MIDNIGHT HOTEL MACARTHUR HOTEL CANBERRA Rating: 5 Star Rating: 4 Star Rating: 3.5 Star Total Rooms: 199 guest rooms Total Rooms: 176 guest rooms Total Rooms: 129 guest rooms Location: Braddon Location: Turner Location: Braddon Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Braddon, Dickson, bars, Close to: Mount Ainslie lookout, shopping, city centre restaurants, Australian War , Memorial Braddon, restaurants, bars

Novotel Canberra OVOLO NISHI PAVILION ON Rating: 4.5 Star Rating: 5 Star NORTHBOURNE Total Rooms: 286 guest rooms Total Rooms: 68 guest rooms Rating: 4.5 Star Location: Canberra CBD Location: NewActon Total Rooms: 156 guest rooms Close to: Bars, restaurants, Close to: Bars, restaurants, city Location: Dickson Lake Burley Griffin, centre, Lake Burley Griffin, National Close to: Bars, restaurants, Canberra Theatre, Questacon Museum of Australia Braddon precinct, city centre PEPPERS GALLERY QT Canberra ramada Diplomat HOTEL Rating: 4.5 Star Hotel Rating: 4.5 Star Total Rooms: 205 guest rooms Rating: 4 Star Total Rooms: 85 guest rooms and Location: NewActon Total Rooms: 130 guest rooms apartments Close to: Bars, restaurants, city Location: Griffith Location: NewActon centre, Lake Burley Griffin, National Close to: Manuka and Close to: Bars, restaurants, city Museum of Australia Kingston, cafés, restaurants, centre, Lake Burley Griffin, National , Museum of Australia Parliament House

RYDGES CAPITAL HILL the sebel Vibe Hotel Rating: 4 Star canberra civic Total Rooms: 186 guest rooms Rating: 3.5 Star Rating: 4.5 Star Location: Forrest Total Rooms: 144 guest rooms Total Rooms: 191 guest rooms Close to: Parliament House, Location: Canberra CBD Location: Canberra Airport Manuka, shopping, Close to: Canberra Theatre, bars, Close to: Pialligo Estate, National Gallery of Australia, restaurants, shopping Mount Majura Winery, Old Bus Depot Markets The Truffle Farm, city centre

key contacts

Maisi Ahuja Alison Beer Director, Partnerships and Distribution Officer International and Partnerships Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 (0) 2 6205 0363 Tel: +61 (0)2 6207 0215 Nicole Casey Mob: +61 468 565 792 Partnerships Events Officer Email: [email protected] Sarah Staruszkiewicz Tel: +61 (0)2 6205 0562 Assistant Director, Partnerships and Distribution Jacqueline Lee Email: [email protected] Business Development Manager Singapore, Malaysia & India Tel: +61 (0) 2 6205 0506 Mob: +61 468 590 297 Email: [email protected] Tel: +65 6351 6342 Mobile: +65 9748 8300

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 Trade Hub, trade.visitcanberra.com.au.