This World Tourism Day, add Canberra to your travel bucket list

~ From sustainability to innovation to easy accessibility, this Australian city is a must visit ~

Most of us look forward to our vacations and are always in search of finding unique, beautiful spots to explore. With an increase in the number of travel destinations, and the diverse experiences, deciding on the right place is tough. This World Tourism Day, this city is a hidden gem you must consider for your next trip, if you like sustainable travel, innovations, art, culture, and natural beauty.

Here are five compelling reasons for you to add Australia’s capital, Canberra to your bucket list –

1. Sustainability

Eat, stay and explore sustainably in Canberra – a different kind of capital. With its multiple green initiatives, Canberra is known to be one of the most sustainable cities in the world. It uses 100% renewable energy for the entire city and showcases how there are plenty of ways to enjoy, while being conscious of your environmental footprint.

Savour the sustainable offerings at eateries such as Capital Brewing Co., Two Before Ten (Aranda), Monster Kitchen & Bar and Sweet Bones Vegan Café. You can also indulge in sustainable pampering at the Australian National Botanic Garden’s Jindii Eco Spa, which offers Indigenous spa treatments using wild native ingredients. Spend the night stargazing across the southern skies from one of the solar powered bell tents at Cubby & Co. at Mount Majura Vineyard. There’s so much more here, than what meets the eye.

2. Experiential celebrations such as Floriade

Brace yourself to witness Floriade in Canberra, the biggest spring celebration in the whole of Australia. This month-long festival commenced on 16th September 2023 and is open to be explored for all age groups, including your furry friends. The theme for this year, 'Floral Wonderland,' aims to encourage visitors to escape into their own wonderland, as they explore the magical charm of over one million blooms. The flower and entertainment festival is nothing less than a medley of delight and surprise. The festival is enriched by integrated sculptures, vibrant cultural celebrations, and an array of other artistic features, making it truly distinct and captivating.

3. Culture

Canberra is filled with top galleries and world-renowned national museums and more. Experience awe-inspiring views, unique adventures, and top-notch entertainment at the National Arboretum Canberra. The Arboretum, a 250-hectare site, houses over 44,000 rare and endangered trees and is considered a place of beauty, conservation, scientific research, education, tourism, and recreation. From catching the latest exhibition of local arts at Beaver Galleries, one of city’s oldest and most renown locally owned galleries, to heading to the National Portrait Gallery or nearby National Gallery of Australia, which is privileged to host the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, it’s time you let your eyes feast in the cultural hub of Australia.

4. Accessibility

Canberra is known to have the most physically active community in Australia. The city is easily accessible for everyone – walkers, cyclists, motorbikes and cars. The extensive network of cycleways and footpaths make getting outdoors more enjoyable and safer. Staying in Canberra gives visitors an easy access to reminiscing destinations such as the picturesque Namadgi National Park, ski-fields, and the stunning Snowy Mountains region, and an easy three-hour drive to the city’s north will take you to Sydney. In a nutshell, you can explore the region surrounding Canberra at ease, and the diverse range of experiences the city offers are mostly all 15 minutes away from each other too.

5. Innovation

Canberra recently celebrated its newest, most unique festival curation for anyone who loves innovation. The Winter Innovation Festival in Canberra was launched to embody city’s identity as the 'Knowledge Capital' of Australia. The ultimate goal of the festival was to make Canberra an open ground for innovation, art and science while also celebrating creativity, experimentation and groundbreaking ideas.