Taking a ride on an eco-friendly boat, tasting biodynamic wines and enjoying farm-fresh produce is just the beginning of a sustainable weekend in Canberra. The nation’s capital is the perfect destination for travellers looking to reduce their environmental impact while exploring new sights, new tastes and new adventures.
We’ve rounded up some of the best eco-friendly restaurants and drinks providers, sustainable energy events and luxury experiences, as well as accommodation options that focus on preserving the region’s natural beauty. Use it as a guide to Canberra’s iconic attractions and discover the region’s hidden gems – all while preserving the environment.
Canberra’s most popular source of farm-to-table, freezer-ready food and early morning groceries is the ACT Farmers’ Market. Every Saturday from 7am to 11.30am, Exhibition Park will host over 100 local stalls offering everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to flowers, honey, bread, bacon, eggs and baked goods. Explore it all with a cup of coffee in hand and get tips from local producers on sustainable cooking and plant-based gardening.
For second breakfast, head to Sweet Bones Vegan Café and Bakery for another dose of caffeine and sugar. Order a hearty plant-based breakfast or grab some delicious desserts from the snack cabinet. Then head quickly southeast to Pialligo Estate. There’s a café, restaurant, grocery store, vineyard, smokehouse, small farm, and children’s play area. Lunch al fresco and sample farm-grown fruit before taking a tour of the grounds to experience a true paddock-to-table dining experience.
Ready to get your drink on? Start with some eco-friendly malt magic from Capital Brewing Co. The Canberra craft beer giant is moving towards a zero-waste brewery by sending brewing waste to farmers as livestock feed, composting leftovers, minimising water and energy use and eliminating unnecessary packaging. Do your bit for the environment and order a banana-flavoured Belgian lager or a pear and elderflower sour at the Warehouse bar.
If you prefer a more varietal-focused wine list, head to Lark Hill Biodynamic Winery. The wines here have won gold stars in the organic and biodynamic categories, and are also top notch in terms of flavour. People who regularly sample Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir will love this high-altitude winery, located in the hills above Canberra, where shale and clay soils allow these hardy grapes to thrive. Book a tasting for $10 per person by the open fire in the cosy cellar door to sample some of the full-bodied whites and deep cherry-coloured wines.
Reconnect with nature while enjoying the luxury of self-care at Jindii Eco Spa. Tucked away in the vibrant Australian National Botanic Gardens, this dreamy resort offers spa treatments using locally sourced, wildcrafted ingredients and Aboriginal knowledge. Relax with massages and mineral baths, and let botanicals like lemon myrtle, white flannel flowers and banksia seeds nourish your skin as expert therapists ease the tension from your tired muscles. After a stroll through the gardens, recharge with a quick shopping spree and a few products from the spa’s signature skincare range.
A fun way to explore Canberra is by e-scooter. You may have tragic childhood memories of flipping your scooter, but these e-scooters are much easier and safer to ride. You can visit Lake Burley Griffin and find the famous pop-up pub The Pop Inn, which moves its wine and pizza hall to new locations in the capital almost every weekend. E-scooters can be rented from Canberra Visitor Centres and the Regional Visitor Centre for $15 for one hour and $25 for two hours, or booked through Beam and Neuron’s own scooter apps.
Want to head out on the lake? GoBoat offers eco-friendly electric boats that can carry up to eight pirates (and sailing dogs) around Lake Burley Griffin. You’ll be the captain of your own boat. Driving is easy and requires no experience or even a driver’s license, but the captain must be at least 18 years old. Passengers are encouraged to bring a pre-packed picnic and pack in moderation, but GoBoat can also provide snacks from the on-site Bean & Table restaurant.
If you’ve got energy left for something else, try climbing Mount Kingla, located on the western border of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in Namadgi National Park. If you’re willing to tackle the entire 15km hike from the car park, it’s a steep but stunning hike with endless mountain views from the top. There are shorter routes to choose from in the area, and the carefully managed park offers plenty of opportunities to spot native birds and frogs. Be aware that this peak can be covered in snow in the dead of winter.
Canberra is a place where you can truly escape the stresses of life while still maintaining your elegance. Naked Cubby Co’s bell tents offer luxurious mattresses and linens, as well as breakfast in bed and easy access to the Mount Majura Vineyard cellar door. All this is just 20 minutes’ drive from Canberra’s CBD. You can choose between solar-powered glamping tents nestled among the vines and tiny houses on wheels next to a pine forest.
Nil Desperandum is a traditional lodge nestled at the foot of the Tidbinbilla Ranges. The facilities here are also basic, but the natural scenery is world-class. You’ll need a four-wheel drive to cover the last 45 minutes from central Canberra, but intrepid explorers in smaller city cars can walk the last six kilometres along a dirt road. This charming two-bedroom cottage has solar lighting, a kitchen with a wood-burning stove, a floor-to-ceiling toilet, and a balcony and fenced yard where you can spend evenings cooking on the gas barbecue and relaxing by the fire. Just remember to bring your own firewood. Also note that there’s limited cell phone coverage and no power outlets, so you’ll need to be fairly self-sufficient to spend a night or two in the reserve.
Alternatively, you can stay in the city and enjoy all the modern amenities you love at Ovolo Nishi. Despite being ‘plugged in’ in the CBD, this hotel has a strong commitment to sustainability and nature. Vintage furniture and artwork in each room are crafted from materials like clay, cork, reclaimed eucalyptus wood and natural fibres, while the soaring atrium rooms open out onto a courtyard planted with reclaimed Tasmanian tree ferns. The Monster Kitchen and Bar restaurants are also focusing on sustainability, with a 100% vegan menu featuring locally sourced seasonal ingredients set to debut next year.
Discover more things to do in Canberra and start planning your next trip to the city with VisitCanberra.