Hidden gems for Canberra newbies
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When we hear the word ‘Canberra’, most of us think politics (or circus, the two are interchangeable).
You might also think history, education and arts – the four pillars of any capital city.
But if you’re anything like me before I moved to the capital, you may be thinking something along the lines of “How many roundabouts can I take before I feel sick?” or “Why are the only trees in this city the eucalyptus variety?”
They aren’t, by the way – that was just my somewhat narrow-minded view before I moved to Canberra, fell in love with the city and set out exploring everything it has to offer. At first, I found it hard to ignore those four pillars.
Canberra’s icons and institutions embody everything that is politics, history, education and arts. Think Parliament House, the War Memorial, the National Library or Film and Sound Archive and every wonderful museum, gallery and exhibition.
So, I initially popped the idea of discovering some hidden gems of Canberra on the backburner until I’d played my part as a tourist. But having lived here for almost one year, my list of the not-so-well-known must-visits in Canberra is growing, starting with a big, beautiful, blue lake (and not the one that immediately springs to mind.)
LAKE GINNINDERRA
Lake Ginninderra is the smaller, just as beautiful lake nestled in Canberra’s north side, on the banks of Belconnen. Why do I love it? One side of the lake has a scrubs and bushland feel while the other banks onto the John Knight Memorial Park complete with a disk golf course and a treehouse!
Along the seven kilometre walk around the lake, you’ll likely encounter lots of dogs walking their owners, cyclists and children learning to ride their bikes on a ‘cycle-city’ for kids – complete with give way and stop signs. There’s also numerous barbeque facilities and boat jetties.
NEWACTON
Kudos to you if you didn’t get completely lost the first time you went to NewActon! I foolishly thought typing the suburb into Google Maps would take me to a ‘Welcome to NewActon’ sign. Nope. It took me to a traffic light intersection and yes, I was confused.
If you haven’t yet been, it’s an eclectic cultural precinct where urban architecture and artisan luxe come out to play. Think Balinese-inspired courtyards surrounded by art deco hotels, wine and cocktail bars, and fair-trade coffee.
It’s also home to the award-winning Ovolo Nishi (otherwise known as the big hotel with suspended wood hanging from the lobby ceiling), Monster Kitchen and Bar and Palace Electric Cinemas. It’s the definition of unique and I absolutely love it!
TIPSY BULL
You know what else I love? Gin. Hibiscus infused gin with raspberry and Mediterranean tonic water, actually. And guess what! You can get that right here in Canberra in a gorgeous restaurant by the name of Tipsy Bull.
If those flavours don’t sound like you, this place has more than 180 different gins (along with many flavour enhancers like fruit, herbs and flavoured tonic water) and serves them deconstructed on paddleboards for you to create.
So get out there, fellow new Canberrans, and discover the hidden gems of our nation’s capital. But don’t tell too many people!
Feature image: Martin Ollman
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