Canberra, ACT - citybreaks

Mix the best of Canberra’s regional food and wine with culture, including a photographic exhibition and rock ‘n’ roll flower show.

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Up with the best

Follow Canberra’s wine trail to the cellar door at Clonakilla, where the winery’s shiraz viognier has recently joined Penfolds Grange and other legendary names as one of Australia’s most revered wines in the second highest ranking of Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine, an internationally respected rating based on long-term performance. The wine has been given a rating of “outstanding”, and the classification ranks it among the top 33 wines in Australia. The 2004 vintage is now on sale. Of course, you can taste and buy other wines at Clonakilla and other nearby wineries. Clonakilla, Crisps Lane, Murrumbateman.
www.clonakilla.com.au

Rock ‘n’ Roll in Bloom

This year’s Floriade theme is Rock ‘n’ Roll in Bloom, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of rock ‘n’ roll. Flowerbeds will represent songs from the past 50 years, such as Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Strawberry Fields Forever, and free concerts each weekend will include performances by classic rockers such as Frankie J Holden. Also look out for Elvis Day, rock trivia with Anthony Akroyd and air-guitar demonstrations. This year, the theme of Floriade has been extended with the development of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Trail to visit more attractions. Highlights include the signed passenger-entry cards of The Beatles on display at the National Archives of Australia; portraits of famous Australian music legends – including Midnight Oil, Natalie Imbruglia, Nick Cave and Chrissy Amphlet – at the National Portrait Gallery; rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia at the National Film and Sound Archive; and the jacket, guitar and microphone that belonged to Indigenous musician Jimmy Little on display at the National Museum of Australia. Floriade 2005 runs from 17 September to 16 October in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park.
www.floriadeaustralia.com

Foodie news

Australian Capital Tourism has produced a 24 page Gourmet Guide to Canberra to help you find your way around the dining scene. The guide includes a selection of quality restaurants, recipes from restaurants and cafes, and information about some of the city’s attractions. Call the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre on 1300 554 114 for a free guide.
www.visitcanberra.com.au

grapefoodwine

Grapefoodwine, now with new restaurant management and a new chef, serves up local/regional pro-duce – including Lynwood Preserves, Bungendore meat and Poachers Pantry smoked foods – on the new menu at the winery restaurant overlooking Lake George. Owners Romilly and David Madew have taken over the management them-selves, appointing Josh Cook as head chef and creating a wine list featuring only Canberra District wines. Taste Madew Wines, including the 2004 Belle riesling.
www.madewwines.com.au

Winery tours by air

Be whisked to Canberra’s wineries in Aquila Helicopters’ new Raven II R44. Your pilot will wait while you do your tasting and then take you to the next winery. Owner and highly experienced chief pilot, Chris Farrell, has been operating the tailored service for 18 months and can meet your individual needs. Prices start from $133 per person, but you’ll need to take a couple of friends along, as the minimum number required for the flight is three. The flight might include the Poachers Pantry and Wily Trout Vineyard, as well as a scenic flight over Canberra on the return trip. Other popular destinations include Madew Wines, Lambert Vineyards and the district’s newest winery restaurant, Shaw Vineyard Estate.
www.aquilahelicopters.com.au

Cecil Beaton: Portraits

Don’t miss this touring exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery in London. It’s on show at the gallery in Old Parliament House, with over 150 portraits from the 50 years of Cecil Beaton’s career. Fashion, art and celebrities feature, from the Sitwells in the 1920s to Mick Jagger in the late 1960s. Works from Beaton’s time as a war photographer are also included, plus work from visits to Hollywood – including images of Gary Cooper, Loretta Young and Marlene Dietrich. A 1956 portrait of Marilyn Monroe from her own collection is accompanied by the photographer’s hand-written eulogy about her. The exhibition runs from 16 September – 27 November.
www.portrait.gov.au