Floriade and NightFest

Floriade: Saturday 14 September – Sunday 13 October 2019

NightFest: Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 October 2019

Where: Commonwealth Park

Don’t miss out on Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring. This year’s theme is World in Bloom. Over one million bright spring blooms will be on display throughout Commonwealth Park, including tulip varieties and other spring flowers. In addition to the flower beds, there are many activities on offer including floral displays, horticultural and cooking workshops. Not to mention photography workshops, entertainment and family activities. Don’t miss out on a ride on the ferris wheel for great views of the flower beds. Entry to Floriade during the day is FREE. 

Over 5 nights during Floriade from Thursday 3 October until Sunday 6 October,  NightFest enthralls audiences with spectacular light shows, roving entertainers, comedians, night markets, musicians, food and wine. Nightfest is a paid, ticketed event. Visit the Floriade website for ticket information.

For accommodation close to Floriade, choose Crowne Plaza Canberra.  This hotel in Canberra is within walking distance to the event, using the pedestrian bridge over Parkes Way. Click here to find out more about how to get to Floriade.

To book your Canberra hotel close to Floriade 2019, explore our accommodation packages.

Dreamworks Animation: The Exhibition – Journey from Sketch to Screen

When: 12 September 2019 until 2 February 2020 

Where: National Museum of Australia

At this family-friendly exhibition, discover DreamWorks Animation’s collaborative, artistic and visionary approach to animation.  Follow the journey from sketch to screen through more than 400 objects from the studio’s archive. Here you will understand and see original concept art, storyboards and scale-models, plus interactive digital experiences from the studio’s most popular films. Namely Antz, How to Train Your Dragon and Shrek.

The National Museum of Australia is open daily from 9am – 5pm (closed Christmas Day)

Pricing: $20 adult | $12 child | $16 concession | $50 family (2 adults + 2 children)

Tinbinbilla Open Day

When: 29 September 2019, 10am-3pm

Where: Tinbinbilla Nature Reserve

Enjoy a fun family outing and discover nature at the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The Reserve is home to many native Australian animals including kangaroos, koalas, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus, lyrebirds and many other birds and reptiles. See if you can spot the elusive platypus!

The annual Tidbinbilla Open Day is on again this year with the date set for Sunday 29 September 2019, with free entry to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Mark this date in your diary for a fun filled day of nature-based experiences based on the theme ‘Explore, Relax, Recharge’. This family friendly event will include kid’s activities, live music, displays, demonstrations and more, all held in the beautiful outdoor surroundings of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. 

Immerse yourself in the many forms of nature-based activities available or just take some time out to relax and enjoy the festivities.

Game Masters: The Exhibition

When: 27 September 2019 – 9 March 2020

Where: National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA)

Following a six-year international tour and more than 1 million visitors, Game Masters: The Exhibition makes its Canberra debut this spring. Game Masters takes gamers and families on a journey through five decades of video game history, featuring interviews, concept artwork, an amazing display of vintage consoles and collectables. Along with 80 playable games, this exhibition will be hard to leave! An exciting program of events and screenings will run in conjunction with the exhibition.

Pricing: $19 adult | $15 concession | $12 junior (5-17) | kids up to age 4 free | family passes available

The NFSA is open daily 10am–4pm (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Booking online before your visit is recommended.

Questacon Family Getaway Package

If you are planning a family trip, why not take advantage of Crowne Plaza Canberra’s Questacon Family Getaway package. 

Stay in Canberra’s CBD, within walking distance to restaurants, shops, cinemas and cafes. The best of the city’s attractions and events are only a short drive away. Take the time to see some of Canberra’s key iconic attractions such as Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum of Australia and Questacon. 

The Questacon Family Getaway package at Crowne Plaza Canberra includes:

• Accommodation for 2 adults and up to 2 children
• Full buffet breakfast for 2 adults and up to 2 children
• Children dine free with a paying adult
• Family pass to Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre (valued at $70)
• If 2 rooms are booked our team will endeavor to provide adjoining rooms.

* Clicking the BOOK NOW button above will direct you to the Crowne Plaza Canberra booking engine. Your Family Getaway package rates will be pre-populated when you have entered your dates of stay.

School Holiday Breakfast at Redsalt

Who doesn’t love a hotel buffet breakfast! Enjoy the extensive breakfast selection at Redsalt, including barista coffee freshly made to order and eggs cooked the way you like them. Redsalt Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Canberra is open for breakfast daily from 6.30am – 10am and until 11am on weekends and public holidays.

