QT Canberra: a quirky retreat in the heart of the city

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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QT Canberra brings a new meaning to the term ‘political party’.

If only the walls of the QT Canberra could talk. The quirky reimagined hotel has hosted everyone from celebrities to diplomats and political bigwigs over the past decade. And while there might not be as much cloak-and-dagger bed-hopping or backstabbing as per political drama House of Cards, it’s still a see-and-be-seen kind of stay.

Location

The QT brand reimagined the Rydges Lakeside Hotel in Canberra in 2014. And in doing so, it applied its quirky QT formula of ‘crazy + sexy = cool’ to an extensive redevelopment of the 205-room hotel. The original hotel was built at One London Circuit in 1970 and it has great mid-century Brutalist bones.

the hotel lobby of QT Canberra
Stay in the heart of the city at QT Canberra.

QT Canberra now sits in the arts and cultural precinct of New Acton in the so-called ‘capital of cool’. It’s also a short stroll from Lake Burley Griffin, boasting views from either side, and is a great starting point for a self-guided tour of the best things to do in Canberra.

Style and character

Neon Twitter feeds scroll down mirrors next to the reception, and the wallpaper is a brilliant kaleidoscopic pattern of pollies. The central lobby area also features a few glass-domed cabinets filled with politically themed knick-knacks. If you’re here to hobnob with members of parliament, you’ll be right in position.

the bar and lobby at QT Canberra
QT Canberra’s bar and lobby evokes an eclectic but chic ambience.

The hotel has been designed to embrace the arty and edgy luxury that underpins the QT brand, which is best described as minimalist chic with a monochromatic theme brightened by pops of colour and quirk. And although there are a lot of knowing nods to the hotel’s role in Australia’s political history, it’s worth taking a tour of the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House to see its influence.

QT Canberra, ACT
Settle in to the QT Lounge at the chic Canberra Hotel.

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Facilities

QT Canberra has an onsite restaurant, bar and high tea offering, as well as conference venues, high-speed internet access, room service and undercover parking for guests. You can also hire a bike at reception to take around the nearby lake or take advantage of your Club Lime gym access.

an exclusive dining setup at QT Canberra Sky High Tea
Partake in an afternoon tea at QT Canberra Sky High Tea. (Image: QT Canberra)

Rooms

Although compact, each of the hotel’s rooms and suites are both fun and functional. My suite has a luxurious king-sized custom QT Dream bed and balcony that you can open to breathe in the crisp Canberra air. The pocket-sized bathroom also ticks all the boxes: big mirror, large rain showerhead, good lighting, and quality toiletries from Kevin Murphy.

a look inside the QT Canberra State Suite
QT Canberra State Suite is a stylish two-bedroom penthouse apartment.

Pops of yellow break up the neutral palette of black and white, allowing natural light to butter the space and own the 80s vibes. You will feel like you’re nailing it in your new life as a digital nomad when you book the QT Superior Room, which has fast internet, free wi-fi and an ergonomic desk.

a look inside QT Canberra Superior King Room
Settle in the QT Canberra Superior King Room.

Food and drink

The hotel’s sprawling ground floor is its crowning glory. It encompasses the reception, lobby and lounge areas, plus acts as the entrance to the onsite restaurant, Capitol Bar & Grill. QT is also home to its very own a hidden bar, Lucky’s Speakeasy.

a dimly lit interior at Lucky’s Speakeasy, Canberra
Lucky’s Speakeasy is perfect for an evening cocktail.

Capitol Bar & Grill is one of the city’s best restaurants and is dominated by dark and moody tones. Wooden features and monochromatic, patterned furnishings add a modern feel. It’s also full of playful, cheeky winks and nods to the site’s heavyweight political history.

The menu is both simple and sophisticated, with a focus on fresh produce and Australian flavours. The pasture-fed T-bone Bistecca Fiorentina from the dry-age cabinet coaxes out my inner carnivore and is charred to perfection.

a cosy dining interior at Capitol Bar & Grill, Canberra
Settle in at the Capitol Bar & Grill.

For dessert, I do as the waiter suggests and opt for the tiramisu, with dense layers of creamy mascarpone spiked with a shot of espresso. Choosing from the cheese trolley is also quite the experience and includes some tableside theatrics. I finish with a few wedges of the finest local and imported cheeses, paired perfectly with a glass of red.

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Does QT Canberra have access for guests with disabilities?

QT Canberra is fully wheelchair accessible, including Capitol Bar & Grill. There are two wheelchair accessible King rooms for guests with mobility needs. Rooms and common areas can all be accessed via a wheelchair-friendly lift.

Is QT Canberra family-friendly?

The hotel is a great option for families with children. Kids can stay for free when sharing a room with adults if existing bedding is utilised. Two children aged 12 and under can also enjoy complimentary meals (from the designated kids menu only) when accompanied by a paying adult.

Details

Best for: Artsy types looking for a chic stay in the heart of the action.

Address: 1 London Circuit, Canberra ACT

Phone: (02) 6247 6244

Cost: From $554 per night.

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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Good food, beautiful nature & history: your guide to a long weekend in West Gippsland

(Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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    From rainforest walks and scenic drives to historic gold-rush towns and standout regional dining experiences, you can find it all in West Gippsland.

    Hover over West Gippsland on Google Earth and you’ll see vast tracts of land spread out like green velveteen around the Toorongo Falls Reserve. It’s a landscape that feels almost impossibly lush for a region sitting little more than an hour from Melbourne.

    Track southeast in late autumn and early winter and you’ll see pockets of the Mt Baw Baw Plateau dusted in snow. In addition to the forests of mountain ash veined with creeks and rivers, there are pastures and farmland cross-stitched together to form pretty patchworks.

