• Hire a paddle boat, canoe or kayak and mess around on Lake Burley Griffin. Hire is available from:
  • Lake Burley Griffin Boat Hire, Acton Jetty Acton. ph 02 6249 6861.
  • Row'n'Ride, Canberrra Avenue, Fyshwick. ph 0410 547 838.
• Hire a Hobbie Yacht for an hour or learn to sail from the Southern Cross Yacht Club.
• Walk, cycle or skate around the lake. Hire is available from:
  • Capital Bicycle Hire [27], which rents high quality mountain bikes and runs tours around Canberra's extensive bicycle path network and off-road trail system. Phone 0412 547 387.
  • Mr Spokes Bike Hire, [28] Barrine Drive, Acton. ph 02 6257 1188.
• Mountain Biking. Canberra offers a large number of Mountain Biking locations around Canberra, many of which are considered some of the best in Australia. See Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) for locations. Canberra is also home to the largest 24 hour Mountain Bike Race in the world (Scott 24hr), held in early October each year.
• Explore Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve [29] is about a 40 minute drive from Canberra. It forms the northern part of the Australian Alps. You can take Ranger guided walks or have fun with the hands on displays such as the interactive computer program on Tidbinbilla's bird species and look at the live animal displays. The gift shop sells an interesting range of clothes, toys, books, cards and souvenirs. Coffee and light refreshments are also available.
• Dendy Canberra Centre Upper Level. A movie theatre with a difference. Open late and screening world movies as well as some Hollywood flicks, Alcohol and a large array of hot food makes this cinema more of a cross between a restaurant and a movie theatre than your traditional popcorn and coke style cinema. Although popcorn and coke are both sold here as well.
• Corin Forest has a bobsled ride in summer, and snowplay and tobogganing in winter. Is is high enough to receive natural snowfalls. Check before heading up that the road is open, and that there is snow. Only open on weekends, school holidays, and public holidays.
• Mount Stromlo Observatory, Cotter road, Weston Creek. ph 02 6125 0230. Mount Stromlo is Australia's premier astronomical observatory. Badly damaged in 2003 bushfires, the partially rebuilt observatory reopened in October 2004. They run a Saturday night star gazing event for the public, call Natalie on 02 6125 0232. http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/
• Visit the Wineries around Canberra. They are described as cool climate wines and some are very well known and regarded. Try Jeir Creek, Gallagher, Clonakilla and Lark Hill, just to name a few. There are '33 wineries within 35 minutes of Canberra'. Visit the Canberra Wineries website for more information. ([30])
• "Out of the way places to see" - tips from a local which you won't find in the guide book. Head south to Tharwa, and then take the road to Adaminaby. The road is very good for all of what I describe, any car can go on it, but further south than what I describe requires a 4WD. Take the road out of Tharwa, and remain on the road for about 10km. Take the signed road to Honey Suckle Creek. Very important historical site, this is where the signals from the Apollo 11 space landing were received, and then beamed around the world. Also a nice drive, and a very good camp ground. On the same road, not far off the Adaminaby Road is a walking (Fire ranger)trail to the top of Mount Tennant. About a 5 hour round hike, but worth every step. Go back onto the Adaminaby road, and head south. Another site of a space centre on the right down the road, worth a look, but not as interesting, but remaining on the road for another ten kilometers, entering the Namadgi National park, and two hundred meters after a single lane bridge is a signed turn off to Yankee's Hat. This is a four km drive, any car can take it, and look for Kangaroos. Hundreds either side of the road. The walk to Yankee's hat will take you to see aboriginal art.
• Road to Adaminaby. If you have a robust vehicle, take the road south. The country is magnificent!!! It takes about an hour from Yankee's hat.

• Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade, at the other end from Parliament House), ph 02 6243 4211 or 02 6243 4598 (for recorded information), fax 02 6243 4325, [12]. Daily 10am-5pm. Not just a memorial, this is one of Australia's premier museums, covering Australian military history from Federation to the present day and including fascinating exhibits of equipment, memorabilia and battle dioramas. You could easily spend a full day here (it has a café, or bring a picnic lunch if the weather is nice and sit on the lawns at the front). Free.
• Parliament House of Australia, across the lake from ANZAC Parade, ph 02 6277 5399 or 02 6277 2727 (for recorded information), [13]. The seat of Australia's federal government and legislature and a remarkable piece of modern architecture.
• Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, ph 02 6270 8222, fax 02 6270 8111, [14]. The headquarters of Australian government from the 1920s to 1988, this building is a must for political and/or historical junkies. The building gives a real feel of what it was like when it was in use and has regularly rotating exhibitions on the controversies and scandals that rocked Australian politics. Most of the main rooms - the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet Room, the various party rooms, the two houses - are open to visitors, as are many smaller rooms like the whips' offices and the broadcasting area. There are also historical photos of Canberra as it used to be, including the times prior to the creation of the artificial lake that show Canberra under snow during winter (the lake warmed up the city and snow falls rarely on the city now). The gift store has decent souvenirs. Parking is free, admission is A$2 for adults, A$1 concession.
• National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, ph 02 6208 5000, fax 02 6208 5099, [15]. This controversial museum has lots of interactive exhibits and groups items by concept rather than era. Free admission except for special exhibits.
• National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, ph 02 6240 6502, [16]. 10am–5pm. Located by Lake Burley Griffin, this modern structure is one of the country's largest art galleries. It has a vast collection of paintings and sculptures collected from Australia and the rest of the world and has excellent Aboriginal artwork. A nice gift store. Free except for special exhibits.
• National Library of Australia, ph 02 6262 1111, fax 02 6257 1703, [17]. The library is primarily a research centre, but normally has one exhibition showing parts of the collection. Also notable for its neo-classical architecture.
• Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Leverrier Crescent, Bruce, ☎ 02 6214 1111 (fax: 02 6251 2680), [18]. The AIS runs tours a couple of times a day. See training areas, and at the end use some interactive exhibits. The pool here is open for public access certain hours$15.00.  edit
• Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes, ph 02 6270 2800 or 1800 020 603 (free call, recorded information), [19]. 9am-5pm. Questacon is an interactive museum of science with exhibits illustrating scientific ideas from the principles of physics to the motion of an earthquake. Great for kids and excellent science books can be picked up here. (Oct 06) $15.50 adults, $10.50 concessions, $9 children, and $46 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children.
• Royal Australian Mint, [20]. Take a tour of the mint and see how coins are made. You will even get the chance to mint your own souvenir coin. Look for the pudding coins as a souvenir (not always available). The mint is currently being refurbished, so as of October '07, there is only the coin shop, mint your own dollar and an exhibition on the history of Australian coins for viewing by the general public. Admission is free.
• Australian National Botanic Gardens, [21]. Located at the base of Black Mountain, the ANBG has the largest collection of Australian native flora in the country. It also has some interesting water dragons that live in the water features around the gardens. A delightful place for a picnic, try to grab some food from the city centre first to take with you for lunch. If you are there during summer, call and ask about the jazz evenings. These are held on the weekend and many families attend with evening picnic and champagne in tow, to chill out to the sounds of jazz in the balmy evening temperatures. Entry is free, however parking is $1.40/hr or $7 all day at ticket machines, with proceeds going towards the gardens.
• Telstra Tower, Black Mountain Drive, Acton, ACT (5 km from the city centre), tel 02 6219 6111, fax 02 6257 6600. Daily 9am-10pm. This functional communications tower rises 195 m above the summit of Black Mountain, providing 360 degree views of Canberra and the countryside around it. Well worth a visit, day or night, for the fantastic views - look for the cork tree plantation and Parliament House. It has a revolving restaurant and telecommunications history display. $6.00 adult, $1.90 child/concession.
• Prime Minister's Lodge. Generally closed to the public and one can only see part of the garden from behind the wall. There are open days about once a year and if you are lucky to be in Canberra then, it shouldn't be missed.
• Government House. An official residence of the Governor-General, representative of the Queen. Closed to the public except for open days. It can be observed from the hill off the Scrivener Dam Rd. Often kangaroos are to be spotted munching grass on the lawns, so be careful driving along the ride that gets to the viewpoint, especially at dusk.
• Embassies. As the national capital, Canberra hosts the embassies of other countries. Some of them are architecturally interesting and worth looking at, particularly:
  • The Embassy of China
  • The Embassy of Papua New Guinea
  • The whole 'Embassy district' in leafy Yarralumla suburb. It is best to have a car for touring here.

