The green leather booths at Bar Rochford (barrochford.com) are made from the same material that’s used in the House of Representatives, where it was chosen as a nod to both the British Parliament’s House of Commons and the green of the Australian bush. Bar Rochford is beloved Australia-wide for its expertly curated wine list that juggles the home-grown and the from-far-afield with aplomb – try the Mada Wines Sauvignon Blanc for an excellent local drop. People have been known to let loose up here; the dancing starts around 10pm on a Friday or Saturday night.
Where to stay
The Ovolo Nishi (ovolohotels.com/ovolo/nishi) building is a Japanese-inspired, sustainably produced, architectural jungle of wooden beams, clay and concrete. The grand staircase, which leads to the New Acton cultural precinct, is a mish-mash of jutting wooden beams. From the right angle it gives the impression of time whizzing past – it’s wild. The guest rooms are a spacious mix of concrete walls, enormous plush beds and mid-Century furniture. Tip: book directly through Ovolo to enjoy the minibar for free.
Choosing one of the diminutive rooms at Little National (littlenationalhotel.com.au) is a cost-effective and savvy choice for couples, solo travellers, or families with one child, who plan to spend the bulk of their time exploring Canberra and don’t need a spacious room in which to linger. The location is excellent for proximity to government buildings and museums, the rooms are stylish, and guests have free access to the five-star facilities of sister property, Realm, located just across the road.
Escape the city
It’s a 40-minute drive to Lake George Winery (lakegeorgewinery.com.au), known for its exceptional shiraz, riesling, pinot noir and tempranillo. In addition to wine tastings, the bistro is an ideal spot for an early dinner, as the sun sets over the vines. If you don’t want to schlep the 40-minutes back to the city after a long lunch (and accompanying wines), there is the option to make it a sleepover – guests can stay in the tiny, sustainable cottage, ‘Little George’.