    But West Gippsland isn’t defined by scenery alone: in addition to its awe-inspiring nature, a Venn diagram of the region includes gold-rush history and great culinary experiences.  Spend a long weekend here and it quickly becomes clear how often these three overlap.

    Getting there

    Messmates Dining west gippsland
    Spend the weekend eating and exploring in West Gippsland. (Credit: Messmates Dining)

    Getting to West Gippsland involves as easy drive – it’s just over an hour out of Melbourne along the Monash Freeway.

    Not driving? Catch the train from Melbourne on the Gippsland line, terminating at either Traralgon or Bairnsdale, and hop off at Warragul or Drouin.

    Visit historic villages

    Walhalla historic township
    Wander into Australia’s Gold Rush history at Walhalla. (Credit: Rob Blackburn)

    The West Gippsland region is on the Traditional Lands of the Kulin and Kurnai nations, specifically linked to the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai and Wurundjeri Peoples, whose connection to Country stretches back thousands of years.

    European settlement occurred in the 19th century as timber cutters, farmers and gold seekers pushed into the region’s dense forests. Small towns grew around sawmills and railway lines, and many of those gold rush settlements, timber towns and railway villages still shape the character of the region today.

    The most evocative of these is Walhalla Historic Township , a remarkably preserved gold-rush township tucked deep in the mountains. In the late 1800s, it was one of Victoria’s richest goldfields. Today visitors can step inside that history at the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine, where underground tours reveal the scale of the mining operation that once powered the town’s prosperity. Nearby, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway retraces part of the original narrow-gauge line through the valley, offering a slow journey past forest and river scenery.

    Further west, Noojee is a classic mountain village. It’s surrounded by dense forest and waterfalls and has become a natural base for exploring the Baw Baw region. Just outside town, Noojee Trestle Bridge stands as one of West Gippsland’s most striking relics of the rail era. The towering wooden structure is the tallest surviving trestle bridge in Victoria and today forms the centrepiece of an easy scenic walk with wide views across the valley.

    Alpine Trout Farm west gippsland
    Catch your own lunch at Alpine Trout Farm. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    At Alpine Trout Farm near Noojee, visitors can fish for trout in mountain-fed ponds before enjoying the catch prepared fresh onsite. It’s a simple experience that reflects the area’s long connection to the surrounding waterways.

    Back in Warragul , the region’s main service town, the story shifts from heritage to modern regional life. With galleries, restaurants and sweeping views across the rolling farmland of Gippsland, the town has become a lively hub linking the district’s past with its evolving food and cultural scene. Drive through the town and you’ll find heritage buildings, old pubs and weatherboard cottages that hint at the area’s early days as a frontier landscape.

    In other towns the past survives in quieter ways – a historic hall here, a century-old bakery there.

    Walks, waterfalls and wild places

    Toorongo Falls in west gippsland
    Stroll Toorongo Falls Reserve. (Credit: Nicky Cawood)

    Even simple roadside stops can feel cinematic in West Gippsland. The region also delivers plenty of opportunities to lace up your walking shoes.

    One of the region’s most rewarding nature escapes lies just outside Noojee at Toorongo Falls Reserve . A network of walking tracks winds through the cool-temperate rainforest where towering mountain ash trees filter the light and the air smells of rich, damp earth. The 2.2-kilometre trail to the viewing platform overlooking Toorongo Falls is short, but spectacular, as the water cascades down over moss-covered rock faces into a cool, green gully in Little Toorongo River.

    Further north, the Mount Baw Baw Alpine Resort offers year-round adventures. In winter, the mountain attracts skiers and snowboarders. The warmer months are just as compelling, with scenic drives to see alpine wildflowers, mountain bike trails and panoramic hiking routes that open across the plateau.

    Cyclists and walkers looking for a more relaxed pace can follow the Rokeby Neerim Rail Trail , which traces a former railway line through farmland and small Gippsland villages. The mostly flat trail passes rolling paddocks, creeks and historic bridges, making it an easy way to drop it down a gear when exploring the countryside.

    Taste the best eats of West Gippsland

    Hogget Kitchen west gippsland
    Taste the best of the region at Hogget Kitchen.

    For many travellers, the real drawcards of West Gippsland are the food and wine. The region sits in the heart of Victoria’s fertile dairy country, and that agricultural backdrop has helped shape a dining scene where seasonal produce and local provenance take centre stage.

    Hogget Kitchen has helped put Warragul firmly on the radar for serious regional dining in West Gippsland. Here, head chef and owner Trevor Perkins runs the kitchen alongside well-known winemakers William (Bill) Downie and Pat Sullivan. Hogget Kitchen lives up to its promise of exceptional destination dining; what lands on the table depends largely on what nearby farms have harvested that week as well as a wine list from Wild Dog Winery and other Gippsland producers.

    Warragul is also where you’ll find Messmates Dining where the kitchen team is led by Michelin-trained chefs. The Euro-leaning bistro and wine bar brings a polished edge to the local dining scene using produce sourced from across West Gippsland.

    For something more casual, the century-old Noojee Hotel is the kind of hub that every traveller dreams of finding after a long drive. Expect generous pub classics served on the sunny deck in summer or beside the crackle of a log fire in winter.  Nearby, rustic Toolshed Bar, Bistro & Cabins is the place to go for a wood-fired pizza topped with smoked local trout paired with Gippsland wine, making it a rewarding stop for lunch or an overnight stay.

    Time your visit with the Truffle Festival

    Food lovers visiting in winter should consider timing their trip to coincide with Noojee Truffle Festival , running from 10 July to 2 August 2026. The inaugural event celebrates the region’s emerging truffle industry with tastings, special menus and events built around one of winter’s most prized ingredients.

    Start planning your long weekend in West Gippsland at visitgippsland.com.au .