What's on in spring
Updated 29 Aug 2024
Explore Floriade and beyond as you unveil the delights of Canberra’s many spring activities
One of the best times of year in the nation’s capital is when the springtime sun comes out, and you wake up to the sweet scent of flowers and the excitement of gleeful Canberrans as they welcome the arrival of the warmer months.
This season is the perfect time to dive into all sorts of outdoor fun and enjoy the great weather. Whether you’re a nature buff, a photography fan, or just someone looking to soak up the outdoors, Canberra’s spring offerings are sure to be unforgettable.
Embrace the outdoors
Canberra is often described as a nature park with iconic national attractions tucked into its lush corners, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.
Make the most of the warming weather with Canberra’s newest adventure hotspot. Just a short drive from the city centre, Treetops Adventure Canberra offers an exhilarating experience for the whole family, starting from age 3. Challenge yourself with 90 thrilling aerial obstacles and glide across 16 ziplines, suspended 2 to 15 meters above the ground. Bottom of Form
Heights not your thing? Why not try a locals’ favourite nature hike, like making it to the top of Mount Ainslie or Black Mountain? Or give a go at trig-pointing if you’re ticking a few local peaks off your list.
When the sun is shining, follow the locals’ lead: relax by the water with a good book or take a refreshing dip. Local favourites include Casuarina Sands or Uriarra Crossing, both with shady spots and swimming holes, on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Or explore Cotter Avenue Recreation Area, which is the ideal venue for picnics, swimming, fishing, or bushwalking year round.
If you’re a self-guided explorer, check out some of the lesser-known history of Australia’s capital with Canberra Tracks, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Or walk your way through a game of disc golf at Weston Park, for some fun in the sun. For a guided experience, why not join in with a Brunelee Excursions on Horseback adventure, for a viewpoint of the Canberra region unlike any other?
Celebrate the season with the best festivals
Few destinations celebrate spring the way that Canberra does, with the amazing annual flower festival, Floriade. From 14 September to 13 October, Commonwealth Park explodes with over one million blooms across extensive displays of flowers. And when the sun goes down, you can catch Floriade’s dark side, NightFest (3-6 October) which returns with a new and exciting program of after-dark entertainment and horticultural illuminations. Each evening of NightFest, the park will be illuminated with colour and filled with entertainment and fantastic food.
Dive into Canberra’s vibrant multicultural scene at the Canberra Moon Festival (6-8 September) right in the city centre. For three exciting days, you can groove to DJ beats, catch amazing cultural performances, and sample a wide range of Asian dishes from various food stalls.
Another must-see event is the Botanica Spirits & Food Festival (7-8 September) at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. This new festival, which made its debut in 2023, showcases over 25 of Australia’s top craft distillers with award-winning gins, vodkas, rums, whiskeys, and liqueurs. Enjoy a curated selection of Australian spirits, delicious food, live entertainment, and unique botanically inspired markets.
Combine sunshine, sips, and savoury treats
Canberrans are lucky to combine their love of good food and good views together on a regular basis, with more outdoor dining spots for lunch and dinner than you can shake a stick at. After you’ve finished having a picnic alongside Lake Burley Griffin, why not head to an outdoor bar for a sunset and a nightcap? Try Margot Bar, The Jetty or House of Bubbles for a water-side tipple.
Venture further out to explore the Canberra District Wine Region and enjoy the spring air in your hair as you cycle from one cellar door to the next, on a bike tour of Murrumbateman’s off-road winery trail. Or keep combining movement and wine with a Sunday morning spent at Namaste Rosé.[KH1]
Take dining to the next level while enjoying a feast in one of Waters Edge Restaurant’s unique Dining Domes[KH2] on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Or sail the water yourself in a private, electric GoBoat or Love Boat, complete with sips, dips, and views of some of Canberra’s most iconic attractions on the shoreline.
Immerse yourself in culture
See blockbuster exhibitions like the National Gallery of Australia's latest major exhibition, Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao (until 7 October), which offers a rare opportunity to experience the enduring art of French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin. Featuring some of his most recognised masterpieces, many created in the Pacific region, the exhibition explores Gauguin’s life, work, artistic influences, and historical impact.
Or step into the artistic world of the Darling Portrait Prize 2024 (until 13 October) at the National Portrait Gallery and see how 24 finalists have captured the essence of Australian identity. The National Photographic Portrait Prize (until 13 October) is also on display, featuring powerful snapshots from 34 talented photographers.
The Canberra Art Biennial (27 September-26 October) will also be running in spring. Experience a festival of contemporary art in Canberra, where artworks are exhibited externally in the Canberra landscapes around Lake Burley Griffin, the National Arboretum Canberra, and the city.
To truly appreciate and enjoy Canberra, it is essential to acknowledge and recognise the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people, and any other people or families with a connection to the lands of the ACT and region, who have cared for this land as their home for thousands of years.
To learn about local culture, join in with Dhawura Tours or Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to see and learn about the land from the eyes of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. An experienced guide and Traditional Custodian will interpret various sites of significance and explore a variety of landscapes, wildlife, and natural bush around Canberra.
For a guided walk around the iconic National Arboretum Canberra, join a Ngala Tour with an Indigenous Visitor Services Officer. This walk will bring the landscape to life, allowing you to gain a deeper respect for Aboriginal Traditions and Culture.
If you’re right in the heart of the National Triangle, why not explore the hidden history of Canberra and take a tour with She Shapes History? Their knowledgeable guides are dedicated to sharing all Canberra has to offer, so bring your camera and your questions for an enlightening walk in the sunshine.
Entertain the kiddies
For even more fun in the sun, explore the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which is home to the world’s most comprehensive display of living Australian plants as well as walking trails, educational activities, lawns for running and playing, numerous picnic tables, a café, and a bookshop.
Of course, you can’t beat the National Zoo & Aquarium for an experience that’s sure to excite and delight the whole family. You can even pat a cheetah, feed a bear, or become acquainted with a meerkat during some of the most amazing hands-on animal experiences in Australia.
Keep exploring in spring...
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