Australia – Enjoy the majestic beauty of the stunning nature

Few destinations celebrate Spring the way Canberra does; with the stunning annual flower festival, Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring, returns to Commonwealth Park. Dive into this year’s theme, Floral Wonderland, inviting you to explore the magical charm of over one million blooms. Experience a diverse program of live music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market stalls, and more as Floriade celebrates all things flowers, food and gardens.

Enjoy nature close to city comforts

They say that Canberra is a nature park that just happens to have iconic national attractions tucked into its leafy corners. This makes it the perfect place to get outside and enjoy the majestic beauty of nature, just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from the city centre and surrounds. Why not try a local’s favourite nature hike, like making it to the top of Mount Ainslie or Black Mountain? Or give a go at trig-pointing if you’re ticking a few local peaks off your list.

When the sun really comes out, do as the locals do and sit waterside with a good book or take an ambitious dip into the running water. Local favourites include Casuarina Sands or Uriarra Crossing, both with shady spots and swimming holes, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Or explore Cotter Avenue Recreation Area, which is the ideal venue for picnics, swimming, fishing, or bushwalking year round.

If you’re a self-guided explorer, check out some of the lesser-known history of Australia’s capital with Canberra Tracks, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Or walk your way through a game of disc golf at Weston Park, for some fun in the sun. For a guided experience, why not join in with a Brunelee Excursions on Horseback adventure for a viewpoint of the Canberra region unlike any other?

Sunshine, sips, and savoury treats

Canberrans are lucky to combine their love of good food and good views on a regular basis, with more outdoor dining spots for lunch and dinner than you can shake a stick at. After a picnic alongside Lake Burley Griffin, why not head to an outdoor bar for a sunset and a nightcap? Try Margot Bar, The Jetty, Armada Bar or House of Bubbles for a water-side tipple.

Venture further out to explore the Canberra District Wine Region and enjoy the spring air in your hair as you cycle from one cellar door to the next, on a bike tour of Murrumbateman’s off-road winery trail. Or keep combining movement and wine with a Sunday morning spent at Namaste Rosé.

Take dining to the next level while enjoying a feast in one of Waters Edge Restaurant’s unique Dining Domes on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Or sail the water yourself in a private GoBoat, complete with sips, dips, and views of some of Canberra’s most iconic attractions on the shoreline.

Fun for the whole family

For fun in the sun, there’s no better first stop than a jaunt across Lake Burley Griffin with Capital Paddle, in your very own pedal-powered, colourful paddle boat. Or explore more by foot through the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which is home to the world’s most comprehensive display of living Australian plants, walking trails, educational activities, lawns for running and playing, numerous picnic tables, a café, and a bookshop. Hop onto a Secrets of the Australian Bush adventure tour while you’re there to take a closer, family-friendly look.

During a long weekend adventure in the sun, you can’t go past the local fare at one of the region’s famed markets. Start a Saturday off at Capital Region Farmers Markets for live music, local goods, and the hum of chatter between the producers and their customers. Or meander through the stalls at The Little Burley Market and bring the kids to enjoy delicious foods alongside free events, activities, and crafts

Of course, you can’t beat the National Zoo & Aquarium for a (mostly) outdoor experience that’s sure to excite and delight the whole family. You can even pat a cheetah, feed a bear, or become acquainted with a meerkat during some of the most amazing hands-on animal experiences in Australia.