Events

• Floriade [22] festival of flowers, a yearly event held in spring (September-October), not to be missed. Tulips are the main feature but many other colourful flowers and floral displays are featured. There are also sculptures, garden stalls, makeshift restaurants, activities, live music by local performers and sometimes there is even a gnome or scarecrow festival where children (and some adults) paint gnomes or make scarecrows and enter a competition to choose the best. Great for a photo opportunity!
• Summernats [23] is a festival of modified cars, car cruising, burnouts, etc, which takes place first thing in the new year. If you are not into this culture, this is a good time not to be in Canberra, as even the most civilised hotels are overtaken by drunken 'nats'.
• The Multicultural Festival, [24]. a must to visit, has many events, such as concerts, performances and an International Food Fare with over 200 stalls selling original food of different countries. Happens every year in February. edit
• Thai Embassy Food Fair - once a year - do not miss this! The Philippines, Sri Lanka and some other embassies do similar events sometimes.
• Diplomatic Charity Bazaar - held occasionally. Great place to buy original things specific to various countries, sold by staff of the embassies.
• The National Folk Festival - held every Easter over 5 days, featuring local, national and international folk musicians, dancers and craftspeople.
• The Canberra show [25] held in February featuring shows, amusement park rides and agricultural competitions. Has most of the features of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, but on a smaller scale with less crowds.

• Check out the Canberra Times [26] newspaper on Saturday for upcoming events.

By plane

Canberra International Airport (IATA: CBR), [2] is well served by flights from other Australian capital cities. The following airlines fly to Canberra daily:

• Virgin Blue [3] flies to and from Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Adelaide
• Qantas [4] flies to and from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth
• Tiger Airways [5] flies to and from Melbourne
• Brindabella Airlines [6] flies to and from Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Albury-Wodonga

From other cities you can fly to one of the above cities and then to Canberra. International visitors would normally fly to Sydney or Melbourne and transfer to a domestic flight to Canberra. Flying time is 50 minutes from Sydney, 1 hour from Melbourne, 2 hours from Brisbane and Adelaide, and 4 hours from Perth.

By train

NSW Countrylink [7] runs services from Sydney to Canberra twice a day. The trip takes just over 4 hours, which is slower than a bus or driving, but the train takes a very scenic route through the Molongolo Gorge, compared to an unexciting freeway journey by road. The train arrives in Kingston on the south side of Canberra, which is 20 minutes walk from most of the attractions on the south side of Lake Burley Griffin. On some days it is possible to do a day trip by train from Sydney and get 5-6 hours to spend in Canberra. To get to Civic (the Canberra CBD) on the northern side of the lake, however, will require further transport, ACTION buses service the station to Civic every hour or so for $3.00. The economy train fare is $40, discounts may be available depending on the day or for advance purchase. Countrylink also runs a once-daily train/bus between Melbourne and Canberra: the bus runs from the centre of Canberra to the small town of Cootamundra, where travellers switch to the train to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station; tickets cost $75.

If you have all day, you can catch a Cityrail service between Sydney and Goulburn, and then change to/from the Countrylink services at Goulburn. The Countrylink fare is $16, and the Cityrail $26, which is cheaper than the direct Countrylink service, but still more than the bus.

