48 Hours in Canberra
If you’re like me, Canberra has never been high on the travel wishlist. But my oh my I was wrong to judge! Typically, I’m not a city lover, I much prefer to spend my time on the coast, or up in the mountains. But for Canberra I’ll make an exception. Here’s the rundown.
Our weekend was pretty much a jam-packed food tour. We have some beautiful friends who live in Canberra, so got the local intel.
EAT & DRINK
“The monster is a herbivore” - a fully vego restaurant that spans the entire ground level of the Ovolo hotel. A moody vibe with an eclectic collection of art and furniture, an elevated cocktail list, a bunch of quirk, friendly staff, and a menu that heroes local produce, Monster is unmissable.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m a sucker for a good, freshly baked, plain croissant. The type that is flaky with a little crunch but not dry, buttery without being greasy enough to soak the paper bag, and doughy but not dense. Sonoma did it. Head there in the morning for a still-warm croissant that tears apart exactly as a croissant should. The four cheese and onion toastie also gets an honourable mention!
Shoutout to Andy for introducing me to Grease Monkey – the go-to local pub for beers and burgers. Housed in an old mechanic’s garage, the indoor/outdoor dining is a vibe.
Corella defines itself as “polished, yet unpretentious” and that’s exactly how it is. An intimate dining experience – imagine champagne + oysters, and bread + butter. Dream.
Brindabella Hills is a winery that overlooks both the Murrumbidgee River and the Brindabella ranges. The sparkling rosè is delicious. Enjoy it outside in the sun, because honestly – you’re here for the view.
Another stunning winery located in the Murrumbidgee passage, our friend Scottie is essentially a sommelier. He recommended their reisling so we ordered a bottle for the group and were so content with the choice we ordered two more.
STAY
Considering I can’t recommend Andy & Iona’s as accommodation (even though Andy’s homemade bagels should be available to everyone) – I can recommend The Little National Hotel. A beautiful little boutique hotel with beds so big you could sleep sideways! It was like sleeping on a cloud.
STRAY
The National Gallery of Australia
The NGA is well worth the hype. The star of the show was the outdoor sculpture garden, specifically, James Turrell’s ‘Within without’ – a play on light and space designed to get us thinking about the way we perceive the sky. Check out the NGA’s website on the date you’re visiting for optimal viewing times based on light!
Now let’s talk about the giftshop. Stunning. Filled with Dinosaur Designs pieces and a huge selection of coffee table books. I had to be dragged out.
A special mention to Canberra for having no traffic.
Stray beautiful,
BEAR.