10 tips on how to make the most of an icy Canberra winter
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Tired of shivering through the day? We hear you!
After a cold autumn, winter has officially come to Canberra and it brought its (in)famous bitterly cold days, which have taken no time at all to make their presence known. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to bunker down and hibernate at home waiting for warmer weather so, here are our top tips for surviving, and making the most of a Canberra winter!
Keep warm while taking in Canberra’s national galleries and museums.
National Portrait Gallery director Bree Pickering with Shea Kirk and his winning portrait Ruby (left view), 2022 Shea Kirk.
Canberra is home to many national institutions including the National Art and Portrait Gallery, National Museum, and many more. Not only are these buildings climate controlled for visitors’ comfort, but they are also usually full of various interesting and exciting exhibitions sure to keep you entertained, educated, and inspired, all whilst keeping out of the icy weather.
Relax at your local Canberra library.
A cosy day reading is a day well spent.
Love keeping warm with a good book on a cold winter’s day but don’t love the price of new books? Why not take your love for reading out and relax at one of the local ACT libraries? With a cosy, warm, environment, and plenty of books to choose from, the ACT libraries are the perfect wintery weather alternative for any bookworm.
Get active with a brisk walk, hike, or bike ride.
Mount Ainslie is always a hit.
One of the best ways to keep yourself warm is to get active! Luckily, Canberra is well equipped with walking, hiking, and biking trails*, keeping you active and moving, whilst taking in the beautiful natural scenery of the city. From Mount Stromlo hiking and biking trails to leisurely walks around the scenic Lake Ginninderra, there is something to suit all fitness levels and exercise styles.
*For your safety, listen to local authorities about the conditions and advice of the trails. Visit parks.act.gov.au for more information.
Get active indoors.
Rock climbing at Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing is fun and keeps you fit!
Not keen on the outdoors but still want to keep active? We have the answer for you. With school holidays right around the corner, indoor activities such as Canberra Indoor Rock Climbing in Mitchell, and Flip Out in Hume, Mitchell, and Majura, are a fantastically fun way for the kids (and yourself, of course) to burn off some energy. Be sure to keep an eye out for school holiday discounts and specials!
Warm up with a hot-chocolate and churros at San Churros.
Nothing says ‘winter’ like a hot chocolate.
Nothing beats a hot chocolate and churros from San Churros, (in Woden or Canberra City), on a cold day. The San Churros locations offer a cosy, warm, and inviting café environment for you to relax with friends and family (or even by yourself for some much-needed alone time), with some deliciously warm churros, hot chocolates, coffees, and much more.
Visit one of Canberra’s unique bakeries.
Three Mills coffee run? Don’t mind if I do.
Canberra is home to many unique and interesting bakeries scattered throughout the capital. With fresh and hot pies, warm bread, and of course, coffee to suit any palate, there’s bound to be something to keep you warm on a cold bitter day at each bakery. From Three Mills Bakery in Fyshwick to Knead Bakery in Belconnen, the opportunities to experience all of Canberra’s unique, and at times quirky bakeries, are endless!
Visit the Old Bus Depot Markets on Sundays.
Sunday in Canberra? Sorted.
Canberra’s creative spirit is again on display with the Kingston Old Bus Depot Markets. Running every Sunday, local vendors from around the city showcase their creative energy at the indoor markets. With vendors selling all the goodies you need (and “need”), from wool clothing, and breads, to mulled wine and hand-made soy candles, there really is no better way to spend your Sunday in Canberra.
Enjoy the views over Canberra from the National Arboretum.
Let the kids run wild on the Pod Playground.
Not only does the National Arboretum host beautiful views of Canberra’s Inner North, creating a prime location for picnics on the lawns, or coffee at the indoor lounge, but it is also home to one of Canberra’s most unique exhibitions. The Warm Tree exhibition is held each July at the National Arboretum, with volunteers making metre-long hand-made scarves that are wrapped around a selection of trees. This creative effort brings a little cosiness and colour to the trees, many of which are endangered species.
Go truffle hunting.
Dogs, chef-cooked food, wine, and a cosy-warm truffle shed, what’s not to love?
A fantastic Canberra winter activity, Canberra is home to Australia’s premier truffle hunting destination, specialising in professionally run truffle hunts and cooking demonstrations during winter. Rugging up to the experience is made all worth it when watching the team of highly trained truffle dogs roam through the 3,000 trees on the farm, as they sniff out the black truffles. Once they find them, head back to the warm truffle shed to learn the ins and outs of this Canberra-renowned delicacy, before having a chef whip up an exciting array of decadent dishes, accompanied by matching local wines for you to try. To sum up, dogs, chef-cooked food, wine, and a cosy-warm truffle shed, what’s not to love?
See Canberra from a different angle with a hot air balloon ride.
Photography: Photox – Canberra Photography Services.
The early—and albeit frosty—morning is made all worth it once you see Canberra from the spectacular views above in one of the famous Canberra hot air balloons. Take in the awe-inspiring and historical architecture of the city, and the vast greenery that gives the territory the name “The Bush Capital”, from 3000 feet above the ground. It is truly an experience that will stick with you for a lifetime.
Feature image via facebook.com/sanchurro
