10 cosy things to do in Canberra this winter

Fun fact: Canberra is one of Australia's sunniest capital cities. When the big yellow ball comes out to play, follow the locals to one of Canberra's newest waterside markets for a morning meander. Hosted every Saturday morning from 9am to noon, The Little Burley Market showcases the best local artisans and gourmands. You’ll find everything from freshly baked bagels and sizzling Austrian sausages to cosy cups of chai, fragrant candles and pretty potted plants. 

Rug up and embrace the cool, crisp air on a hike to one of Canberra’s most beautiful lookout points. The short but steep trail to the summit of Mount Ainslie offers breathtaking panoramic views, stretching from the Australian War Memorial and Parliament House to the mountains of Namadgi National Park and beyond. Time your walk with the sunset – around 5pm during winter – for a memorable end to the day. If you’re not tough enough to brave the cold, then you can also drive to the summit for a sunset carboot picnic. 

Once a rarity exclusive to the faraway foodies of Europe, Canberrans now have some of the world's finest truffles right on their doorstep. The region's homegrown truffle scene has exploded, thanks to dedicated local truffle farmers, like Jayson Mesman and his adorable truffle-sniffin’ pooches. Every winter, you can rug up and join Canberra’s most charming truffle dog duo on an interactive truffle hunt through the picturesque forest of 8,500 oak and hazelnut trees in the Majura Valley. After hunting down a handful of these prized little fungi, you can retreat to the warmth of The Barn for a lavish degustation lunch, prepared by ex-Quay chef Kanarith Kim, and paired with local Mada wines. The Truffle Farm hosts these magical winter experiences most weekends from May to September, including a more casual Truffle Hunt and Taste experience for $75. 

Canberra’s arts and culture scene comes to the rescue every winter with exciting new exhibitions and events. Leave your puffer jacket at the door and step into the warm embrace of the National Gallery of Australia’s latest blockbuster exhibition, Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao. Running from June 29 to October 7, this multidisciplinary exhibition traces French artist Paul Gauguin’s life from his impressionist beginnings to his Polynesian visions. After defrosting inside, venture out to the NGA’s manicured Sculpture Garden, featuring pioneering light artist James Turrell’s permanent installation, ‘Within without’. While it’s tranquil in the daytime, you won’t want to miss the light show which floods the chamber with colour at dawn and dusk.

One of Sydney’s favourite chefs, Mike KcEnearney, is bringing his celebrated canteen-style cooking to the capital for a month-long takeover at The National Gallery of Australia. Anyone lucky enough to have dined at Kitchen by Mike in Sydney will appreciate the simplistic charm of McEnearney’s seasonal menus, featuring chargrilled meat, wood-fired fish, signature salads and house-made cakes. This exclusive winter menu is only available in July, so it’s worth popping by after checking out the NGA’s newest exhibition, Gauguin's World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao. And if you miss out, don’t fret – this is just a taste of the permanent Kitchen By Mike venue opening within the gallery later this year.

If you’re craving action, a few rides on the snaking 1.2-kilometre alpine slide – the longest in the Southern Hemisphere – at Corin Forrest will do the trick. Around 40 minutes drive from the centre of town, the slide winds through a gum forest, and it’s not unusual to spot kangaroos as you zip your way down the hill. Adult adrenaline junkies may be a little less impressed with the slide’s velocity – but its proximity to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve makes it a worthwhile stop anyway. In the cooler months, Corin Forrest cranks out the artificial snow machines (often augmented by the real deal) and offers a novel day out for Australians unused to the white stuff.

Canberra’s dining scene has come leaps and bounds in recent years, now home to a wealth of restaurants that rival the ranks of Sydney and Melbourne. One of the city’s best-kept secrets is the newly opened Beltana Farm. Tucked away amongst the truffle trees on a picturesque Pialligo estate, this charming farmhouse serves up rustic Australian share plates and top-notch wines. In winter, cosy up by the two-sided fireplace and enjoy elevated comfort classics, including potato damper with macadamia dukkah; flaky potato and carrot galette; smoked lamb rump with burnt apple; and Anzac biscuit cheesecake for dessert. Too cold to commute home? You can stay the night in one of Beltana Farm’s country cottages or enchanting yurts.

It’s physical, it’s sweat-inducing and at times, it’s even heartbreaking. But for those who try their hand at it, glassmaking is mesmerising – a fact that visitors to the Canberra Glassworks will soon discover. Happily, as a newcomer to the medium, you won’t have to toil for hours over a hot furnace to get a sense of what’s possible. Every weekend, Canberra Glassworks hosts Make Your Own Vessel classes, where their artists will help you shape liquid fire into a glass tumbler or vase. Beware though: it’s not just the furnaces here that are hot. These courses are popular, so book ahead.

Piping hot potato stuffed pierogies, pillowy ricotta and cauliflower gnudi, toasty sourdough flatbread brushed in garlic toum… Your winter comfort food cravings are answered at Such and Such, the cooler, more colourful sibling of Canberra’s award-winning Pilot restaurant. Each dish here is a playful masterpiece, featuring super seasonal and contemporary takes on nostalgic snacks and share plates. Add an extra buzz of warmth to your night with a glass (or three) of lo-fi, organic wines from both local makers and faraway places.

After a day of dilly-dallying around the capital, you’ll long for the comforts of one of Canberra’s finest hotels. Snuggle up under pillowy king-sized doonas, soak in free-standing bathtubs with city skyline views, and order fluffy stacks of pancakes straight to your doorstep. You can find out top hotel picks here.

For a fuss-free holiday, you can alternatively opt for the East Hotel's culture-packed winter package, including a one-night stay, two tickets to Gauguin's World at the NGA and two tickets to Ancient Egypt at the National Museum of Australia.