By bus

Coaches to Canberra terminate at the Jolimont Centre, which is in the city centre. It is immediately across the road from the Canberra local bus (ACTION) interchange

Murray's Coaches [8], tel 132251, operate a bus service between Sydney and Canberra five times a day. Be sure to book an express service - it will knock an hour and a half off your trip. Cost is $36 and there are a limited number of 2-week advance fares for $15 (or $28 discount tickets also available). The bus takes you right into the centre of Canberra city, whereas the train will take you to Manuka/Kingston area (which may require a cab/bus to the city). Murrays also run a daily service from Wollongong.

Greyhound Pioneer [9], tel 131499, operate a bus service competing with Murray's. Fares seem to be either $15 or $36, so you might get lucky and get a cheap ride. Note that it may not be possible to get the $15 fares when booking a return journey; if so, you probably need to book each leg separately. They also offer a direct service to Melbourne.

NSW Countrylink also run daily buses to and from Eden on the South Coast, via Bega and Cooma.

By car

Canberra is 290 km (180 miles) drive from Sydney and 650 km (404 miles) drive from Melbourne.

The drive from Sydney to Canberra takes just over three hours. The road is dual carriageway, mostly freeway-like conditions from the Harbour Bridge all the way to Canberra, mostly with a 110km/h speed limit, via the M5, Hume and Federal Highways. There on 5 sets of on-road services located on the highway, as well as well maintained and often scenic rest stops with toilets and picnic tables. If you take a picnic, you can find a place to stop and eat it. It is rare to make the entire trip between Canberra and Sydney without at least one police speed trap, usually near Goulburn section of the Hume Freeway.

The drive from Melbourne to Canberra is roughly eight hours on the Hume and Barton Highways.

By bus

ACTION buses [10] cover the majority of Canberra. Fares [11] are currently (Jan 08) AU$3.00 for adults and AU$1.50 for concessions (have your student or concession card ready to show the driver; for international students, its always good to have an ISIC Card because many drivers -- although not strictly supposed to -- will accept these). There are also all-day, weekly monthly and 10-ride-faresaver tickets available. An off-peak all-day ticket costs $4 and is valid for travel on weekdays between 9am & 4.30pm and after 6pm, as well as all day on weekends and holidays. 10 ride faresavers offer a significant discount on single fares at AU$7.50 for students (school term weekdays only) AU$10.70 concession and AU$21.00 for adult fare.
There has been increasing criticism of ACTION, as services have decreased in number and prices have increased. Many residents will tell you not to use ACTION services. During peak hours, ACTION buses, especially inter-town routes, can be extremely crowded. However, for those dependant on public transport there is no other option within Canberra.

Tips for riding the buses:

• If you need to change buses to get somewhere, ask for a transfer ticket; it'll let you on to as many buses as you need within 90 minutes of getting on the first bus.
• Tell the driver where you need to get to (and how quickly if that's important) and ask them what your options are. Some buses snake through the suburbs and can take a while to cover a relatively short distance while others may be more direct or express services.
• To travel between the interchanges (i.e. Tuggeranong, Woden, Belconnen and Civic) catch any bus in the 300 series (300, 312, 313, 314 or 315) as these are far quicker then other bus with your intended location as its destination.
• Buses do not operate between midnight and 6am, and after 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. There is however a 'flexibus' or 'nightrider' system with certain routes running at these times -- for a flat fare of $10.

By bike

Canberra has a very good network of cycle paths which are generally separate from the road network, as well as good on road cycle facilities. The grade can be a little steep as away from central Canberra is fairly hilly, but all the attractions around the lake are accessible on fairly flat paths. Pedal Power has a list of commuter and other routes. Bicycles are also permitted on footpaths in the ACT.

A street map bought from a petrol station or newsagent will also show bike paths. The map is also online at the [ACT Department of Planning]. Bike helmets are compulsory. There are bike racks to lock your bike up at most shopping centres and points of interest. The bus interchanges have bike lockers to rent in the longer term.

The intertown buses will carry bikes on bike racks on the front of the buses for no additional charge. The bike racks have clips, so no additional equipment is necessary. Only full size bikes are carried.

