A Canberra Guidebook - from Newdegate St Deakin
Food scene
Double Shot Deakin
7 Hopetoun CctBest local coffee and brunch (5 mins walk from home)
Deakin & Me
7 Geils CourtGood new restaurant that has opened in 2022 (10 mins walk from house)
Red Brick Espresso
35 Curtin PlExcellent coffee (5 mins drive)
Urban Pantry
5 Bougainville StGreat restaurant amongst others in Manuka (5 mins drive)
Two Blind Mice Curtin
44 Curtin PlaceExcellent pub and restaurant (5 mins drive)
Bar Rochford
65 London CctDinner and drinks - good spot in the Canberra nightlife
Molly
Odgers LaneGreat cocktails
Ondine - European Brasserie
7 Duff PlBeautiful European Brasserie (5 mins walk) upper end dinner option.
Italian pizzeria (5 mins walk) great quality food, best pizza in Canberra.
10 locals recommend
Locale Pizzeria
5 Hopetoun CctItalian pizzeria (5 mins walk) great quality food, best pizza in Canberra.
Verity Lane
Verity LaneGood collection of bars
Local wine bar with a great selection. Cheeseboards and chacuterie available also (5 mins drive from the house)
Cork & Glass
25 Bentham StreetLocal wine bar with a great selection. Cheeseboards and chacuterie available also (5 mins drive from the house)
Sightseeing
National Arboretum Canberra
Forest DriveNice walks available and good for kite flying
Canberra Yacht Club
1 Mariner PlNational Gallery of Australia
Parkes Place EastNational Portrait Gallery
King Edward TerraceFantastic tours and question time is open to the public during sitting weeks.
202 locals recommend
Parliament House
Parliament DriveFantastic tours and question time is open to the public during sitting weeks.
The Museum of Democracy ot Old Parliament House is worth a visit.
105 locals recommend
Old Parliament House
18 King George TerraceThe Museum of Democracy ot Old Parliament House is worth a visit.
Australian War Memorial
Treloar Crescent (top of Anzac Parade)Haig Park Village Markets
Every sunday 8am - 1pm
National Capital Exhibition
Barrine DriveGoBoat Canberra
8 Trevillian QuayRed Hill Lookout, is a bush trail for walking just near the house. Hike to the top of the mountain, of simply around the trails. Enjoy the views and being in the bush, while in the centre of the capital. (3 mins drive from house)
Red Hill Drive
Red Hill DriveRed Hill Lookout, is a bush trail for walking just near the house. Hike to the top of the mountain, of simply around the trails. Enjoy the views and being in the bush, while in the centre of the capital. (3 mins drive from house)
The ultimate science museum for children (ages 2-13). Fun for adults too.
146 locals recommend
Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
King Edward TerraceThe ultimate science museum for children (ages 2-13). Fun for adults too.
The National Dinosaur Museum
6 Gold Creek RdGreat for kids.
Cockington Green Gardens
11 Gold Creek RdA nice walk and fun for kids.
Neighbourhoods
Several little breakfast cafes, restaurants and some shops. A local shopping area nearby worth stopping into.
13 locals recommend
Manuka
Several little breakfast cafes, restaurants and some shops. A local shopping area nearby worth stopping into.
Kingston Foreshore has both the breakfast cafes, bars and restaurants facing the water and nice walks around the lake depart from here. There is also the Canberra Go Boat company here where you can hire boats and tour the lake.
26 locals recommend
Kingston
Kingston Foreshore has both the breakfast cafes, bars and restaurants facing the water and nice walks around the lake depart from here. There is also the Canberra Go Boat company here where you can hire boats and tour the lake.
Weston Park is a peninsula near the house with playgrounds for children, walks, mini golf and a children's train station (5 mins drive from house)
Weston Park Road
Weston Park RoadWeston Park is a peninsula near the house with playgrounds for children, walks, mini golf and a children's train station (5 mins drive from house)
Braddon
Collection of cars and shops near the city.
City advice
Don't miss
Walking tours
Canberra can seem a bit quiet. A great way to get across the history is the 'She Shapes History' Walking tours that operate most days, and have a page on social media for bookings. These focus on Parliamentary history and the espionage history of Canberra.
Getting around
Transport
Taking ubers or driving your own car is preferable in Canberra, where the bus system is good but not frequent. In cold weather you can be waiting up to 20 mins at a bus stop - most places are fairly short drives (5-15 mins) so tend to be good value via uber.
What to pack
Canberra winters
Canberra winters are genuinely cold which people can underestimate. Temperatures get to -2 degrees easily in the mornings between June - August. Bring warm weather clothing, especially for children who may like to play outdoors.
Travelling with kids
Canberra buses have room for prams
Canberra is a very child friendly city and buses and trams will all accomodate prams, and lower their wheels to help you board.
Travelling with kids
Great places to go for young children
Canberra is very outdoors friendly and has some great places for children. For entertaining your children, try:
- Questacon, the Science Museum
- The National Zoo
- Weston Park Train
- Flip out canberra (for older children) a trampoline park in Mitchell
- National Dinosaur Museum
- Cockington Green, miniature world garden walk
Look up kids in Canberra things to do, for plenty of options.