15 Things To Do In Fyshwick, Canberra

Canberra’s former industrial hub has been transformed into an epic family-friendly playground by forward-thinking entrepreneurs and a feast of new delights.

Fishwyck. It’s an odd name for this tiny suburb, south of Canberra’s CBD and just metres from Canberra Airport. Yet it feels strangely appropriate. Named after Tasmanian politician Sir Philip Fysh, it’s one of the most eclectic areas of Canberra.

The area’s reputation for adult entertainment venues is a thing of the past with a brighter, more family-friendly vibe fueled by artisanal bakeries, op-shop emporiums, breweries and markets.

In its early days, Fyshwick was considered a light industrial area with a few warehouses here and there. Not much happened here and hardly anyone wanted to make the trek outside of Canberra City. Fast forward to today and Fyshwick is one of the coolest suburbs in Canberra, on par with lifestyle meccas like Braddon and Manuka with plenty of fun things to do. Here are the best of them.

1. Grab a paddle at Capital Brewing Co.

The award-winning Capital Brewing Co . is one of the driving forces behind Fyshwick’s artisanal boom. The progressive craft beer label is best represented in the hub’s lively taproom where tasting paddles showcase the team’s penchant for experimental and sustainable brewing.

friends raising their beer glasses at Capital Brewing Co., Fyshwick — Raise your beer glasses at Capital Brewing Co. (Image: VisitCanberra)

A dozen taps are regularly switched out for Capital’s beers, which have picked up plenty of accolades for the label’s sustainability ethos. This is consistently named one of Australia’s best breweries for good reason.

pouring tap beer into a glass at Capital Brewing Co., Fyshwick — The progressive craft beer label serves up a delicious on-tap brew. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Building 3/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick

2. Grab a flaky croissant at Wildflower

Wildflower is an artisan bakery and cafe standing tall at the forefront of Fyshwick’s progressive food scene. The croissants are generally the most popular thing here, coupled with some of Canberra’s finest coffee, best enjoyed in the leafy outdoor area.

You’ll spot Wildflower’s sourdough and various pastries at other cafes across Canberra, but nothing beats getting everything fresh from the source in a simple, family-friendly setting within spitting distance of Canberra Airport.

Address: 8 Townsville St, Fyshwick

3. Find some treasure at Designer Op Shop Emporium

Just over a dozen of Canberra’s finest makers, artisans and craftspeople have come together under one roof, building Designer Op Shop Emporium into something special for Canberra shoppers.

the exterior of Designer Op Shop Emporium, Fyshwick — The Emporium is a shopping destination for pre-loved fashion. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Helmed by mother and daughter duo Sharyn and Taylor Pitsilos, DOS Emporium is a veritable oasis of vintage chic fashion, design, homewares, luxury toiletries, fresh flowers and other highly individualised items packed with personality.

Much like POP Canberra in Braddon, the Emporium is an essential part of the city’s identity and locals are fiercely proud of it. You’ll be too after you find your next treasured item.

a woman browsing through vintage items on display at Designer Op Shop Emporium, Fyshwick — Peruse vintage goods at Designer Op Shop Emporium. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Corner Of Barrier Street And, 1 Lyell St, Fyshwick

4. Scale a wall at BlocHaus

BlocHaus is Canberra’s original bouldering gym and a big reason why locals regularly fly through Fyshwick. The range of unique climbing walls caters to both beginners and hobbyists, with enough space so you won’t be stuck waiting for your turn for too long.

wall climbing at BlocHaus, Fyshwick — Challenge yourself at this indoor rock climbing gym. (Image: Izzy Huang)

There’s also a separate section, FamilyHaus, designed for anyone over the age of 5 so younger climbers can build up their skill set. Consider this one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Canberra.

a group of people exercising at BlocHaus, Fyshwick — BlocHaus caters to both beginners and hobbyists. (Image: Izzy Huang)

Address: 2, 2/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick

5. Sort through the piles at Canty’s Bookshop

Dating back to 1922, the family-owned Canty’s Bookshop dusts off the charm of yesteryear and acts as a time capsule for Canberra. You’ll find 1.2 kilometres of bookshelves and piles upon stacks of both old and new books at generous prices.

Owner Luke Canty is a well of knowledge so think of him as a kind of book sommelier, keen to match your inclinations with the right page-turner so you’ve got a new favourite to spend time with.

piles of books inside Canty’s Bookshop, Fyshwick — Score a good read at Canty’s Bookshop.

Address: Fyshwick Plaza; 59-61 Wollongong St, Fyshwick

6. Bring some binoculars to Jerrabomberra Wetlands

Canberra’s manageable size is typically what makes the city such a unique and incredible part of Australia. There are very few places where bountiful wetlands sit so close to the CBD, and yet Fyshwick is the home to one of the city’s favourite natural habitats: Jerrabomberra Wetlands .

It only takes around 40 minutes to walk the entire loop of the 174-hectare protected area, which sits on the Molonglo River floodplain and is most popular amongst enthusiastic birdwatchers and nature lovers.

Scan your surroundings carefully and you may even spy some trenches used for training during the war days by Duntroon Royal Military College.

views across Jerrabomberra Wetlands from Grevillea Park — The Jerrabomberra Wetlands can be seen from Grevillea Park. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Dairy Rd, Fyshwick

7. Pack a picnic basket at Urban Providore

Although Sydney and Melbourne’s top-heavy dining scenes are in constant lock-step, Canberra is far from an insecure middle child. Having the best of both Victoria’s and New South Wales’ produce at your doorstep will do that to you.