By car

Most attractions in Canberra provide parking, and Canberra roads are generally good quality and relatively uncongested.

Drivers unfamiliar with Canberra are often confused by the "Town Centre" signs that direct you to the commercial centre of the nearest Canberra "town", which you can consider to be a regional centre. The towns are Belconnen, Woden, Tuggeranong, Gungahlin etc. You will see signs directing you to these centres by name, but as you get close the sign will simply direct you to the "town centre". You are expected to know which town centre it is you are approaching. Each of these towns contain many suburbs, which are always signposted by the suburb name.

The main shopping and commercial area of Canberra is known as Civic, but you will never see a signpost to Civic. It is signposted as as "City".

There are remarkably few fuel stations on the main roads. Instead they tend to be located near shops, off the main roads. Start looking well before you run too low. Look for the small blue fuel pump signs off the main roads.

Take change for parking meters in Civic if you want to park on the Streets, or in the government parking lots.

Fixed police speed traps in Canberra are not usually as prominent or noticeable as they are in neighbouring New South Wales. However, mobile police speed traps are set up in large, highly visible white vans with police signage informing motorists that their speed has been checked.

Markets

• Canberra Antiques Centre, Ph/Fax: (02) 61623737, [37]. 10am - 5pm seven days at 37 Townsville Street, Fyshwick. Over a dozen professional dealers, both local and interstate, offer a top variety of antique and retro furniture, funky vintage clothing, vintage fabrics, militaria, numismatics, pottery, vintage needlework tools & accessories, electricals, silver, art glass, quality bric-a-brac and designer items. Well presented with great music playing and a nice vibe throughout.

• Jamison market - every Sunday near Jamison centre, in Belconnen. Fresh produce stalls and flea market. Come and get your bargain. Vinyl records, second hand clothing, furniture, bric-a-brac.

• Old Bus Depot Market, every Sunday. Arts and crafts – all of a high standard. Food stalls, including fresh produce and live music. Theme days such as international food held occasionally.

• Gorman House market - every Saturday in Braddon, just north of the city (easy walk). Crafts, second-hand items, antiques, international food in a lovely, grassy setting.

• Tuggeranong Market - First Sunday of every month in the lovely Tuggeranong Homestead opposite the Calwell Shops. Lots of stalls, selling amazing stuff.

• Trash and Treasure Market in Woden is hosted by Rotary and held every Sunday morning. Expect a mixed bag of books, plants, and assorted household junk.

• Fyshwick Market, Dalby St (Cnr Mildura St) Fyshwick, tel 02 6295 0606. - Fresh produce, including fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Open Thursday to Sunday. Sunday afternoons are a good time to pick up some bargains.

• Belconnen Market, Lathlain St, Belconnen (off Benjamin Way), ACT | Telephone: +61 2 6251 1680 | Fax: +61 2 6251 7721, [38]. The Markets are open from 8:00am to 6:00pm Wednesday to Sunday. Some stores now open 7 days a week. Thursday's is senior's day with 10% discounts.

• Capital Region Farmer's Market, [39]. EPIC - Saturday mornings 8AM to 11AM. Sellers are the producers. Stalls are all food related.

Shopping Centres

• Canberra Centre [40] is a large shopping mall in Civic, covering a large section of the central Canberra shopping district. It has department stores, food hall and eateries, specialty shops for adults and kids fashion both upmarket and basic. There are also electronics, books, CDs, souvenirs and Australian made products.

• City Walk is an outdoor mall area in Civic. There is alfresco eating and shopping.

• Belconnen Mall is the name of the enclosed shopping centre owned by Westfield located within the Belconnen Town Centre to the north. Although it does not have as many clothes stores, it features a 'Myer' department store and a 'K-mart', as well as two supermarkets and a food court. It is located over three levels.

• Woden Westfield and Tuggeranong Hyperdome are the two major enclosed shopping centres to the south, located within the Woden and Tuggeranong town centres respectively. Woden Plaza features a 'David Jones' department store, a 'BIG W', two supermarkets, as well as approximately 200 specialty stores and a food court. The Tuggeranong Hyperdome (further south) features a small 'Myer' department store, a 'K-mart' and a 'Target', as well as supermarkets and a food court plus specialty clothing stores.

