Your Guide to an Ideal Weekend in Australia's Capital

There are still plenty of surprises to uncover in the nation’s capital.

For everything that stays the same in Canberra – the sturdy spire of Parliament House, the diminutive dwellings of Cockington Green, the delightful lack of traffic – there’s a lot that pushes the envelope. From the known to the new, here are the places to visit on your next trip to the ACT.

The restaurants

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Whether it’s a whole pineapple, an imposing tomahawk steak or the freshest bonito fillet, the preparation of produce at Terra has one thing in common: fire. The application takes different forms – it could be chargrilled, smoked, woodfired and turned on the custom-built rotisserie – but the unmistakable flavour of flame remains. Almost six years on from opening, this CBD eatery remains one of the city’s best.

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Canberra’s terroir is in the spotlight at Beltana Farm, a sprawling new stay that’s surrounded by 800 truffle trees in the western suburb of Pialligo. Anchored by luxury yurt accommodation with slate floors and fireplaces, the farm hosts truffle-hunting tours and long, lingering meals at the on-site farmhouse restaurant. The menu sparkles with hyper-local spoils, from native oregano to Pialligo honey. The must-try? The decadent truffle ice-cream with white chocolate and malt caramel.

The breweries

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For a small city, Canberra has a notable number of microbreweries. Seven years in, carbon-neutral Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick fills to capacity during postwork hours, with punters lingering over the extensive list of pours. Try its latest tipple: a zingy, alcoholic ginger beer made with roots from Buderim.

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The newest addition to the scene is Cypher Brewing Co. in the city’s north, a spin-off for Capital’s former head brewer Matt Thiele. There are the requisite pale ales and pilsners but keep an open mind – a Raspberry Sundae Sour or NEIPA (New England Pale Ale) could be just the ticket, especially when paired with a lobster roll.

The family fun

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Despite celebrating its 35th birthday in 2023, the science odyssey that is Questacon is just as captivating as you remember. For parents, visiting the multi-level museum is layered: while fondly recalling its drawcards (the caged lightning strike, the dizzying array of oddities at the gift shop), you’ll also admire how timeless it is. All eyes are on the refurb of Mini Q, the STEMbased activity area aimed at kids aged zero to six that rolls out this year. It’s a full update (the first in 20 years) of the activities, aesthetics and direction of the sensory space – it already has a calm zone for over-stimulated littlies.

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The National Museum of Australia recently added the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Gallery, a joyfully immersive place of foam pits and sunshineyellow slides. There’s also the magical POD Playground at the National Arboretum, west of Capitol Hill, where you’ll discover climbable, cubby-sized acorns joined by tunnels of nets that could be straight from Enid Blyton.

The stay

The jet-black box of A By Adina marks the corner of Constitution Place, bringing Canberra’s architecture into the now. Inside, spacious and quiet apartments have kitchenettes and Hunter Lab amenities, while Dreamcatcher beds coax restful sleep (even more likely with the kids in an adjoining room).

SEE ALSO: We’ve Found the Best Architectural Buildings in Canberra