It’s no secret that Canberra is a foodie’s paradise so make sure to pop by Urban Providore , a food hall that celebrates local and specialises in gourmet artisanal products.

Spend some time browsing through shelves of chocolate delights and local wines, or get the owners to whip you up a gourmet picnic hamper before you head to any of the best picnic spots in Canberra.

Address: 80 Kembla St, Fyshwick

8. Take a trip to Paris at The Flute Bakery

Authenticity isn’t important just to lock in precise flavours and ensure consistency, it also plays a part in ambience. Step inside the unapologetically French Flute Bakery and it’s like you’ve just zipped straight to Paris, with beautiful pastries made to exacting standards.

the exterior of Flute Bakery in Fyshwick — This homely patisserie has all the French treats you could hope for. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Mousse cakes, tarts and multi-coloured macarons line the display cabinet at this homely patisserie, which in true Parisian style is only open on weekdays. Those sweet and savoury pies are some of the best in Canberra as well, so make sure you bring your appetite with you.

French pastries on display at The Flute Bakery, Fyshwick — The Flute Bakery is one of the best purveyors of French pastries. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 8 Barrier St, Fyshwick

9. Get inspired at the Niche Markets

The heart of this tiny suburb is Fyshwick Markets with rows of stallholders touting fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood. But look closer and you’ll find the separate Niche Markets : an extension dedicated to local craftspeople with a great range of goods from flowers and jewellery to homewares and hand-crafted gifts.

Niche Markets is open from Thursday to Sunday only, and there’s live music on weekends. It’s a great place to bring the whole family together and spend some time picking apart Canberra’s irrepressible sense of creativity.

Address: 36 Mildura St, Fyshwick

10. Bite into a Brodburger

Not one for beer? In case you need a different reason to hit up the team at Capital Brewing Co., you can go just to find Canberra’s favourite burger truck, Brodburger , parked up with its locally famous red van.

Brodburger's Sascha Brodbeck and Joelle Bou-Jaoude — Meet the co-owners behind Brodburger’s success, Sascha Brodbeck and Joelle Bou-Jaoude. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Brodburger has been slinging the best burgers in Canberra for years. With Capital as their new forever home, it’s easy to chow down on one of their pitch-perfect burgers or hot dogs before heading on out to explore Fyshwick’s unique charms.

a close-up of burgers at Brodburger, Fyshwick — The famous red van slings hearty burgers. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Building 3/1 Dairy Rd, Fyshwick

11. Sharpen your mind at Revelation Puzzle Rooms

Work around the clock to find a cure to a mysterious illness, solve a murder or uncover a drug stash at Revelation Puzzle Rooms . Real-life role-playing has never been more popular now that Escape Rooms (or Puzzle Rooms) are getting more sophisticated and creative.

There are four different themed puzzle rooms at this Fyshwick favourite, where two to eight players work together to decipher riddles and thread information together before it is too late.

Address: 155 Gladstone St, Fyshwick

12. Accio some wizarding merch at Quizzic Alley

Harry Potter fans are usually shocked to hear that Canberra hosts the biggest collection of Wizarding World merchandise in the entire country. You’ll find it all at Quizzic Alley , an old-school magic shop that doesn’t mess around when it comes to fun visuals and interesting finds.

the entrance at Quizzic Alley — Step into the Wizarding World. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Even if you aren’t walking away with a new broomstick, snap some selfies in Weasley’s flying Ford Anglia and chug a QBrew (a stand-in for butterbeer).

Harry Potter merchandise at Quizzic Alley, Fyshwick — Find all things magic at Quizzic Alley. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 5 Pirie St, Fyshwick

13. Build up some (friendly) rage at Breakr

Did you know that Canberra has its very own smash room? It’s a space where you, dressed in protective wear, have a time limit to break, smash, wreck and shatter various common items as a stand-in for whatever frustrations you’re holding onto.

Teacups, old printers, glassware – nothing stands a chance once you step inside one of Breakr’s smash rooms and safely dial in some controlled cathartic chaos.

two people wearing protective clothes at Breakr smash room, Fyshwick — Sign up for Canberra’s ultimate smash room experience at Breakr.

Address: 4/1 Lyell Street, Fyshwick

14. Practice your aim at Axxe

Darts are a thing of the past. We want big, sharp axes and we want them now. Given Fyshwick is now a hotbed of recreation centres and modern group activities, Axxe feels inevitable.

Slink into a checked flannelette, channel your inner lumberjack, take a deep breath, and let that axe fly like the wind as it chops into that big bullseye. Note that this experience is only for those over 18 and you must be wearing covered shoes.

Address: 4/1 Lyell St, Fyshwick

15. Go op shopping at Material Pleasures

You may not be in Brunswick, but who needs Melbourne’s gritty hipster tastes when you’ve got Fyshwick? Material Pleasures is every bit as vibrant and diverse as anything you’ll find on Sydney Road, featuring a dynamic collection of recycled contemporary designer clothing and accessories.

Material Pleasures is one of the best fashion stores in Canberra so next time you need a new outfit – or a flannelette shirt to wear to Axxe – pop by this store, with very approachable prices and a clear love of designer classics.

Address: 3 Barrier St, Fyshwick

Discover the best things to do in Canberra.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

15 fun things to do in Fyshwick, Canberra