Pricing:

• Full breakfast buffet $29 per adult
• Continental breakfast $25 per adult
• Children aged 6 – 12 $14 per child (order from our Kids menu)
• Kids 5 years and under can enjoy breakfast for free

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Ski, Snow and Outdoor Adventure

For a fun winter experience in the heart of the city, Winter Festival will bring open air ice-skating, European style markets, entertainment and more to Canberra from 23 June until 17 July 2016, located within walking distance of Crowne Plaza Canberra.

With its close proximity to the NSW Snowy Mountains, Canberra is the ideal stopover for a trip to the snow. If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, Murrays Canberra Snow Service offers daily coaches to and from the NSW Snowy Mountains in July and August. For the perfect first snow experience, Corin Forest offers tobogganing and snow play only 45 minutes from Canberra’s CBD.

For something different, join an afterDARK – Winter Lantern Tour at the Australian National Botanic Gardens.  On several Saturday nights through winter you will make your own lantern then set off on a guided night tour, followed by supper and toasted marshmallows.

School Holidays

There are lots of family activities in Canberra on offer for the July school holidays. The National Portrait Gallery has a special program of events including Family Space: I.D. Identifying Self, with all day screenings and activities inspired by the National Portrait Gallery’s collection for families to enjoy together. Portrait Play offers children aged 4 to 8 the opportunity to explore portrait through drawing and creative activity in the galleries.

The Happy Birthday Play School: Celebrating 50 Years exhibition is showing at the National Museum of Australia until 24 July 2016. You’ll find those favourite characters including Big Ted, Little Ted, Humpty and Jemima – plus the Rocket Clock and all the windows. The Spiders Exhibition on show at Questacon until 9 October 2016 allows visitors to explore the vast and fascinating world of spiders.

Art, Culture and History

Art, culture and history enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice during winter, with a number of exhibitions and events in Canberra.  Tough and Tender is an exhibition being held at the National Portrait Gallery from 15 July until 16 October 2016, featuring photographs by a group of American and Australian artists from the 1960s to now, exploring the complexities of personal relations and individual expression. Fiona Hall’s exhibition Wrong Way Time, direct from the 2015 Venice Biennale, is being hosted by the National Gallery of Australia until 10 July 2016.

Reality in flames: modern Australian art and the Second World War is showing at the Australian War Memorial until 7 September 2016.  This exhibition explores the creative response of Australian modernist artists to the Second World War. Behind the Lines 2015: The year’s best political cartoons displays 80 cartoons from 39 cartoonists at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, celebrating the role of political cartoonists in Australia.

Food and Wine

There is also a range of experiences on offer in Canberra for lovers of good food and wine. The Truffle Festival Canberra Region runs from June until August with a range of events to choose from, including degustation dinners, truffle hunts, cooking classes, truffle and wine tastings and more. The World Curry Festival is being held in Canberra’s CBD on the weekend of 8 to 10 July 2016, showcasing authentic flavours, along with cultural performances and market stalls.  Or stay in and enjoy a warming and nourishing meal from the new winter menu at Redsalt Restaurant at Crowne Plaza Canberra.

Market Shopping

If you would like to do some shopping during your visit to Canberra, try one of the local markets for something unique. The Old Bus Depot Markets have been running for 22 years and are held every Sunday in Kingston. The Winter Glass Market, a celebration of glass, will be held on 18 June 2016 at the Canberra Glassworks. The Handmade Market, which features only Australian made and designed products, will be held over the June long weekend and offers unique items with a chance to chat to the makers as you browse the 220 plus stalls.

Stay With Us

With so much to see and do in Canberra you’ll be able to do as much or as little as you like. Crowne Plaza Canberra’s location in the heart of Canberra’s CBD means you will be within easy walking distance to Canberra Centre where shopping, bars and restaurants are easily accessible, and local attractions are just a few minutes drive away. The hotel offers a secure car park on site, making travel even easier.

Winter Savings – Up to 30% Off!

For a limited time only, book your accommodation in Canberra and save up to 30% off our advance purchase rate. Rates begin at $126* per night, and are available for stays until 31 August 2016. Click here for more information and to book.

Please note: some activities may attract a fee and/or require bookings.  There may also be special conditions associated with some activities. Please check the websites or speak with our Concierge team for more information. 

Images: Cover page: Tobogganing at Corin Forest © VisitCanberra; this page: Ice Skating in the City © CBD Canberra Ltd

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