Father's Day Adventures in and Around Canberra

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Posted 2018-08-23 by Belladonna ⇒ follow

With Father's Day fast approaching, there seems to be quite a few things for dad (whether he's your actual father or stepfather or your husband/partner and the father of your children, etc) to do in and around Canberra.

But what if you want to do something a little bit different to celebrate their special day this year? Something that doesn't include a Father's Day lunch in a special packaged deal? Something that'll get him moving instead or thinking hard or trying a completely different cuisine or escaping the city altogether? Well, then, here are sixteen Father's Day adventures for you to give your dad a Father's Day he won't forget.

Take dad on:

1. An escape room adventure. There's no better way to get really close to dad than in an escape room situation. After all, you're going to need to rely on each other and the other members in your group to solve the clues and puzzles to get yourselves out! And that's basically what an escape room is, for those who don't know. It's a physical, immersive and very interactive adventure game where you and other players are placed in a specially designed room. You've got to solve the puzzles to get out, and you're only given just one hour to escape. There are several different exciting escape room adventures in Canberra to experience, such as The Vault (a post-apocalyptic, end of the world adventure), The Hotel (where you are locked up in a creepy abandoned hotel) and Mission Identity (think spies and Mission Impossible). For more information on escape rooms, read my article here .

2. A Burger High Tea adventure.
High teas may not be your dad/partner's favourite thing to do in the world (my husband, for one, isn't as thrilled about dainty cucumber sandwiches as I am), but there is a high tea that doesn't have a cucumber sandwich in sight. In fact, it's a high tea bursting with burgers, chips, popcorn chicken and beer. Beef & Barley at the Kingston Foreshore offers a burger high tea that's absolutely scrumptious and definitely more to my husband's taste. Read here for more information about a high tea that's all about the burgers and beer.

3. A Go Kart adventure.
For some fast and furious action this Father's Day, why not take dad on a go kart adventure at Power Kart Raceway on Canberra Avenue, Griffith? Power Kart Raceway features electric go karts on an F1 style indoor circuit. If go karting is not enough, then Power Kart Raceway also has an ice rink and glow in the dark mini golf course.

4. An Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventure.
Get out of Canberra and get your dad high amongst the treetops. Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures is a two hour drive from Canberra and offers Australia's highest zipline adventure, and the exhilarating treetop walk. For more information, read my article here .

5. A kite flying adventure.
See some amazing kites including a giant white shark, astronauts and flying pig at the Flying High in the Googong Sky kite festival . This annual event will be held on Father's Day from 11am-2pm at Rockley Oval, Googong. There'll be a sausage sizzle plus gourmet burgers and beers for the dads and live music. Bring along your own kites and enjoy a fun day out for the whole family.

6. A ten pin bowling adventure.
Have a fun day on the lanes with dad and the whole family at Zone Bowling (formerly AMF) centres in Belconnen or Tuggeranong. And the good news is, dad gets to bowl for free on Father's Day when you purchase any kids' game. For more details, go here .

7. A lawn bowls adventure.
This is a different kind of bowling game for dad, but it's still just as fun, plus it's one of the few sports where it's perfectly fine to have a beer or glass of bubbly while you play! Lawn bowls is played outdoors on a bowling green and basically involves rolling balls so that they stop close to a small ball called a jack. Enjoy a game of barefoot bowls with dad at The RUC in Turner or the Weston Creek Labor Club in Weston Creek.

8. A Filipino food adventure.
Let dad try a different cuisine, something he's probably never tried before, on Father's Day. Filipino food is not so well known or common as other Asian cuisines such as Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese, but here in Canberra, that's hopefully changing with three exciting Filipino restaurants now open. You can read about them here .

9. A chocolate adventure.
For the chocoholic dad, there's no better place to feast on his favourite food than at Robyn Rowe's chocolates in Murrumbateman. Watch how the chocolate is made in the workroom, then sit at one of the outside tables if it's a lovely day and enjoy a chocolate feast as you soak in the country air. And don't forget to take home some chocolate.

10. A walking adventure. We live in the Bush Capital which means we have plenty of green spaces and places to take dad for a bushwalk (and a picnic along the way) such as Tidbinbilla, Mount Ainslie, Mount Majura, Mount Taylor, Namadgi National Park, Kowen Forest, Coolemon Ridge, and Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. To find your perfect Father's Day walk, go here .

11. An indoor rock climbing adventure.
Get closer to dad as you climb up a wall or two together. Indoor Rock Climbing is a fun way to celebrate Father's Day and get fit at the same time. Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing has two locations: in Hume and Mitchell. Go here for more information.

12. A space adventure.
If your dad loves all things space, then visit the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla. Your dad will love checking out the big 'dishes' and exploring the Canberra Space Centre with its amazing exhibits and interactive displays. Plus there's the Moon Rock Café if dad is feeling peckish after all that exploring.

13. A prehistoric adventure.
Visit the National Dinosaur Museum on Father's Day and take your dad on a prehistoric adventure. Explore the museum's fantastic indoor displays and the dinosaur garden with its incredible life-like fibreglass dinosaur models. Plus you can grab a gift for dad at the gift shop.

14. A Japanese adventure.
Just over two hours' drive from Canberra is the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre. Your dad will love strolling along the pathways that wind their way through lush and tranquil surrounds. He can stop to feed Koi carp from viewing platforms overlooking the lakes, enjoy modern Australian and Japanese cuisine at the café, and explore the Cultural Centre which features an extensive collection of beautiful Japanese artworks and artefacts. Find out more about the Cowra Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre here .

15. A camping adventure.
Escape the city and go camping in the bush with dad. But make sure you have all the camping equipment (such as the all-important tent and sleeping bags!) that you need. Luckily for us in the Bush Capital, there are many great camping spots for you to take your dad for the weekend, such as the Cotter Campground on the banks of the Cotter River, and Honeysuckle Campground in Namadgi National Park. Please note that to camp within the ACT, you will need to book your campsite. Go here for more information about camping and to reserve your campsite.

16. And finally, a Bunnings adventure!
Your dad's probably here every week having his own adventures but on Thursday August 30, Bunnings Belconnen and Canberra Airport will be hosting a free Father's Day Family Night at both stores. Come along with the whole family and enjoy an evening of fun, entertainment, face painting, and yes, sausage sizzles.