Go on an exciting hot air balloon ride, visit historical attractions or wine and dine in a gorgeous vineyard – here’s a beginner’s itinerary of what to do in Canberra, Australia
With its relatively close proximity to Singapore, Australia’s a popular holiday destination; and no wonder, since there’s so much to do Down Under – stunning sights, amazing food and cool, indie coffee shops serving great coffee. But besides cruising along the Gold Coast or traipsing down the arty alleyways of Melbourne, don’t miss a stopover at the nation’s tranquil capital city too. With direct flights from Singapore to Canberra launching on 20 September, getting there has never been easier! So if you’re planning a trip this year-end, read on for more reasons to book a flight from online travel agency CheapTickets.sg to Canberra during the holidays.
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Visit major attractions for free
With Canberra’s main attractions located within a 20-minute drive of each other, it’s easy to plan an entire day visiting these stops! First off, anthropology enthusiasts will have a field day at the National Museum of Australia, that covers the history and stories of Australia and its people through exhibitions and guided tours. For a fee, you can also attend headlining international shows there – we have our sights on A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum, happening from 9 September to 29 January 2017.
Lest you thought we forgot about the art lovers, the city’s teeming with art galleries, and one of these gems is the National Portrait Gallery, which showcases over 400 portraits of Australian icons ranging from artists to musicians, entertainers, politicians, athletes, and even royalty. If you’re a fan of Aussie musician Nick Cave or Mad Max director George Miller, then put this on your to-do list!
Otherwise, immerse yourself in the capital’s political history at the iconic Parliament House, where visitors can take a sneak peek at a live parliamentary sitting, and view over 200 significant works that shaped Australia’s culture and identity, such as an art piece by Aboriginal artist Nelson Jagamara, featuring a mosaic comprising 90,000 hand-guillotined granite pieces. Bonus: we’re all about taking pretty holiday pictures, and the building’s a stunning architectural marvel that looks absolutely impressive during dusk – you can walk up to the top for a bird’s eye view of the city.
Book an alternative hotel experience
Can’t get enough of Canberra’s wildlife? Then check out a one-of-a-kind zoo tour at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. You’ll find guided tours, private animal feeding sessions and rustic accommodations set in treehouses located next to the animal enclosures. Lions, tigers, cheetahs, bears and giraffes are all part of this exciting walk on the wild side!
Take a leisurely road trip away from the city
One of the best ways to admire the views of the country is to go on a drive. With plenty of flights, accommodation and car rental choices available on the website, Cheaptickets.sg makes planning your itinerary a breeze. All you have to do is to book your flights, accommodation and car using their trip guide for the best deals!
Whether you’re driving your way to Sydney or making a trip down to Canberra from the bustling city, dropping by Poacher’s Way is a must. Just 35 minutes outside of Canberra, this charming countryside enclave includes a traditional smokehouse, award-winning wineries, a farm-to-table restaurant, a woodwork gallery, and a chocolatier – perfect for a bout of sightseeing or a feast with a picturesque view. And don’t forget to visit gorgeous nature attractions like the Morton National Park on your three-and-a-half-hour journey to Sydney, or the Snowy Mountains near Canberra, for a scenic stop like no other.
For a sight to behold, sign up for a whale watching tour on a cruise around Jervis Bay, available from May to November. Who knows, the lucky few may even spot one in the waters, where seals and dolphins can be found swimming around too!
Catch the sunrise on a hot air balloon
Admire Canberra in its full glory at dawn, atop a spectacular hot air balloon. Lasting between 45 minutes to an hour, this experience takes you up to breathtaking heights of 2,000 feet and more – so don’t forget to bring your smartphone or camera for plenty of photo opportunities of the cityscape, as Canberra is the only place in the world where you can travel over a parliament house in a hot air balloon! After which, you’ll be toasting to your trip with a sparkling wine celebration and a commemorative flight certificate. Hope you aren’t afraid of heights!
Special offer
Enjoy a $30 discount on all flights from Singapore to Canberra or Sydney when you book from Cheaptickets.sg, using the code HONEYCOMBERSCBR by 30 September 2016.
For more trip ideas and affordable flights, visit their website.
This article is sponsored by Cheaptickets.sg