Canberra Indulgence

A relaxing weekend in Canberra offers the opportunity to discover some delightful aspects of our capital city including art, theatre, gardens, museums and indulgent food and wine experiences.

Luxury accommodation Canberra

Hyatt Hotel Canberra Indulgence

A very special package includes airport limousine transfers to the hotel, 3 nights accommodation for two in a Diplomatic Suite, VIP check-in with coffee or cocktails in Hamilton's at Hyatt, daily buffet breakfast in The Promenade Café. Also some indulgent extras designed to excite the senses including: A picnic lunch in the surrounds of the National Botanic Gardens amongst the fragrant native Australian bush land. Private Patisserie practice with our Pastry Chef Greold Gstrein followed by a private a la carte dinner in the Diplomatic Suite Dining Room plus exclusive Australian wines. Second dinner for two at Axis restaurant located at the National Museum of Australia, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Private hot air balloon flight over Canberra with French Champagne served during the flight. One-hour massage for two in your suite. Tickets to a play or concert at the Canberra Theatre.
Cost from $4,450, more details, Hyatt Hotel Canberra, tel: 02 6270 1234.

Wine Indulgence

The Canberra region has a number of cool climate wineries – Madew, for example, which has a restaurant operated by Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Lunch and private wine tastings can be arranged in this modern setting while tours are also available to the wineries of the Hall, Murrumbateman and Bungendore regions. Barrique Restaurant at Murrumbateman is a favourite with locals and Poacher’s Pantry at Hall home smokes a wide range of produce and features the cafes and tasting area in an old farmhouse, The Smokehouse Café. Smoked, duck, quail and smoked lamb sausages are just some of the delicacies.

Restaurants and Bars

Bar and restaurant hopping is fun around the historic Sydney and Melbourne buildings of Canberra’s central city area, where there is something for everyone from bars and nightclubs to pubs and many different types of dining. Mezzalira on London Circuit, for example, is an Italian favourite with a great menu based around its wood-fired oven. Canberra has several other areas to check out including Manuka which has a Mediterranean flavour with cafes and boutique shops and next door Kingston with varied cuisines, boutiques and antique centres, while Belconnen is especially known for its Turkish and Indian food.

Take a walk Canberra is the kind of city you can walk around, discovering the city centre, the parks, Lake Burley Griffin and the gardens. Floriade 2004 this year has a water theme celebrating with oceans and rivers, rapids and rainbows with cascades of flowers. The Wonder of Water is at Commonwealth Park from 18 September-17 October 2004 with free entry.

Mastering the arts Take a half-hour tour of the National Gallery designed to highlight its masterpieces. The National Gallery of Australia houses more than 100,000 works from every branch of the visual arts including The Australian collection, Aboriginal art and the international collection with contemporary masterpieces including Jackson Pollock’s famous “Blue Poles”. National Gallery, Parkes Place. tel: 02 6240 6502. Gorman House Arts Centre, Ainslie Avenue, Braddon, tel: 02 6249 7377 is home to visual artists, theatre and dance companies and arts organisations and the award winning Sage Café plus an arts and crafts market.