5 minute read
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory is thriving as a travel destination. Whether you’re looking to unlock the stories of Australian history at its many museums, soak up art and culture at its galleries, or get in touch with the outdoors in any of its dozens of nature reserves and gardens – or of course, its centrepiece, Lake Burley Griffin – you’re bound to find something here you’ll love. Prepare yourself to have a capital time.
Attend a Last Post Ceremony
Honour fallen members of the Australian Defence Force with this touching ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Held daily at 4:45pm in the Commemorative Area, each ceremony shares the individual story behind one of the over 103,000 names on the Roll of Honour. The ceremony begins with the Australian national anthem followed by the Piper’s Lament. Visitors are invited to lay wreaths and floral tributes beside the Pool of Reflection. Then, an individual’s story is told, and the Ode is recited by Australian Defence Force personnel. The ceremony ends with the sounding of the Last Post.
Note all visitors (including children) require a free timed ticket to enter the Australian War Memorial or attend the Last Post Ceremony (you can book online at awm.gov.au/visit). While attendance is free, capacity is limited, and early arrival is recommended for larger groups as the Memorial is unable to reserve spaces at the Last Post Ceremony.
The Memorial also has a new temporary entrance in place, located opposite Poppy’s Café. While the Memorial is in the process of being transformed, please expect some disruption to your visit including construction noise, changed parking conditions, and reduced access to some galleries and exhibitions.
1. Last Post Ceremonies are held daily in the Commemorative Area of the Australian War Memorial
2. Poppies line the panels of the Australian War Memorial’s Roll of Honour
3. Visitors arrive at the NFSA ready to unlock tales of Australian cinema
4. A gardener trims a bonsai tree in Canberra’s National Arboretum
AT A GLANCE
Australian War Memorial
02 6243 4211 awm.gov.au/visit
National Film and Sound Archive
02 6248 2000 nfsa.gov.au
Australian National Botanic Gardens
02 6250 9588 parksaustralia.gov.au/ botanic-gardens
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4 Get a taste of Hollywood at the NFSA
Discover unseen treasures from Australian cinema on a visit to the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and learn how our homegrown talent has stepped up on the world stage. The NFSA’s popular Australians & Hollywood Exhibition continues this summer after rave reviews in 2021-22. The show features costumes and props from the genius of costume designer Catherine Martin and director Baz Luhrmann, the wife-and-husband duo who have worked together on such films as Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Australia (2008), The Great Gatsby (2013) and, most recently, Elvis (2022). Spend time up close with real artefacts from their films as well as others including Mad Max: Fury Road (George Miller 2015), The Sapphires (Wayne Blair, 2012) and Dune (Denis Villeneuve, 2021). Drop by ‘The Marvellous Corricks’, the free NFSA exhibition about the family of entertainers who delighted Australian audiences with music, comedy and film in the early 20th century. When you’re done, relax in the courtyard or grab a bite at the NFSA’s award-winning café, The Curators Café Bar (nfsa.gov.au).
Connect with nature in and around Canberra
According to the ACT Government, it’s estimated no Canberran lives more than 3.5km from a nature park or forest. With so much green right on the doorstep, then, any Club spending time in Canberra won’t be short of options for a day in the great outdoors. Breathe in the fresh air on
A tale of craft, talent, and ambition
ON NOW | GROUP BOOKING DISCOUNT $11 PER PERSON FOR GROUPS OF 10+
EXHIBITION TICKETS: NFSA.GOV.AU/HOLLYWOOD | EXCLUSIVE ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES: ALL.ACCOR.COM/NFSA
a Daily Guided Walk of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, nestled at the foothill of Black Mountain. Knowledgeable guides share stories about the huge selection of Australian plants on display and help you truly appreciate the beauty of our local flora (parksaustralia.gov.au/botanicgardens). Visit the National Arboretum Canberra, a mosaic of living forests and gardens with outstanding views and 44,000 rare and endangered trees. The Arboretum offers daily walks, guided bus tours and cultural workshops that take in various elements of the 250-hectare site (nationalarboretum.act.gov.au). Fancy a walk without having to book at all? Canberra is made up of 39 nature reserves scattered throughout and around the city, including Mount Ainslie, Mount Majura, Black Mountain, Mulligans Flat and so many more.
Try some ‘light’ craft in Braddon
Love the idea of bonding with Club members over an interesting craft? Here’s a bright idea – Art Masterclass holds fantastic 2.5-hour Mosaic Lamp Making Workshops in Braddon, Canberra, where you can make your very own Turkish lamp using mosaic tiles (tesserae) and a beautiful geometric template of your choice. The experience comes complete with fresh and seasonal grazing boxes, Turkish coffee and tea, and homemade Turkish shortbread cookies – and, of course, you get to take home your creative masterpiece (artmasterclass.com.au/products/mosaic-classes-canberra).
Take the Aussie Peace Walk
Walking is one of life’s most simple pleasures, and in Canberra they have a festival dedicated to doing just that. In 2021, the 30th Canberra Two-Day Walk – sometimes called the “Canberra Walking Festival” – re-branded as the Rotary Aussie Peace Walk, and in 2023 it marches on, continuing its wonderful legacy on the weekend of 25-26 March. The festival-like event enables people of all ages to get together for a weekend of fun while participating in any of seven walking courses, including an easy 7km walk starting at Nara Park and around parts of Lake Burley Griffin, passing by Commonwealth Park, the National Art Gallery and historic Albert Hall along the way. Participants are encouraged to chat with fellow walkers, and there’s only one key rule: no running! (aussiepeacewalk.com.au). ■
1. ‘Wide Brown Land’ is a 35-metre-wide sculpture that can be found in Canberra’s National Arboretum
2. Learn to make mosaic lamps at an Art Masterclass in Braddon
3. Lake Burley Griffin is the centrepiece of Canberra and a key part of the Rotary Aussie Peace Walk
AT A GLANCE
National Arboretum Canberra
02 6207 8484 nationalarboretum.act. gov.au
Art Masterclass Mosaic Lamp Making Workshops
0459 902 606 artmasterclass.com.au/ products/mosaic-classescanberra
Rotary Aussie Peace Walk
0424 145 363 aussiepeacewalk.com.au