• Fyshwick is the suburb to shop for appliances and technical stuff, along with furniture and homewares. It is also Canberra's 'red-light' district. Most of Canberra's antique shops can also be found here.

Boutique

• Lonsdale St in Braddon (close to Civic) houses a handful of boutiques, specialising in independent clothing labels and other designer objects.

• Manuka is another area that has boutiques and restaurants. Millers of Manuka boutique sells leading women's fashion brands like Max Mara and others. For less expensive women's clothing try Witchery. Booklovers would do well to check out Paperchain bookstore.

• Kingston is yet another shopping and restaurant area not far from Manuka.

Specialty

Many of the most interesting shopping experiences are at the national institutions, almost all of which have specialist shops inside. The National Gallery has a superb range of art books, both overseas and indigenous. Likewise the National Library, the Questacon Science Museum, the War Memorial, the National Museum at Acton, the Film and Sound Archive, and so on - if you're looking for unique Australian items, these are the places to go.

All public buildings in Canberra are smoke free.

Budget

• Griffith Vietnamese Restaurant, Griffith Shops. Cheap, no frills place with little/no décor and ordinary 'Australianised' Vietnamese food.
• Cornucopia Bakery, 40 Mort Street, Braddon, ph 6249 1494. Wide range of traditional bakery products, meat pies and sandwiches, prepared on the premises. (However, for a bakery it is fairly expensive)
• Pide House, 2 Lawry Place, Jamison Group Centre, Macquarie (near Belconnen T/C) and Woden Plaza, Corinna Street, Woden. tel 02 6251 3325 (Jamison) and 02 6260 3016 (Woden), [41]. Nice, inexpensive Turkish food in a proper restaurant (not a takeaway outlet). The Woden location is open all day (one of the very few in Canberra).
• The Front Gallery and Cafe, Lyneham Shops, Wattle Street, Lyneham. Enjoy a coffee and explore an art exhibition. Comfy couches. 8am – 10pm Tues - Sat & 8am – 6pm Sun - Mon.
• Hansel & Gretel 42 Townsend St. Philip. Great European style shop and cafe. Canberra's best coffee is roasted and sold on the premises. Also great selection of nuts, chocolates, and Easter and Christmas treats. The cafe serves healthy light lunches and a selection of cakes and biscuits.
• Yarralumla Halal Pide House 45 Novar St Yarralumla. +61 2 6281 1991. High quality Turkish at a reasonable price, no alcohol allowed on premises. Take away available.
• Kismet, Flinders Way Manuka. Another wonderful Turkish eatery at easy on the pocket prices, Kabak and Falafel are easily one of the best in Canberra if not Australia.

