You don’t need a beach to have a good summer in the country’s capital.
Canberra might not have a beach, but that doesn’t stop locals from embracing long, hot summer days with glee.
With many natural waterholes to dip into (Kambah Pool and Cotter Nature Reserve for starters), never-ending hiking trails and parks, and a beloved lake that sizzles with summertime life, it’s a place to truly embrace outdoor living.
Taste a Canberra summer at these restaurants and bars…
Embrace outdoor living like locals with fish and chips at Yarralumla Yacht Club while the kids play on the lawns. Mix pizza and summer cocktails at lakeside Margot Bar , or chill in Capital Brewing’s beer garden at funky Dairy Road.
Beltana Farm brings rustic fine dining to nursery-filled Pialligo, accolade-gathering Onzieme boasts relaxed, sophisticated fare while Edgar’s Inn in Ainslie elevates pub grub, especially upstairs.
Beltana Farm in Pialligo offers rustic fine dining at its best. (Image: Visit Canberra)
At historic Hyatt Hotel Canberra , a stroll from the galleries, step back in time with grand interiors and spacious courtyard gardens perfect for evening tipples.
Midnight Hotel is a sleek stay. (Image: Ryan Linnegar)
Take to Lake Burley Griffin in a GoBoat. (Image: Visit Canberra/Lean Timms)
Get revved up in January as Summernats car-lovers’ festival roars into town or taste and travel the world at February’s National Multicultural Festival.
Annual Summernats car festival roars into town. (Image: Visit Canberra/Doug Dobing)
Hot tip:Canberra is a big cultured city with a laid-back country feel. What other capital offers sprawling vineyards such as Nick O’Leary and Mount Majura , with wine tastings and long, slow lunches just 20 minutes from the CBD? And while we love our hot, dry days, what a relief when the temperatures dip at night for sweet, sweat-free slumber.
Nick O’Leary is just one of many nearby vineyards. (Image: Lean Timms)
Christine Aldred is a travel writer and avid wanderer. She loves delving under the surface of places she visits to uncover their histories, tales and culinary highlights, and sharing the finds. She’s somewhat obsessive about taking photos, is a chronic over-packer and spends way too much time online.
Those dreaming of a river escape that’s less rush and more rest will discover the perfect getaway in Echuca Moama.
Best known for summer river holidays, Echuca Moama dishes up extraordinary options for those craving good food, experiences and culture. Discover how best to spend your getaway in this gorgeous river town.
1. Find unique stays in Echuca Moama
Bathe under the stars at Goolwa River Retreat.
An adventure here starts with the perfect place to stay. Echuca Moama is famous for its luxury houseboats. Be spoilt for choice with amenities like spas, chef’s kitchens and en-suites onboard Murray River Houseboats and Echuca Luxury Houseboats .
For those who prefer to stay on dry land to sleep, there’s no shortage of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The villas at Goolwa River Retreat offer spectacular views of the Murray Riverfront, cosy evenings by the fire pit. And, a truly unique and luxurious experience: bathing under the stars in an outdoor bathtub.
Families travelling with young kids will appreciate the fully self-contained cabins, which sleep up to six, at NRMA Echuca Holiday Park . Complete with BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground, Echuca Holiday Park is the perfect base for families exploring the Echuca Moama region.
More adventurous guests can experience off-grid serenity at Carriages Water Front Retreat , where they can slumber among the redgums in a lovingly converted vintage train carriage.
If you prefer a more central place to stay, the Mercure Port of Echuca is located just five minutes from the Port of Echuca on foot and offers comfortable rooms, as well as easy access to all the region has to offer.
2. Explore the Murray River
Jump aboard one of Echuca Moama’s famous paddlesteamers.
Those who prefer an active holiday can hire a stand-up paddleboard with Echuca SUP to explore the river. Duck under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge and listen out for local wildlife. At the end of your paddleboarding trip, you’ll find a shuttle service to return you to the car park.
Kayaking is another great option if you like to combine seeing the sights with a full-body workout. Hire a kayak from River Country Adventours , or join a river safari for a guided experience.
3. Go hiking and biking in Echuca Moama
Peddle along the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail.
On foot or by bike, there are plenty of trails to explore the region. Embark on a guided e-bike tour with Green Pedal (or hire an e-bike and go it alone) to explore the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail . Traverse through beautiful bushland and the scenic Waranga Basin. Bakeries and picnic areas in the historic town of Rushworth provide the perfect place for refreshments.
Day trip to the lookout at Whroo Forest, near the now-abandoned Whroo township, located on historic Balaclava Hill. The Hill was once the site of Victoria’s largest open-cut gold mine and home to a thriving town. Today, the area offers picturesque walking tracks and picnic sites.
4. Taste Echuca Moama’s best dining options
Taste delicious, authentic Greek at Opa. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Whether you like a candlelit dinner or a coffee in the sunshine, Echuca Moama is ready to delight your taste buds.
Pop into Opa for authentic Greek fare with views of the town from its upstairs balcony. Enjoy seasonal produce at The Mill , offering everything from global street food and share plates to classic dinner and dessert options inside a historic building.
Discover a local secret at Monkee and Co , a relaxed Asian-fusion restaurant serving up classics like Banh Mi and dumplings.
Start the day with excellent coffee and waterfront views at the family-run Watson St Pavilion .
5. Drink at Echuca Moama’s best bars
Cheers to neon at Paradise Bar.
Top-notch tipples can be found at Paradise Bar , a new cocktail bar serving up handcrafted cocktails to delight the taste buds in the heart of Echuca. The menu features classics like mojitos, margs, and spritzers. As well as Paradise’s own creations featuring funky ingredients like bubble gum syrup and an Old Fashioned with truffle oil.
Bar Lee at the Echuca Distillery is the place to go to watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar, taste Echuca’s locally made spirits and nibble your way through an exceptional selection of share plates.
For river views, excellent service and a more than extensive wine menu, head to Social Wine Bar . You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the riverfront beer garden that sprawls out under an ancient pine tree and a cosy interior perfect for hiding away on a cool evening.
6. Follow local art trails
Jump in the car and follow the Silo Art Trail.
The region’s silos have been transformed into impressive, towering canvases depicting local fauna, Echuca’s historical links to industry and the building of the local railroad. Follow the Silo Art Trail by car, which takes between three and four hours.
Rochester Mural Park is home to an annual lineup of changing murals, while the Rochester Mural Festival showcases established and emerging artists.
7. Dive into local history
See the historic Port of Echuca.
The Echuca Moama region is bursting with history. Among its historical treasures is the Port of Echuca . Interactive displays showcase the port’s importance to historical trade along the river, industrial sites like the Evans Brothers Sawmill and the Port of Echuca railway station with its very own heritage steam train.
The displays pay homage to the site’s significance to the local Yorta Yorta People and their ancestral connection to the land where the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers meet.
Explore the port independently or join a guided tour to learn from Echuca’s history buffs.
