Go exploring: Best ACT holiday destinations

Sometimes, you just want to get away. Not just from the thoughts of work and/or life’s many stresses, but other people. Fortunately, there are a few destinations around the nation’s capital that are a little less known by the masses, giving you exactly the break you’ve been looking for.

Here are a few options to hopefully help you unwind and de-stress, away from the crowds, that include everything from short day trips to weekend getaways and longer week stays.

Day trips ahoy

Lennox Gardens

Offering some truly incredible views of the Brindabella Ranges, Black Mountain and the city centre, Lennox Gardens makes for a fantastic day out. There’s the traditional Chinese gate in the Beijing Garden, some native Japanese plantings in Nara Peace Park (get there in October for the annual candle festival), and ample space to stretch your legs and relax under the shade of a tree.

Mount Majura Vineyard

If you don’t have the luxury of being able to spend more than a day visiting wineries, the Mount Majura Vineyard is a great choice. It’s a short 15km drive northeast of the Canberra CBD and sits right on the side slope of Mount Majura. With its selection of both reds and whites combined with some unforgettable views and the local roos hopping around, you’re sure to love the experience.

Note: please check for updated travel restrictions prior to crossing the border into NSW.

Wonderful weekends

Northern Border campsite

Take yourself right up to the border between the ACT and NSW and spend the night at the Northern Border Campground in Gungahlin. An awesome little spot off the beaten track that’ll give you the chance to switch off and get back to nature in its purest form with loads of bushwalking possibilities and, most likely, not a single other soul around for miles.

Paddys River (NSW)

Drive around 3 hours southwest of Canberra on the Hume Highway and set up camp at the Paddys River Flats Campground for a weekend of swimming, mountain biking, fishing and relaxing with a couple of cool drinks by a campfire (check restrictions first), forgetting all about that big to-do list.

Week-away holidays

Cotter Campground

Right on the banks of the Cotter River, the Cotter Campground will take you far away from civilisation while located only 25 minutes away from the city centre. You’re a short trip away from some great surrounding features like the Namadgi National Park, Stromlo Forest Park and Cotter Dam - to name just a few. During your stay there, you’ll feel in the middle of nowhere yet right at home with the facilities at hand including hot showers, barbecues (gas and woodfired), toilets and more.

Alivio Tourist Park

Who says you have to travel out of Canberra to find a nice little bush getaway? The Alivio Tourist Park is located right in the city, just north of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and offers a plethora of amenities and activities to keep you active and busy all week including a swimming pool, basketball/volleyball/tennis courts, playgrounds, mountain biking and bushwalking trails and a heck of a lot more.

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