Top Things to do in Canberra

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In today's travel community, every traveller is searching for the next 'hidden gem'. Long gone are the days of jet-setting to Australia just to visit Sydney and Melbourne. Surely we have more to offer? For many years, our little capital city Canberra, (yes, Canberra is, in fact, our capital and NOT Sydney, as the rest of the world seems to think!) has been known as the city of roundabouts and all things politics, but recently, Canberra has begun to shrug off that image and blossom into a hipster, artsy and vibrant capital. Perhaps here is where travellers can venture 'off the beaten path'.

A mere three-hour drive from the hustle and bustle of Sydney takes you into the heart of Canberra. As you arrive, stop off at one of Canberra's hipster cafés for a well-deserved coffee. The Cupping Room in central Canberra is a great place to kick off your Canberra adventures. Or perhaps you would rather one of Canberra's infamous 'Freakshakes'. How could you say no? Head down to the original Patissez shop for the most Instagrammable shake you could ever have. If trendy cafes and hip milkshakes aren't your thing, maybe the humble burger will tickle your fancy? If so, the locals all sing the praises of 'Greasemonkey' – but don't worry, the burgers aren't greasy at all!



Canberra has a variety of things to do for all types of travellers. For those into museums and galleries, the National Gallery of Australia houses some incredible pieces of Australian art including some beautiful Indigenous paintings. Something else not to be missed is the Australian War Memorial, where their permanent exhibitions showcase some of Australia's most difficult times. With free entry and free guided tours, what more could you want?



You have two choices when it comes to viewing the Australian Parliament House – you can take in the history, take a guided tour or even watch the House of Representatives through the viewing gallery. Or for those who are seeking a further viewpoint, head up to the Mount Ainslie lookout for a beautiful viewpoint of Parliament House.

For something a little different, head to Hotel Hotel for the night – whether for dinner, for a movie or for a night's retreat. Hotel Hotel is a hotel redesigned by the creative production house, Molonglo, whose view it is to create something that in turn inspires creativity and artistic creation.



Finally, for those who are seeking the adventure of the outdoors, look no further than a lovely stroll along the Lake Burly Griffin or hike up to the top of Mount Ainslie Lookout. Another nice place to explore is the National Arboretum. With many trails and lovely spots to sit and enjoy the beautiful surrounds, you cannot go wrong with a trip there.



All in all, Canberra is more than just our capital, it is a vibrant, hipster city more than holding its own among the traditional Australian city giants. So head down to Canberra to get off the beaten path and uncover a real gem.

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