Canberra’s famously cool weather makes for some picture-perfect scenes. Photo: Karyn Starmer.
It’s tempting to retreat into the warmth and comfort of the home when winter comes around – but that’d be a mistake. Just because the days are shorter doesn’t mean there’s less going on in the capital. Canberra buzzes year round with plenty to see, do, taste and cheer.
Canberra in winter has some signature sights, snow on the distant Brindabella Ranges, frost on Parliament House lawns and legions of early risers walking along the lake. It’s a special time of year for the bush capital.
Here are some suggestions to help motivate you to pack the puffer jacket and head to the capital this winter.
The Christmas in July Festival is back! Photo: BBR Agency.
Christmas in July Festival
When: 3-6 July
Where: Patrick White Lawns, Parkes
Cost: Free entry.
The Christas in July Festival is one of Canberra’s favourite events of the year, and there’s good reason why.
Inspired by the great Christmas markets of Europe, the festival transforms Canberra’s lakefront into an alpine village, complete with authentic wooden chalets, towering nutcrackers and over 40 real pine trees.
Attendees will be able to toast marshmallows, sip hot drinks, and watch the lake shimmer as the fire crackles. There will also be more than 20 pop-up restaurants bringing treats from across the world like raclette, bubbling cheese fondue, gnocchi in creamy mushroom sauce, Austrian schnitzels, oversized bratwursts, Belgian fries, and even lobster rolls. Sweet offerings include sugar-dusted waffles, cinnamon rolls, flaky French pastries and Nutella-stuffed crêpes.
Bullseye! Photo: Axxe.
Axxe and Breakr – Axe throwing and smash room
Where: 4/1 Lyell St, Fyshwick
Cost: From $50 per person. Many packages available. Book online.
For something a bit different, Axxe and Breakr in Fyshwick offers a truly unique entertainment option for visitors.
Its central activity is axe throwing, where customers get to test their throwing hand and try their best to get the bullseye by lobbing hatchets at a wood board. Open for corporate events, families, parties or just a group looking to peg an axe as hard as possible without getting police involved, you’ll be surprised how much fun it is.
You can also try out the smash rooms, something you may have seen on social media. Enter a room full of delicate and easily destructible objects with face protection and a bat, the rest is fairly obvious. If you feel the call of wanton destruction, flying glass and wrecked furniture, a smash room may be just the thing you need.
A new reality awaits you and your mates. Photo: Jolt Games.
VR gaming with Zero Latency
Where: Zero Latency VR Canberra, 56 Hoskins St, Mitchell
Cost: $49 to $59. Book online.
For an immersive experience quite unlike anything else, VR Gaming with Zero Latency lets you drop into the world of a space battle, an undead apocalypse, or even the world of Far Cry or Warhammer 40K to test your mettle against all manner of relentless enemies. Visitors don VR goggles, pick up their guns and are completely immersed in the virtual world of their choice.
Great for parties, corporate events, kids over 10, birthdays and more, Zero Latency pits you and your chosen few against digital enemies. Who will prevail? It’s all up to you in this exciting, out-of-this-world experience.
Paul Cézanne’s Portrait of Madame Cézanne, an intimate marital portrait of the artist’s wife. Image: National Gallery of Australia.
Cézanne to Giacometti – Exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia
When: 31 May to 21 September, 10 am to 5 pm
Where: National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place East, Parkes
Cost: Adult tickets $25 | Concession and student tickets $22 | Gallery member $20 | Child (0 – 17) Free. Bookings required.
Bringing together more than 80 works from the Museum Berggruen in Berlin with more than 75 works from the NGA’s collection, this exhibition examines the moments in art history when European artists and their counterparts in Australia made contact and inspired each other. Marking the first time such works will be seen in Australia, this celebration of the internationalism of art brings together the stories of Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso with Australians such as Russell Drysdale, Grace Cossington Smith, John Passmore and Dorrit Black.
For those looking to expand their knowledge of art or better understand Australia’s artistic place in the world, this is an unparalleled opportunity to see the joint story of how Europe and Australia changed art in perspective, colour, material and subject matter.
Raiders fans have three home games to look forward to this winter. Photo: Jaye Grieshaber.
Raiders winter games
When: Three home games in July – 5 July, 19 July and 27 July
Where: GIO Stadium Canberra, Battye St, Bruce ACT
Cost: Tickets from $35. Book online.
Canberra’s Green Machine is a point of pride in the capital and we’re lucky that in winter, in the month of July alone, we have three home games.
On 5 July, the Raiders lock horns with the St George Illawarra Dragons, while on 19 July they go face to face with the Parramatta Eels. To finish the month, the Raiders battle the Knights on 27 July.
The matches against the Dragons and Eels include NRLW home fixtures, giving crowds twice the opportunity to cheer on the Raiders.
Buy a three-, four- or six-game membership with the Raiders and get a membership pack and seating benefits.
Mount Majura is Canberra’s home of award-winning wine. Photo: Mount Majura.
Cellar door tastings at Mount Majura Vineyard
Where: Mount Majura Vineyard, 88 Lime Kiln Rd, Majura ACT
Cost: From $20 to $45. Book online.
Nothing warms you up quite like wine and Canberra is lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the finest grape country in Australia. Mount Majura, located 15 minutes from Canberra’s centre, is a stellar local winery that grows and bottles trophy-winning Riesling, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Rosé, as well as more specialty wines including Graciano and Ansonica.
Mount Majura Vineyard wants to share its wine making. It’s why it has multiple wine tasting options and sessions including the Local Favourites tasting where drinkers get to enjoy the vineyard’s most popular wines. Or try the Winemakers Choice tasting which showcases the best of regional wines. It also hosts picnics where you can enjoy a bottle set to the backdrop of the winery.
Places to stay
After an afternoon screaming yourself hoarse, retire to the Canberra Rex Hotel at a discounted rate. Photo: Raiders.
Canberra Rex Hotel
Where: Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City
Cost: Prices vary.
Coming to town to see the Green Machine in action but don’t have anywhere to stay? The Canberra Rex Hotel offers a 15 per cent discount on accommodation for footy fans coming to see Canberra’s favourites in action. Conveniently located on Northbourne Avenue, the Canberra Rex Hotel is a 15-minute drive from the action at GIO Stadium, meaning a trek to the game is easy. When the game’s over, the best of the city is available just to the south.
Stay close to where you want to go with one of the many Abode Hotels located around Canberra. Photo: Abode Hotels.
Abode Hotels
Where: Gungahlin, Belconnen, Kingston, Narrabundah and Woden
Cost: Prices vary.
Looking to stay somewhere self-contained? Want to bring the whole family along – including the pup? Abode Hotels have locations all over Canberra making it easy for you to choose the location best suited for your trip! Pssst… if you book direct with their website, use the code ‘BOOKSMART’ to receive a discount, early check-in and late check-out when you stay.
Canberra is always alive with heaps to see and do. For a comprehensive guide to the best events in town, read Region Canberra’s weekly event guide.
