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Canberra CBD

City style meets the beauty of the Australian bush just under three hours drive south-east of Sydney in the Australian Capital Territory. The nation’s heart of political and cultural activity, Canberra is a city in a park that changes with the seasons and is home to Australian icons and hidden treasures. If you’re after restaurants, wineries, shopping, entertainment and world class galleries and museums you’ll find it in Canberra and for those more adventurous our scenic natural surrounds await you.

Stay in Canberra CBD this weekend!

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Canberra CBD Reviews

Politically speaking...Canberra has it all!!, Saturday, 28 June 2008

Written by Frances Williams

Canberra I hear you say...isn't that just for the 'pollies', the bureaucrats and the bores? Definitely not!!! A holiday in Canberra is equal to a trip around the world. The atmosphere of a daytime cosmopolitan society mixed with a night life that can take you to another dimension.

The city centre offers a variety of first class restaurants, bars and casual eateries for every taste and style. The elegant, the casual and everything in between. Culinary delights that taste so good under the shade of a large oak tree in summer, or by a cozy open fire when the days turn cold. Drinks shared with friends in a ritzy cafe with the buzz of the day all around you. This is the Canberra that catches you off guard. This is the Canberra that you weren't really expecting to see.

Shopping is varied, elegant, time consuming yet timeless. Life takes you to a certain 'de jure' dimension - you soon realise that you were meant to be here; this is YOUR place to call home for a little while. The warmth of the city ambiance envelopes you as you venture amongst the myriad of retail outlets.

The accommodation speaks volumes to you. The choices are endless and many within walking distance of the city itself. Leave your car at your hotel and take the short walk to you destination. That's what's good about Canberra City - many of the places can be accessed by foot, leaving you the time to truly feel the vibrancy of the city itself.

Now move within a few kilometres of the city radius and you can embrace the very heart of our nation - the 'House on the Hill'. The memories of the past in the War Memorial, or the place of power and justice in the High Court; all a contrast of emotions, yet a memorable exploration.

However don't stop there because so many other places await you. You'll want to come back again and again, because you'll soon realise that you can't see everything in one go, and you want to see more!! You must see everything!! The wineries, the small hamlets, the winding bike tracks, Questacon, the National Museum, and more cafes for that next coffee! Canberra...at the heart of every Australian beating just for you.
Canberra's great for the under 5s, Sunday, 29 June 2008

Written by Angelina

Canberra is a city best seen in the in between seasons - stunning in spring (and there's Floriade then too), and absolutely breathtaking in autumn with falling leaves of yellow, red and golden browns. We take our three year old to Canberra every 6-12 months and are constantly astounded by the great things to do - especially for kids. The National Museum (on the old royal canberra hospital site) is not only a must-see, it's also free admission! Our little one has always been made welcome by friendly and accessible staff & has a ball racing around the various interactive attractions (both in and out of doors). The cafes at the Museum are also reasonably priced and decent food. Questacon is another must-see - Q-zone for kids is a haven of waterplay, fun and adventure and my daughter constantly talks about her time there. One of the highlights of Canberra is Lake Burley Griffin and the parklands surrounding it. Commonwealth gardens is a vast expanse of wonderland for pre-schoolers needing to run off a bit of energy and there are even cafes for parents to stop and revive that are thoughtfully interspersed around the lake: Regatta Point, the National Library cafe Bookplate (with a lovely outdoor alfresco area - my personal favourite) and further around the lake at the National gallery.
In the CBD itself, a visit is never complete without a merry-go-round ride in the city centre (one of the most beautiful restored carousels you'll see in Australia). In terms of restaurants - my daugher only eats spag bol so we head for the Australian Pizza Kitchen or Woodstock if we are in the city. APK gives out colouring in materials to keep busy hands occupied.
A little further out of town (but not much), is Cockington Green which is cute and compact and has miniature steam train rides and a great picnic area and park for kids.
I grew up in Canberra and admittedly couldn't wait to move to a 'big city' in my 20s, but now I go back as a mother of a littlie and appreciate the great combination of indoor and outdoor activities all available in close proximity to one another. If you want good coffee, you might have to go a little further out to Kingston or Manuka - and many cafes there are kid friendly too - especially during the week.
Capital City, Capital place to Be!, Saturday, 28 June 2008

Written by Jo taylor

The National Capital takes the traveler by surprise! One minute surrounded by native bushland yet the next in the midst of rich cosmopolitan life. From Telecom Tower high up on Black Mountain, to the Botanic Gardens terraced to display unique flora (and, if you are lucky, fauna) from around Australia, to the National Zoo, you are part of this rich eucalypt environment. And yet, the roads lead to well hidden shopping malls filled with people from every race and clime. It's a place of history and wonder, where the engineering feats of the old blend with the new, symbolic of its glad reception of change. Parliamentary avenue, the National Museum and Library, speak of the history and modernity of time in this place as they sit calmly facing the waters of Lake Burleigh Griffin. There is no rush of pace in this city. Pedal boaters risk the spray of the fountain while others move lazily across the water in tour boats.Walkers and joggers seem to be marking time as the romantic bells of the Carillion chime across the Lake. And the food, well...It's a gourmet's delight. At night, while you feast on an exotic dish or two, the city comes to life. It's daily placid exterior lends itself to an excitement of a work or study day at its end. Students, travelers and workers blend in the joy of food and wine and laughter. It's a capital place to be.
Capital place!, Sunday, 29 June 2008

Written by Michele Etingoff-Lourie

Capital ACT! Canberra and its surrounds is a hub for many of the activites both families and singles enjoy. The Art Galleries display Jackson Pollock to Albert Namatjira; the museums are both hands-on and awesome from celebrating the sacrifices of our war veterans to remembrance of times past in the Film archives; cuisines range from Ethiopian to Lebanese; theatre can be challenging or comfortable; snow country is almost a ski ride away; vineyards of quality wine may be sampled; the Monaro slopes take the breath away; natural wonders are in abundance; accommodation can be romantic or utilitarian or both. The ACT is truly the centrepiece of Australia.
A Walk to Remember, Saturday, 12 July 2008

Written by Irene A

Just a few minutes walk from the Canberra Centre, Lake Burley Griffin offers many great places for visitors of all ages to enjoy! Taking a walk from "Bridge to Bridge" at anytime of day, gives you breathtaking views, great places to visit and fantastic food to eat! The walk features the Carillion, Blundell's Cottage, The Captain Cook Jet, the National Gallery, Questacon and the National Library... Just to name a few great places to visit! And for food, why not try the Deck in Regatta Point? It offers great views, great food and a great atmosphere! If you're looking for a place to stay, the new Diamant Hotel in Canberra is a pleasant walk away from the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the Deck and features gorgeous rooms and really friendly staff! The walk takes roughly 50mins to an hour to complete without stopping by any of the sites. However, I suggest taking a day to enjoy the bells at the Carillion, the scrumptious food, the beauty of the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery and especially the great views of Canberra! The walk is suitable for families too! Questacon Science Centre offers great educational activities for kids of all ages!

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