Eight ways to play tourist in your own town
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Ever wanted to play tourist in your own town?
From hidden history to foodie secrets, sometimes the best way to see Canberra is through a guided tour with an expert—and it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll learn something new.
Don’t believe us? Book into one of these eight local tours.
Canberra Secrets
Based on the successful Canberra Secrets publications by Margaret Wade, these small-group tours are the perfect way to discover a new side to Canberra. Designed and crafted for you, Margaret’s tours include the latest things to see, do, explore and enjoy in and around the city, with a dash of history thrown in (and hop-on coach tour commentary is also available for a little extra pizazz).
Eat Canberra
Think you’ve already eaten your way around Canberra? This walking food tour is here to prove you wrong. Designed to meet like-minded people and enjoy a day out in the nation’s capital, Eat Canberra will take you on a foodie adventure to discover some of the top venues and hidden gems over several tasty hours. It’s a great way to re-discover a few old favourites and tried some new foods while founder Amelia Bidgood (and the Eat Canberra team) shares some knowledge with you!
She Shapes History
Want to find out more about Canberra’s hidden history? She Shapes History offers an entertaining and educational walking tour and discover the trailblazing and scandal-making women behind the nations capital—think the Badass Women of Canberra or Spies in the Capital! Answering the question ‘Where are the women in the story of Australia?’, you’ll soon discover that they’re everywhere.
Dhawura Tours
Want to hear local Ngunawal Traditional Custodians interpret at various sites of significance in and around Canberra? Join a Dhawura Tour and travel back in time to become a part of ‘The Dreaming’. Offering full day, half day, and twilight tours as well as traditional weaving workshops, traditional doll and animal making workshop, bush tucker cooking class and Ngunawal language introduction classes, you’ll gain a deep understanding of Aboriginal culture.
Van du Vin
Tailored to your taste, this luxurious tour is a great way to discover cool climate wines from Canberra’s best boutique wineries. Going further (literally) to some of the lesser visited wineries, Van Du Vin offers a range of tours to choose from—including a petit tour (which is great if you’re short on time). Designed for a maximum of 11 guests, the price includes all wine tasting fees, food and transport, so why not make a day of it?
Canberra Guided Tours
The longest operating tour company in the ACT, Canberra Guided Tours certainly knows a thing or two. Each tour guide takes great pride in having strong connections to our roots, having been born in, living, or working in Canberra for most of their lives. Choose from general interest tours (including some that focus on wine or Canberra highlights), nature and wildlife tours, seasonal tours (hello Floriade) or bespoke private tours.
Vines and Wines
Breaking down some of the confusing lingo surrounding wine tasting (what even is tannins?!), the Vines and Wines tours will take you to three fabulous wineries chosen for the quality of wine and their warm hospitality, explaining everything you’ve ever wanted to know. Just a warning: you will have to think while you drink because the ultimate aim of the team is to you’ll leave the tour knowing something that you didn’t before, even if it’s just a fancy wine word!
Culture Cruises
Don’t want to walk? How about a cruise instead? Jump aboard the Culture Cruises on Lake Burley Griffin to explore Canberra’s premiere cultural destinations: The National Portrait Gallery and The National Museum of Australia. Weaving together visual art, architecture, live dance, amazing music, theatrical tour guides and great local food and wine, it’s the ultimate story-telling experience.
australiandance.party/culturecruise
Ngala Tours
This forty-minute guided bus ‘Discovery Tour’ goes around the Arboretum, where you’ll learn the stories of the forests. Otherwise, why not walk on Country? Join the Indigenous Education Officer for a guided walk and yarn, where you will see native plants that are used for medicinal, culinary, and Cultural use. This walk will bring the landscape to life allowing you to gain a deeper respect for Aboriginal Traditions and Culture.
If that’s not enough you can also discover art on Country with a tour that combines the cultural and scenic sites within the National Arboretum Canberra with a visit to the only Aboriginal owned Art Gallery in Canberra. It’s a great way to learn about Aboriginal culture in a relaxed and beautiful natural setting!
Feature Image: She Shapes History. Via Facebook.
