What's on this winter
Updated 21 Mar 2024
Discover the best things to do in Canberra this June, July, and August.
Canberra celebrates each season in style and winter is no exception. Why not have a snow ball fight at Corin Forest, hunt for truffles, or cheer on your favourite rugby team?
Taste treasured truffles
Sample the delights of the Canberra region’s truffle growers from mid-June through to August. The prized Black perigord truffle is on the menu at restaurants, cafes and wineries across the capital thanks to the region’s cool climate growing conditions. Enjoy a paddock to plate experience or join a truffle hunt. The Truffle Festival is a must for all foodies.
Build a snowman at Corin Forest
You don’t have to travel to the ski fields to hit the slopes. Just 45-minutes from the city, Corin Forest has easy beginners’ slopes designed to show kids the snow ropes from tobogganing to the basics of snowboarding. Build snowmen or start an epic snowball fight before feasting on woodfired pizza and hot chocolate at the cosy café.
Find a moment of calm amongst 44,000 trees
Just six kilometres from the city centre, this living collection of endangered and rare species also features spectacular views and remarkable architecture. Each July trees are lovingly wrapped in colourful scarves to keep them warm during winter. With an impressive 94 forests and 20 kilometres of multi-purpose trails, stroll or cycle through the trails that crisscross the National Arboretum Canberra.
Meet animals big and small
Diving, catching crustaceans, and racing each other through the water, the little penguins that call the National Zoo & Aquarium are always entertaining to watch. All named after famous rappers, these penguins are part of one of many breeding programs. Meet and feed giraffes, white lions, meerkats, owls and cheetahs.
Image by @harper.yeats
Indoor fun for the whole family
Head to Kingpin next where you’ll be spoiled for choice with laser tag, bowling, arcade games, escape rooms, and an impressive food and drink menu on offer.
Taste food flavoured by fire
Curl up by the fireplace and feast on seasonal produce at Canberra’s hottest new restaurants. In the heart of the city, enjoy ethically sourced Australian produce cooked over fire and coals with Asian barbeque specialists Wilma. With a menu that changes weekly but always features their woodfired oven, head to Onzieme in Kingston for fresh eats and a wonderful wine menu.
See sweeping views and endangered animals
Just a 45-minute drive from the city centre you’ll find Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Known for its amazing views and walks, the reserve helps protect and breed native, endangered animals. Winter is a great time to see superb lyrebirds, sight platypus in the sanctuary ponds, and listen to the calls of native frog species.
Time it right and in nearby Namadgi National Park you'll see snow capped mountains and 'roos hopping through winter scenes.
Sip craft brews and local gins
Taste award-winning craft beers at Braddon brewpub BentSpoke Brewing Co, which took out top place in the Great Australasian Beer Spectacular 2021. Gin lovers flock to The Canberra Distillery famed for its collaborations and unique flavours. For those who fancy both, head to the Dairy Road precinct where you’ll find Capital Brewing Co neighbouring Big River Distilling. Join Dave’s Tours to taste all the capital’s best drinks.
Cheer on your team
Cheer on the Canberra Raiders and Brumbies with plenty of home matches at GIO Stadium during winter. Manuka Oval will see the GIANTS take on fierce rivals throughout the AFL season.
See glass artists and actors in action
Canberra is well-known for its national galleries, but art lovers in the know flock to the local arts scene. Watch glassmakers working with 810 degree kilns in the hot shop at the Canberra Glassworks, see Sir Sidney Nolan's iconic paintings at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, or explore galleries nestled throughout the suburbs, including the newly revamped Tributary Projects.
The National Film and Sound Archive has curated beloved cinema moments, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and costumes of Australia’s creatives in cinema. At Australians & Hollywood (21 January 2022 – late 2023) learn the tales of craft, talent and ambition of beloved personalities including Eric Bana, Baz Luhrmann and Nicole Kidman.
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