Often overlooked by its big city counterparts, Canberra has really shed its underdog status in recent years. The compact city is now a haven of stylish restaurants, boutique shopping, hip cafes and hidden laneway bars. Spice heads to Canberra to uncover some of the city’s exciting new secrets.
Stay: QT Canberra
QT Canberra offers the largest function and event space outside of the Convention Centre. The QT Lounge – situated on the 15th floor – offers some of the best views over Canberra and makes for a perfect spot for private gatherings. Looking for something a little different? Look into hiring out Lucky’s Speakeasy, a prohibition era-style hidden bar. Later on, pop into the Capitol Bar and Grill for delicious meal and a chance for your delegates to mingle outside of the conference room.
https://www.qthotelsandresorts.com/canberra/
Activities: Dave’s Brewery Tours
The buzz around craft beer is showing no signs of abating, so why not take your group on a tour of one of the capital’s coolest breweries? Groups will get the chance to see behind-the-scenes, smell and taste a wide range of craft beers, as well as learn about the intricacies of brewing. Popular local craft breweries include Bentspoke Brewing Co, Zierholz, Wig and Pen and the latest addition, Capital Brewing Co (which has a popular Brodburger van onsite).
www.daves.com.au
Activities: Blue Skies Adventure Tours
Explore Tidbinbilla, a wildlife reserve situated just 40 minutes’ drive from the city centre. Here, you will get the chance to get up close with native Australian wildlife such as emus, kangaroos, wallabies and even platypus’. The day tour also includes a visit to NASA’s Deep Space Tracking Station where you can see an authentic piece of the moon which was brought back by astronaut Buzz Aldren; the original dish that received the famous ‘One small step for man’ speech by Neil Armstrong; and finally the biggest dish in the Southern Hemisphere.
http://blueskytours.com.au/tours/tidbinbilla-nature-walks/
Activities: Dharwa Aboriginal Tours
Learn about significant indigenous sites in the Canberra region on an all new tour presented by Dharwra Aboriginal Tours. Highlights include Aboriginal interpretation of the landscape, bush foods, artefacts and their traditional uses. Some of the locations explored include Mount Majura, Mount Taylor, Black Mountain, Brindabella Mountains and Namadgi National Park.
www.thunderstone.net.au
Stay: East Hotel
Rest your head at designer property, East Hotel. The 140-key property is suited for both the leisure and business traveller. The oversized rooms feature custom-made beds, kitchen facilities, Nespresso coffee machines, complimentary Wi-Fi, plus so much more. There are also flexible meeting spaces on site with the ability to transform from a standard boardroom into a cocktail function room which caters for 100. Choose from the 41 sqm Chronicle Room or the 82 sqm Daily Chronicle Room.
www.easthotel.com.au
Activities: Go Boats
Pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and head out to Lake Burley Griffin for a unique Scandinavian boat experience. The idea first began in Copenhagen in 2014, and has since spread to locations across Denmark, Sweden and most recently London. Canberra is the first location outside of Europe. Each GoBoat accommodates eight guests, is fully equipped with safety equipment, and does not require a boating license operate.
https://goboatcanberra.com.au/
Stay: Mantra Macarthur Hotel
The Mantra Macarthur Hotel on the corner of Canberra’s main thoroughfare Northbourne Ave opened in late September 2017. The full service hotel offers a mix of 136 hotel rooms and 40 suites over eight levels. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a fully equipped gym, onsite dining, plus boardrooms and conference spaces.
https://www.mantra.com.au
