Bored and broke? Here are 10 free things for teens to do these school holidays
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After the excitement of the first few days of school holidays wears off, you might feel as if you have nothing left to do for the remaining week.
Well, don’t worry, because we have compiled a list of fun things to do these holidays that won’t break the bank!
Rainy day movie marathon
Canberra’s weather can be famously unpredictable, but don’t worry there are plenty of fun things to do inside if the weather starts to turn. Cosying up with some blankets, grabbing some snacks and watching an array of movies is the perfect rainy day activity.
Whether it be rom-coms from the 2000’s or obscure art house films in a different language, a movie marathon is definitely something you should plan with either your friends, your family or just by yourself!
Floriade
Canberra’s favourite spring festival has arrived and it is thriving! There are countless free workshops and activities to do this year and the flowers are as beautiful as ever. Come and listen to the live music by local artists which perfectly compliments this year’s theme of ‘Sounds of Spring’. Don’t forget to bring along your family and friends to also experience the nostalgic joy that is Floriade!
It will be running at Commonwealth Park until Sunday 16 October, right through the holidays and then shortly into Term 4, giving you plenty of opportunity to attend.
Until Sunday 16 October | Commonwealth Park | floriadeaustralia.com
Go for a walk or bike ride
Canberra is famous for its beautiful walking tracks and bike paths! Take a friend, bring a hot drink of choice and walk the famous bridge to bridge walk or grab your bikes and ride around the Jerrabomberra wetlands (obviously saying hi to the cows along the way).
There are countless hidden and not so hidden trails you can discover and explore either with some company or solo, and the fresh spring weather is the perfect time to do so.
Some of my favourite, less popular, walking or riding tracks are the O’Connor Ridge Walk which comes with stunning views across Canberra, or the many tracks and trails scattered over the Black Mountain and Aranda Bushland Nature Reserves. Need some more ideas? Check out our list of Canberra’s best walks.
Take a dip
As the weather begins to get warmer, make the most of the many natural swimming holes that surround the city. If you don’t feel like a long commute, Uriarra Crossing or Casuarina Sands is for you.
Make sure to check the Parks ACT website before going, to check for any rules you need to be wary of!
Watch the sunrise
From Mount Ainslie to Red Hill Lookout, Canberra is not shy of places to view the spectacular Australian sunrise. Get up bright and early and take a short walk up either Mount Ainslie or Red Hill to settle down to watch the sun slowly rise in the east. Both of these lookouts are perfect for early rises who want to get some exercise in before the day starts. You can either test your fitness level by walking to the summit or there is plenty of parking up at the lookouts.
If you would rather stay in your car at Red Hill lookout make sure you park facing the lake and if you are planning on watching the sunrise outside in the cool spring air, make sure to bring a jacket as it can get a bit windy. For more ideas here’s our list of four cracking spots for a sunset and sunrise.
Feast under the stars
Bring your dinner up to Dairy Farmers Hill and enjoy a feast under the beautiful Milky Way! The famous sunrise spot is the perfect place to stargaze with limited light pollution and a beautiful view of the night sky. There are picnic tables up there so bring a late dinner or have a midnight feast with friends!
After 11 pm the light pollution visibly decreases making for better viewing conditions, but make note that the Arboretum is closed to traffic overnight so remember to prepare for a short (but steep) walk.
Picnic with friends
Nothing is better than a picnic with friends on a warm day and there are so many spots around Canberra that are perfect for it! If you’re looking for a picnic with a view and plenty of space the Arboretum is the place to go with stunning views across Canberra and plenty of different spots to choose from. If you want to be closer to the ground and dine next to the nicest part of the lake (in my opinion), Yarramundi Reach is beautiful with tables and plenty of grass.
Some other popular picnic spots include Bowen Park, the Cotter Reserve and anywhere along the Lake you can fit a picnic blanket!
Remember to check the forecast beforehand, you don’t want your picnic to end abruptly with some bad weather!
Become a tourist
Over 6.1 million people come to Canberra every year and visit the tourist attractions we are all too familiar with. But when was the last time you actually visited the Portrait Gallery or the Botanical Gardens?
Take yourself on your own self-guided tour of Canberra and visit the War Memorial, bike the Arboretum, take a look at one of the National Gallery’s new exhibitions and have a look at Canberra from a tourist’s perspective. Need some inspo? Check out Visit Canberra’s list of top 10 things to do.
Window shop at the markets
Everyone knows about the Bus Depot Markets held every Sunday, filled with great food and extravagant crafts for you to inspect and hopefully purchase. But have you ever thought of visiting one of the markets around Canberra to browse without reaching for your wallet?
As well as the Bus Depot Markets in Kingston, The Little Burley Market is held at Queen Elizabeth Terrace every Saturday from 9 am until 1:30 pm! As well as a vastmarray of food, there are also small boutiques selling clothes and other knick-knacks.
Every Saturday | Queen Elizabeth Tce, Commonwealth Place | thelittleburleymarket.com.au
Have a lake day
From kayaking to bringing down the inflatables, the opportunities are endless on a warm day down by the lake. The weather has been all over the place recently, with hot summer-like days popping up every now and then. The possibility of a lake day is unpredictable, so it doesn’t have to be overly planned weeks in advance, just grab what you need and drive down there maybe picking up some snacks along the way!
Since the lake water can also be a tad unpredictable, make sure to check the water quality before jumping in—though blue-green algae is not in season until summer, it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