Mid-range

• Tosolini's, Bailey Corner, Civic, [www.tosolinis.com.au]. Great breakfast, good lunch and brilliant dinner. Traditional and experimental Italian cuisine, with a fine list of local and imported liquor. Very friendly and warm atmosphere, with professional staff
• Silo Bakery and Cafe, 36 Giles St, Kingston. tel 02 6260 6060, [42]. Good breakfast, however almost always very crowded - expect 'attitude' instead of service. They also have a dedicated cheese room.
• Cafe D'Lish, Shop 3, Duff Place, Deakin. tel 02 6281 3533. fax 02 6281 3450. Swiss owner, nice pastries made on premises.
• Bruno's Truffels, Unit 2, 106 Mawson Place, Mawson. tel 02 6286 6377. Nice cafe and shop for locally made chocolates and pastries. Although the manager has a tendency to scare off customers and the staff are incompetent.
• Belluci's Restaurant, Cape St (cnr Woolley St), Dickson. tel 02 6257 7788. Popular Italian serving mediocre food at inflated prices.
• New Asia Chinese Restaurant, Unit 75, The Coventry Apartments, 2 Cape Street, Dickson, 02 6262 8860. - Offer authentic Shanghai, Sichuan, Cantonese, and some Malaysian cuisines. Some of the signature dishes include: Crispy Fragrant Duck, Yu Xiang Pork and Egg Plant Hot Pot, Shantung Lamb and Shantung Chicken. The food is fresh and the service is friendly. Very popular with Chinese oversea students and local communities. Open 7 days a week (except Saturday and Sunday lunches). Fully licenced. BYO for bottled wines only. Setting capacity: 34 people.
• Four Rivers Sichuan Chinese Restaurant, Unit 66, The Coventry Apartments, 12 Challis Street, Dickson, 02 6162 0666. - Very tasty, authentic Sichuan cuisine. Yum-cha lunches.
• Sukothai, 27 Bentham Street, Yarralumla. tel +61 2 6281 1092. Inexpensive non-authentic Thai food. Eat in and takeaway.
• Maestral Seafood Restaurant, 13 Trenerry Street, Weston Creek. tel +61 2 6287 3930.. Mediterranean/Croatian, lots of fresh seafood and steak. Prime Minister John Howard has eaten here! (Don't worry, whatever your political views, it's still great food!)
• Tu Do, 7 Sargood St, O'Connor. tel +61 2 6248 6030. Cheap and tasty Vietnamese, very popular with the local Vietnamese community. Good bar nearby too.
• Rama's, Shop 6, Pearce Shopping Centre, Hodgson Crescent, Pearce. tel +61 2 6286 1964 or +61 2 6286 9437. Fijian/Indian, best (and hottest - no joke) curries in town. Can be very noisy.
• Dickson shops: This is the Canberra equivalent of Chinatown. Lots of great Asian food and a few pubs/clubs to have a beer at. This shopping centre is located a 10 minute bus ride north of Civic, just off Northbourne Avenue, and has a fantastic eat street, with everything from Thai to Turkish to Vietnamese at reasonable prices. Turk Oz has a delicious spinach and feta pide. Dickson Noodle House makes a terrific Laksa and is quite cheap. Au Lac is an excellent vegetarian Vietnamese place with delicious soy-based versions of everything.
• Ginseng, 15 Flinders Way, Manuka. tel +61 2 6260 8346 or +61 2 6260 8347. Try either the traditional or vegetarian Singapore noodle and the Laksa. Book in advance and ask for a table on the second floor, you will get the best view of the Manuka tree tops!!
• Wagamama, Canberra Centre (North Quarter) Bunda St Canberra City. 61 2 6248 7955. Japanese chain restaurant in a funky and not at all intimate atmosphere. Strongly recommend the Ramen and Moyashi Soba. (Another customer's recommendation: go somewhere else!)
• CREAM, Cnr Bunda and Genge Sts Civic (Canberra Centre North Quarter) +61 2 6162 1448. Cool, Hip and extremely funky! Lunch and dinner served as well as coffee and a wonderful array of cakes and sweets. Food is ordinary and overpriced.
• Red Belly Black, located near the ACT law courts in Hobart Place. Excellent coffee, good breakfast menu, mid priced lunch menu, great cakes. Only open Mon - Fri from 7:30am until 4pm. A good way to start the weekday morning.
• Koko Black Bunda St Canberra Centre North Quarter. Warm and tasty Chocolate shop with a second to none chocolate selection as well as a innovative and interesting Hot Chocolate and Drink Menu. Nice, welcoming decor.
• Sammy's Kitchen Bunda St Canberra Centre North Quarter. Serving a menu inspired mainly by Malaysian but also Cantonese flavoures. Another restaurant with cool and sometimes almost yuppy feel.
• Italo-Australian Club Franlin St, Forrest. You can obtain a temporary 28 day membership for $1 upon entry. You can get a hearty Italian pasta dish for around $15, with drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic reasonably priced.

