As Australia’s political heart, Canberra cops a lot of flak. Sure, it’s quieter than other capital cities, bitterly cold in winter and not exactly bursting with nightlife (some say it has more government buildings than bars). But it’s also home to one of the nation’s most underrated dining scenes, is super walkable, sits close to a gorgeous wine region and is pretty much way cooler than the rumours would have you believe.
When I told people I was heading to Canberra for just 24 hours, I received the same response over and over: some variation of, “24 hours? That’s more than enough.” I was travelling there for Floriade, Australia’s largest flower festival, which I fondly recall visiting as a kid. However, due to a running event I had back home on Sunday morning, my time in the capital was limited to a single day.
The drive from Sydney to Canberra takes roughly three hours without traffic, and although it’s not the most scenic route, it’s an easy, stress-free trip. I arrived in the late afternoon, so headed straight to Floriade for sunset. Sure, the colourful tulip displays might feel a bit same-old, same-old if you visit every year, but I still found them impressive – especially taking in the science-themed patterns from the top of the ferris wheel.
For dinner, I’d booked a table at one of Canberra’s hottest new eateries, Azuma Den. This fire-forward Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant proves once again why Canberra’s dining scene is one of the best in Australia (and seriously underrated). Azuma’s playful twists on East Asian classics were as good as anything you’d find at high-end restaurants in Sydney or Melbourne: think Wagyu beef tartare tacos, flamed scallops in yuzu butter, handmade seafood dumplings, and hibachi-grilled skewers of chicken yakitori, pork jowl and king oyster mushrooms.
Conveniently, Azuma Den is tucked in the lobby of Kingston’s East Hotel, where I was staying for the night. The next morning, I woke up early to join some friends at Lake Ginninderra parkrun, after which we had brunch at Café Sosta, a lovely lakeside spot hidden on Black Mountain Peninsula. In between, I snuck in a visit to Under Bakery for what I’m officially crowning Australia’s best cardamom bun. I also managed to check out the National Portrait Gallery’s latest exhibition, In Bloom, wandered through the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery of Australia, and even treated myself to a dry float at Reverie, Australia’s first 24/7 self-guided wellness centre.
Before I knew it, my 24 hours in Canberra were up, and it was time to head back to Sydney. Sure, I’d ticked off more than I expected in a single day – yet it still felt like I’d barely scratched the surface. There were so many fantastic bakeries and cafés I didn’t get to, museums and galleries left unexplored, and markets where I could've stocked up on goodies for the road home. And don’t even get me started on the hikes – perhaps Canberra’s greatest asset. Drive 20 minutes out of the city, and you’ll find yourself on a secluded trail surrounded by pristine bushland, with no one else in sight. If only I'd had a whole extra day to tackle one of the many trails!
Moral of the story: don’t make the same mistake I did. If you’re planning a trip to Canberra, make sure to stretch it out over a long weekend, if not more, especially if you want to check out all the parliamentary sights. You can find our perfect itinerary for a long weekend in Canberra here.