Get active after dark in Canberra
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It’s no secret that Canberra has a vibrant sports and fitness scene.
From the runners, rowers and boot campers who populate Lake Burley Griffin on misty winter mornings, through to the packed courts, ovals and cricket pitches over the weekends.
But at night? That’s when a different kind of scene comes to life.
For many an active Canberran, when the sun goes down is when the fun begins. Friends get together for social sport, couples gather under the magic of UV lights for an evening of competitive fun, and people assume alter egos for an hour of fist-pumping glory under the cloak of darkness.
Here are five ways to get active at night.
Get Glowing
You might have spotted Power Kart Raceway en route to Fyshwick, or maybe even gone along for a round of go-karting. Venture past the track and you’ll find Jungle Golf—Canberra’s first indoor glow-in-the-dark mini-golf course.
There are 18 holes across the jungle-themed, UV-lit course, which takes around 45 minutes to complete. It’s just the right degree of difficulty—challenging enough to bring out your competitive side but not so tough that you’ll get stuck at every hole.
It’s the perfect activity for a night out with the kids or as a date night with a dash of novelty. To keep the fun going without leaving the facility, try a glide at iSkate Park, Australia’s first synthetic ice rink.
Jungle Golf | Power Kart Raceway, 125 Canberra Avenue, Griffith | $15 for adults, $12 for children, $44 for a family of four | powerkarts.com.au
Get Social
When it comes to social sport, Urban Rec is a standout for its variety of sports, welcoming community and focus on fun.
Spring Leagues start between September and October and there’s truly something for everyone. Whether it’s soccer on Mondays and Wednesdays, Multisport on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, or dodgeball on Thursdays, you’re bound to find something that both tickles your fancy and fits with your schedule.
Urban Rec even offers modifications of traditional sports like Fast 5 Netball or J-Ball with Hockey ACT so they’re more accessible in terms of time commitment and ability. The Urban Rec model is big on flexibility—you can either join as an individual or get some mates together and enter a team.
If you’re not into mixed teams, keep an eye out for their women’s only leagues starting in spring and choose from basketball, soccer, and Aussie Rules 7s.
Urban Rec Canberra | various locations | check website for pricing and dates | canberra.urbanrec.com.au
Look sharp
Axxe Urban Axe Throwing opened in Canberra last year and has proven popular for couples, friends and even corporate groups. If you’re yet to try axe throwing, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a fun activity where you throw solid steel axes at wooden targets and play fun axe-throwing games.
Sound dangerous? It’s truly not. Each two-hour session begins with an axe-throwing lesson with an instructor who’ll teach you all you need to know to get started. After a practice throw session, you’ll get to battle it out with your friends to see who is the ultimate lumberjack. The last sessions run at around 8.30pm most nights so there’s plenty of time to play after work.
If you really love the experience and community, you even can join the Axxe League and compete on Tuesday or Thursday nights for an eight-week season.
Axxe Urban Axe Throwing Canberra | 4/1 Lyell Street, Fyshwick | $50 per person per session or $180 for the Axxe League | axxe.com.au
Make it a triple
If the thought of just playing one sport or activity bores you, 3 Sports could be your new favourite. Why not gather your friends, register a team and enjoy competition nights at Kaleen Indoor Sports on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm to 9 pm.
You’ll play a different sport every week, switching between soccer, netball, and volleyball. Mixing it up keeps things interesting and allows you to develop a wider range of skills. Teams are mixed and it’s a great way to meet new people and develop friendships.
The Sports Club Kaleen has a bar and restaurant so you can toast to victory (or drown your sorrows) and celebrate a game well played.
3 Sports | Kaleen Indoor Sports, Georgina Crescent, Kaleen | $80 registration per team, $70 game fee per game | kaleenindoor.com
Lose the Lycra
If you’ve ever gone to a dance class and spent the whole time avoiding your reflection or feeling self-conscious (or worse still, felt too embarrassed to go in the first place) then you will love No Lights No Lycra.
At face value, it’s a dark room with loud music and space to dance, but peel back the curtain and you’ll see it’s so much more. You’ll find everyone from small children to grandparents, all different kinds of bodies, all backgrounds, abilities, and genders. The venues are wheelchair accessible and there’s a special focus on inclusion, so everyone is welcomed with open arms. There’s also a diverse range of music, so you’re bound to find your jam.
If you’re worried about bumping into people, you needn’t fret. The room is dark enough to provide a bit of anonymity without sacrificing safety. The event is also drug and alcohol-free and a self-professed ‘creep free zone’, so you can let loose without fear of judgement or compromising your personal space.
Go alone, take your mum, your friends, or the kids—it’s a fun way to get active that everyone can enjoy.
No Lights No Lycra North | 7.30-9 pm Fridays | 1 Kingsley Street, Canberra | $8 per person
No Lights No Lycra South | 7.30-8.30pm Thursdays | Weston Creek Community Centre, Parkinson St and Whitney Place, Weston | $8 per person | nolightsnolycra.com
This article originally appeared in Magazine: Black + White for Spring 2019, available for free while stocks last. Find out more about Magazine here.
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