You don’t need a beach to have a good summer in the country’s capital.
Canberra might not have a beach, but that doesn’t stop locals from embracing long, hot summer days with glee.
With many natural waterholes to dip into (Kambah Pool and Cotter Nature Reserve for starters), never-ending hiking trails and parks, and a beloved lake that sizzles with summertime life, it’s a place to truly embrace outdoor living.
Taste a Canberra summer at these restaurants and bars…
Embrace outdoor living like locals with fish and chips at Yarralumla Yacht Club while the kids play on the lawns. Mix pizza and summer cocktails at lakeside Margot Bar, or chill in Capital Brewing’s beer garden at funky Dairy Road.
Beltana Farm brings rustic fine dining to nursery-filled Pialligo, accolade-gathering Onzieme boasts relaxed, sophisticated fare while Edgar’s Inn in Ainslie elevates pub grub, especially upstairs.
Beltana Farm in Pialligo offers rustic fine dining at its best. (Image: Visit Canberra)
At historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra, a stroll from the galleries, step back in time with grand interiors and spacious courtyard gardens perfect for evening tipples.
Midnight Hotel is a sleek stay. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
Take to Lake Burley Griffin in a GoBoat. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)
Get revved up in January as Summernats car-lovers’ festival roars into town or taste and travel the world at February’s National Multicultural Festival.
Annual Summernats car festival roars into town. (Image: Visit Canberra/Doug Dobing)
Hot tip:Canberra is a big cultured city with a laid-back country feel. What other capital offers sprawling vineyards such as Nick O’Leary and Mount Majura, with wine tastings and long, slow lunches just 20 minutes from the CBD? And while we love our hot, dry days, what a relief when the temperatures dip at night for sweet, sweat-free slumber.
Nick O’Leary is just one of many nearby vineyards. (Image: Lean Timms)
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Christine Aldred is a travel writer and avid wanderer. She loves delving under the surface of places she visits to uncover their histories, tales and culinary highlights, and sharing the finds. She’s somewhat obsessive about taking photos, is a chronic over-packer and spends way too much time online.
See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.
By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.
From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.
This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.
1. Share in ghostly tales
Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)
If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.
You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.
2. Wander art installations
See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)
Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.
For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.
3. Learn through lasers
Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)
Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.
The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.
4. Light up the lake
Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)
Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.
You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.
5. Be captivated by local culture
Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)
Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.
Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.
6. Discover a winter glow
See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)
Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.
Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.
Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.
