As I stepped off the plane, I realised how little I actually knew about Australia’s capital. People often write off Canberra as a place of politics, not holidays. But within a few hours, it was clear Canberra had more going on than it is given credit for.
Here is what three days in Canberra can feel like.
Day 1: From lake to latte
We begin at dawn with a slow glide across Lake Burley Griffin. The Love Boat — a self-driven cruiser you can hire for up to two hours — may sound cheeky at first, but as we move along watching the city fan out beyond its banks, it is clear why locals say it is the perfect introduction to Canberra.
The Love Boat on Lake Burley Griffin
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
You do not need a boating license. Just bring along a little sense of adventure, while you are at the helm, captaining your own little boat. As we move past the National Museum and Parliament House, black swans glide alongside, and cyclists pass along the shore. While out on the water here, steering the wheel, and munching on the snacks we brought along, Canberra was unknowingly giving us a feel of what was to come.
Back on land, the city’s cultural side was waiting to welcome us. The National Museum of Australia gives a glimpse of life across Australia. “Everything here has a story,” says our guide, as we wander around the interactive displays and stand under beautiful sculptural installations. One moment, you are eyeing a Holden from the ’60s, the next, you are inside a room telling us the stories of the past. The First Australians gallery and the Great Southern Land exhibition are among the museum’s major attractions. Entry is free for visitors and you can choose a guided tour or explore at your own pace.
The day continues at the ONA coffee house in Fyshwick. Inside what looked like an industrial warehouse, ONA takes its role in Canberra’s coffee scene a little playfully. Once a week, they host a cupping session: the industry’s method for evaluating coffee flavours. We lean towards bowls of freshly ground coffee, pour hot water over it, crack the crust from the top, inhale the strong aroma of the coffee, and slurp from cupping spoons, getting the taste of the bean at its barest. Some are fruity, others are rich and chocolatey, and everyone left there with a caffeine kick and a favourite in hand.
During a cupping session at ONA Coffee
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
Day two: Wines and chocolate
Just half an hour away from the city, Brindabella Hills is a small escape from the rush. As we reach the countryside, we see green fields and vineyards, with small groups of kangaroos hopping through the valleys. Most vineyards are run by families here and the people pouring you the glass of wine are the ones who made it. Vineyard tours run twice a day and are not about wine tasting. You will get the chance to walk through the vineyards, meet passionate winemakers, hear their stories and sip wines made over time.
Vineyards at Brindabella Hills Winery
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
In between, we find a few baby goats near the fence, looking at us. Visitors can feed them, we are told, and soon a few nibble grain from our palms.
There is a warmth in this side of the city. Our guide calls it the “Australian Tuscany,” and on a good day, with a lunch in the hills and a glass of Riesling, it is easy to believe her.
And, there are chocolates too. We find them at Murrumbateman Chocolate Co., a small shop along the road back from the winery. Their chocolates are made with native ingredients like wattleseed, lemon myrtle, and Davidson plum. Every bite of the chocolate, along with the vineyard view and chilly weather, made the Brindabella Hills experience feel wholesome.
Chocolate tastings at Murrumbateman Chocolate Co
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
Between stops
Between wines and chocolates, the National Arboretum gives a pause. This was once a pine forest lost in the 2003 bushfires. Now it is home for 94 forests with more than 44,000 trees from different parts of the world. Entry is free and it is open every day.
We walk through the path with bonsai and bottle trees on the side, then make our way up to Dairy Farmers Hill. A steel eagle sculpture watches over the grounds. Some hike or cycle here. Others just spread out picnic blankets under the sun.
Views from the National Arboretum
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
Day Three: Gin and a hike
The Canberra Distillery, a barrel-lined space in Mitchell, becomes our classroom for the day. In a cosy tasting room lined with bottles, we taste six gins, each introduced with its story. We taste them in four different ways: first, neat, then with ice, tonic, and finally with garnishes like dried apple or rose petals.
From a lavender-toned French Earl Grey gin that turns pink with tonic to a bold Blood Orange gin, the tasting becomes a play of senses. You do not need to book to pop in. Walk-in tastings run six days a week. Bonus: you leave a little giddier and more appreciative of how much heart goes into every bottle.
Gin tasting at The Canberra Distillery
| Photo Credit:
Hiranwathi
Our last stop is Mount Ainslie Lookout. Just 10 minutes away from the city, the lookout is free to access. This was the view captured by Marion Mahony Griffin, an American architect who, along with her husband Walter Burley Griffin, helped design the city.
He called it a “city of the future,” and after all these years, that vision holds. You can hike the 4 km trail behind the War Memorial if you are feeling a little adventurous. But reaching just before sunset and eager to end the last day in the city with a beautiful memory, we opt for the scenic drive. From the top, the full view of the city opens up: Parliament at its heart, Lake Burley Griffin circling the city, and the Brindabella Hills in the far, turning golden.
Canberra at night from Mount Ainslie Lookout
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images
On my final morning, I drink a flat white sitting outside my hotel watching the city wake, thinking about all I have seen. As a city, with a rich history and culture, Canberra does not seek our attention with bright lights or big glory, but in the quiet, it offers exactly what you did not know you were looking for.
The writer was in Canberra on the invitation of Tourism Australia
Published – December 19, 2025 07:03 pm IST
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