Splurge

• Rubicon 6A Barker St, Griffith. Tel 6295 9919. Consistently excellent food, extensive winelist and BYO (bring your own) are accepted. Great atmosphere, romantic rear indoor courtyard.
• Aubergine Restaurant, 18 Barker St, Griffith. tel 02 6260 8666. Food is very good, but beware the cancellations policy when changing a booking - you could be charged for the meals your party did not eat.
• Courgette Restaurant, 54 Marcus Clarke St, Acton. tel 02 6247 4042. Sister restaurant to Aubergine Restaurant, fine dining. Fantastic weekday 4-course lunch for under $45.
• The Chairman & Yip Restaurant, 108 Bunda Street, Canberra City. tel 02 6248 7109. Australian/Asian.
• Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant, Cnr Broughton & Blackall St Barton. tel 02 6273 6111. Consistently awarded best Turkish in Australia, great atmosphere..
• The Promenade Cafe at the Hyatt hotel, Commonwealth Ave, offers daily buffet dinners in its restaurant from 6pm and high teas from 3 to 5pm.
• The Ginger Room, located in Old Parliament House, the Ginger Room offers fine dining, in either a two course, or three course meal option. Food offerings can be inconsistent in quality but if it is good, it's really good.

• King O'Malleys in Civic (inside City Walk Hotel building, Ground floor). Large Irish pub with a relaxed atmosphere, does pub-style meals lunch and dinner and a home for all types.
• The Wig and Pen [43] Canberra House Arcade, Alinga St Civic, 6248 0171, [44]. Serves a wide range of award winning beers brewed on the premises, as well as a selection of other boutique and independent brews.
• The Phoenix, 21 East Row Canberra City, 6247 1606. About as rustic and dingy as a Canberra establishment is likely to get, this pub attracts a varied crowd, with more than its fair share of bohemian types.
• Trinity Bar (Just behind the Turkish Pide House in Dickson). This is a great lounge bar with impressive cocktail menu and jazz/DJs playing each evening Thurs-Saturday. Also in Tuggeranong on Anketel St.
• Hippo Lounge (Upstairs, Garema Place, Civic). Cocktail bar with an intimate setting amidst Baroque-meets-student-digs decor. There's also live Jazz on Wednesday nights.
• Old Parliament House. Every Friday afternoon (5pm to 7pm), the court yards of Old Parliament House have DJs and reasonably priced cocktails. It is very popular with graduates after work, before heading off to other places.
• Academy [45] (Bunda St Civic). Two-tiered nightclub, Canberra's largest, is a converted movie theatre which retains the old projection screen. Enjoy the dance floor downstairs or sit back in the cosier cocktail bar upstairs.
• Cube (Petrie Plaza Civic). Canberra's only gay nightclub with a variety of theme nights. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest.
• Uni Pub (University Ave). Multistory bar with levels dedicated to various activities including Pool and a Restaurant. Fridays and Saturdays are busiest.
• Filthy McFaddens (Kinston). Tucked away in a corner of Kingston Green a slate floored Irish pub opened by the owners of The Phoenix. Catch folk music most Friday/Saturday nights.
• PJ O'Reilly's (West Row - City). Another Irish themed bar like King O'Malley's.
• Mooseheads [46] (East Row - London Cct - City). A bar with local history. Recently burnt down and restored, Mooseheads is famous as an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) hangout.
• Tilly's (Lyneham Shops). Formerly a "female only" establishment (in theory) it now opens it's doors to everyone and is a fantastic venue for acoustic local and international acts. Large range of alcoholic drinks available.
• All Bar Nun (O'Connor Shops). Recently expanded bar in a suburban shop setting. Great for pre-dinner drinks before moving on to one of the small restaurants in the area.
• Kremlin Bar (Northbourne Ave - City). Lounge bar with a good cocktail list. Find a DJ there most weekends.
• Shooters (East Row - City). Rough and tumble reputation.
• Das Kapital (Narrabundah Shops). Intimate lounge bar, $5 Homemade Pizza and $10 jugs of Beer Wednesday-Thursday. DJ's and Bands most weekends.