Canberra is a great winter destination for people of all ages, with a huge range of activities and attractions perfect for the cooler weather.

On sunny days, despite the chilly start to the morning, you can expect gorgeous bright blue skies just perfect to rug up and enjoy outdoor activities.  If you’d prefer to stay indoors, the city’s national attractions provide hours of interest and fun.

Fabulous Food and Wine

In celebration of the harvest of the prized black perigord truffle, experience a range of truffle inspired events this winter in Canberra from June until August. Join in the excitement of a truffle hunt at The Truffle Farm Canberra, enjoy fresh local produce and wines with casual meals or degustation and fine dining experiences. Discover your new favourite recipe or brush up on kitchen techniques with a cooking class at Foodish in Belconnen, located only a short drive from the hotel, including truffle inspired workshops and more.

If you enjoy discovering new food and wine, it will be hard to know what to try first, with such a diverse range of fabulous restaurants and cafes, from award-winning dining venues to popular suburban eateries. Try one of Canberra’s 10 hatted restaurants from the The Good Food Guide 2017, from fine dining to urban cool. Canberra is also the perfect base to explore the Canberra District wine region, with over 30 wineries only 40 minutes from the city.

Visit the Capital Region Farmer’s Markets in Canberra, held on regular Saturday mornings throughout the year at Exhibition Park in Canberra. Try a coffee from a local coffee roaster and enjoy a freshly baked pastry, while browsing the many stalls stocking everything from plants to smallgoods, locally grown vegetables, local olive oil, honey and more.

Canberra has also made a name for itself with its coffee scene, with a number of local roasters creating outstanding blends and also offering single origin coffee, including Lonsdale Street Roasters and Ona Coffee. Check out VisitCanberra for more Canberra coffee inspiration.

Art, Culture and History

If you enjoy lazy afternoons browsing through art galleries, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a diverse range of exhibitions showing in Canberra this winter.

At the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House see Behind the Lines 2016: The year’s best political cartoons. With so many tumultous events in 2016, this exhibition at the Museum of Australia Democracy at Old Parliament House is sure to be an interesting exhibition to add to your itinerary.

Whether you love to cycle, or are just interested in history, the Freewheeling: Cycling in Australia exhibition at the National Museum of Australia explores the history of cycling in Australia and is on show until 9 July. While you’re there, enjoy coffee and cake with beautiful views of Lake Burley Griffin at the Museum Cafe.

One exhibition definitely worth seeing on your visit to Canberra is the National Photographic Portrait Prize exhibition. But you’ll need to be quick, as it is only on show until 18 June 2017 at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition includes portraits by contemporary Australian photographers, both amateur and professional, celebrating contemporary photographic portraiture from across the country.

The National Library of Australia offers more than just books!  See Athol Shmith Fashion Photographs, until 16 July 2017 and a new exhibition Melodrama in Meiji Japan from 24 May until 27 August 2017. The bookshop at the National Library of Australia is well worth a visit after browsing through the exhibitions.

Among a number of exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia this winter is Frank Stella: The Kenneth Tyler Print Collection. Frank Stella and Kenneth Tyler played a significant role in the development of twentieth-century American printmaking. This exhibition showcases a selection of Stella’s groundbreaking prints and is showing until July 2017.

Also at the National Gallery of Australia, see Defying Empire: National Indigenous Art Triennial. This major exhibition surveys the diverse contemporary practice of 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, responding to the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, and is showing from 26 May until 10 September 2017.

Family and School Holidays Fun

For an easy family getaway and the opportunity to see three of Canberra’s great attractions with one ticket, 3infun tickets include entry to Questacon, Cockington Green Gardens and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Experience hands on science fun at Questacon — The National Science and Technology Centre. Free-fall down a six-metre slide, experience an earthquake or challenge a robot to a game of air hockey. Little people will enjoy Mini Q as they play, discover and learn in a with a range of activities for 0-6 year olds.

Corin Forest is a great first snow experience for families, located only 40 minutes drive from the city in Namadgi National Park.  Or why not put on some skates and make the most of the outdoor ice skating rink that transforms Canberra’s city centre into a winter wonderland with Skate in the City.

During the July school holidays in Canberra you can also visit the city’s many attractions such as the National Zoo & Aquarium and the Australian Institute of Sport. Kids will love The Pod Playground at the National Arboretum Canberra and the Discovery Playground at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

Sports and Outdoor Adventure

If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, you will find many exciting options to choose from in Canberra such as mountain biking at Stromlo Forest Park, walk the Centenary Trail, hike to the top of Mount Ainslie, have fun with a segway tour around Lake Burley Griffin or discover the diversity of plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens – all easily accessible from the city centre. Hire a bicycle from the front of the hotel and explore Canberra with its extensive network of cycling paths.

Within a 40 minute drive from Canberra city, you’ll find Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. There’s a great Discovery Playground for kids, along with a visitor’s centre and cafe. Join a ranger-guided tour, learn about the breeding programs for endangered animals and try to spot platypus and koalas as you wander through the reserve. Tidbinbilla has Advanced Ecotourism Certification.

For an interesting and educational experience, consider a twilight tour at Mulligan’s Flat Woodland Sanctuary, located around a 25 minute drive from Crowne Plaza Canberra. Suitable for people aged 10 years and up, this tour gives participants the opportunity to learn about endangered woodlands and see nocturnal animals in their natural habitat at night.

Book your Canberra getaway now with our Advance Purchase offer and save on your stay. 

Our Canberra city hotel is located in a tranquil park setting, close to restaurants, shops and major attractions.

Don’t forget about our best price guarantee too – if you find a cheaper price your first night is free.

Click here to book your winter hotel deal in Canberra.

*Please note, some exhibitions required paid tickets. Visit the galleries websites for details.

**Terms and conditions apply.

Images: this page, The Truffle Farm Canberra, photographer Lean Timms; blog listing page, Corin Forest © VisitCanberra.