Having been to Australia in general and Sydney in particular a few time, first thing that struck me on visiting Canberra was why didn’t I come here earlier. This city was such a revelation. It is one of the best planned capital cities in the world. The scenic beauty, cultural activities and the beautiful setting of the cafés and restaurants hook you.
Best way to begin is to head straight to Lake Burley Griffin, the picturesque centre of the city. It is named after Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who designed Canberra. There are ample dining out options here offering an amazing ambience and good food. To experience dining at a pristine setting with unmatched views of the lake, visit The Marion for a high tea. For a casual experience, The Jetty Cafe is a good option.
Modern Australian cuisine is fast becoming the norm and is served at most cafés and restaurants. As with most Australian cities, Canberra too is obsessed with coffee and prides itself on being one of the best destinations for it. There are many options in the city that serve good food and coffee. Rye, Gather, Arc and Intra are some of the cafés we got to try during the stay. They are known for their coffee. Local Press cafe was a nice modern Australian cafe that served food made using unrefined, unprocessed ingredients that are also free of unnecessary additives and preservatives.
Being the seat of power of Australia, Canberra gets many high profile visitors. As a result, fine dining and cocktail bar scene in the city is also very good. Rebel Rebel, Inka, Raku and Such and Such are some of the most frequented dining options in the heart of the city. Many in the city rate High Jinks and Bar Rochford as two of the best options for drinks.
If you’ve seen images of family picnics against a clear blue sky on lush green lawns in Australia and want to experience the same, Canberra is the place for it. There are ample open spots in the city that are extremely popular with families for a leisurely day out. While vast green spaces around the Lake Burley Griffin are very popular, we got to enjoy a leisurely picnic on GoBoat, an environment friendly electric boat experiencing a panoramic view of the city while sailing slowly on the lake. Visitors can pre book a cheese board and a grazing box and experience the city and the lake from a whole new angle.
After you’ve explored all the cafés and diners, keep a day to explore the vineyards and breweries around Canberra. Barely a few minutes drive from the city centre, these are boutique vineyards that offer some of the finest wines in the region. Afternoon tasting sessions are popular with tourists and locals alike. Mount Majura Vineyard is one of the best for experiencing finest local wines while Capital Brewing Co and BentSpoke Brewing Co are just an ideal places for beer lovers.
Indians visiting Australia should definitely add Canberra to their Australian itinerary. It is a capital worth experiencing and exploring.