Canberra in spring: an ode to renewal

Canberra welcomes visitors, after this year of interrupted plans, to explore a city blooming with events and experiences designed to invigorate mind and body. Here’s a few tasters to help you start planning your trip to our nation’s capital. Just watch out for the politicians…

Floriade to celebrate spring on screens across Australia

While Floriade in its traditional format at Canberra’s Commonwealth Park is not going ahead, next month a “reimagined” festival will see its spring spirit bloom on screens across Australia with virtual, on-demand experiences on offer.

As one million bulbs and annuals planted across the capital’s city and suburbs create a tulip trail for the Canberra community, Floriade has not forgotten its interstate fans. From September 12 to October 11, fans across the nation can connect with the festival through on-demand, virtual experiences to keep gardens green and minds inspired.

Floriade Marketplace

Stock up on Australian designed products, gardening delights and spring-inspired eats at this virtual marketplace, which will be open from September 12 to October 11. Showcasing more than 80 of your favourite Floriade traders and foodies as well as new makers, fans can enjoy the taste and style of Canberra’s spring celebration delivered straight to their door.

Tune in to Floriade Life

Each week, be inspired by a range of on-demand videos, including the Let’s Talk series with ABC Canberra broadcaster Dan Bourchier, in which conversations will cover everything from gardening to food sustainability. The first episode will feature a local panel including Adam Shipp, a Wiradjuri man from Yurbay, and Tracey Bool, a Canberra horticulturalist. Learn about the amazing bush and wild food you can find in your local area and the health properties of native plants.

Be inspired by workshops galore

A wide range of Floriade Life workshops to keep your gardens green and minds inspired are on offer, including permaculture workshops, nature journaling tips, worm farming and composting tricks, companion gardening and more.

Explore the full program at floriadeaustralia.com

Sage Dining Rooms

Sage Dining Rooms has long held a place in Canberrans’ diaries as a celebratory venue of choice. Expect demand for tables at this establishment to surge after they were awarded best fine dining restaurant in Australia in TripAdvisor’s 2020 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards. The Sage Farm, located less than 10km from the restaurant’s door in the Majura Valley, produces the organic herbs and vegetables that adorns dishes such as Jerusalem artichoke with whipped garlic, buckwheat dukkah and dashi or button mushroom agnolotti and black pepper. A sophisticated wine list that heroes local wineries rounds out this paddock to plate experience.

Sage Dining Rooms is located at the Gorman Arts Centre in the foodie precinct of Braddon. A tranquil Garden Bar leads guests into the intimate dining room and sets the scene for the night. Sage is best known for its modern Australian, colourful degustation menu. Seafood is always a standout and local producers feature heavily on the menu. Recently, Sage has started its Friday and Saturday lunch service again for two or three course meals, with the option to enjoy the full Sage experience – the five-course chef selection.

Australian National Botanic Gardens

A constant state of renewal, the Australian National Botanic Gardens marks a significant 50 years of growing, researching, protecting, sharing and educating this year. Embark on a walk through their varied landscapes, from Rainforest Gully to the Red Centre, and discover unique flora (and the occasional wandering fauna) being preserved for all to enjoy. Further relaxation is encouraged over a meal at Pollen cafe.

For a memento, pick up a bottle of Underground Spirits’ Ad Crescendum Native Gin; its namesake being a Latin reminder “to grow”, with the garden’s foraged botanicals distilled in the spirit including banksia, finger lime, rainforest aniseed, white aspen and yam daisy.

More tasty experiences

The Visit Canberra website has plenty more foodie inspiration to fire up your appetite. Learn about the top 10 spots for a healthy food fix, where to find the best vegan food in the city and a guide to Canberra’s cafe scene. For more info on things to eat, drink, see and do, head to visitcanberra.com.au