Why Canberra Is The Quiet Luxury Capital You Didn’t See Coming
Discover how Australia’s most understated city offers cultural indulgence, serene landscapes, and quiet moments of luxe calm
As someone who’s visited Australia often, I’ll admit it — my itinerary usually leans heavily on Sydney and Melbourne. They’re easy to reach from Mumbai, offer all the vacation staples (beaches, brilliant restaurants, blue skies), and hold the title of Australia’s most celebrated cities. But this time — thanks to an invitation from Visit Canberra — I added a new destination to the list. And honestly, it might just be my favourite yet.
Canberra, the country’s capital, is a masterclass in balance. Just a one-hour flight or a three or seven-hour road trip from either Sydney or Melbourne, it delivers rich culture, immersive nature, and the kind of precision-planned architecture that feels both intentional and inspiring. From the top of Mount Ainslie, the city unfolds like a perfectly designed postcard — modern, lush, and quietly powerful.
We landed early via Sydney, and my first experience was a scenic, slow-glide across Lake Burley Griffin on the charmingly named Love Boat. These self-driven electric boats (easy enough for beginners) let you explore the calm waters at your own pace. I was lucky to be accompanied by the owner, who pointed out Canberra’s greatest hits from the water — Parliament House, the chiming National Carillon, the National Museum of Australia, and my personal favourite, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, shooting 482 feet into the air with theatrical flair.
Canberra feels like a pause. As a city girl, I often fantasise about places where life moves gently. No honking, no haze, just space to breathe. This was that fantasy — realised.
Our next stop, a short twenty-minute drive away, was the Jamala Wildlife Lodge, nestled within the National Zoo and Aquarium. Canberra is uniquely efficient like that — nature, architecture, and luxury never feel more than a moment away. Designed by Chicagoan architect Walter Burley Griffin, the city’s symmetrical layout is both orderly and organically integrated with the landscape.
At Jamala, I stayed in one of the Giraffe Treehouses — six African-inspired suites that sit within a private enclosure shared with Skye and Khamisi, the resident giraffes. From the balcony, I could feed them or just watch them wander. The view stretched to the Molonglo River and Scrivener Dam while deer and alpacas casually passed by. The zoo offers intimate, guided encounters with tigers, lions, kangaroos and more — but what struck me most was the quiet respect shown toward the animals. There was no forced interaction, just mutual curiosity.
Day two was for indulgence. Van Du Vin hosted a private wine tour through the cool-climate wineries of the Canberra District, which boasts over 140 vineyards and 40 cellar doors just 30 minutes from the city centre. My guide, Laura, introduced me to the concept of terroir — a French word describing the environmental factors that shape a wine’s flavour and soul.
We visited Brindabella Hills Winery and Clonakilla Wines, and I left with a new favourite: Riesling. Fruity, fresh, and with just the right acidity (a hallmark of Australia’s cooler wine regions), it was my idea of a perfect afternoon sip. Lunch was at Four Winds Vineyard, where we shared wood-fired pizzas among the vines — proof that great wine pairs best with comfort food. The day ended at Murrumbateman Chocolate Co, home to the award-winning Sweet Pea & Poppy brand, where I tried my hand at chocolate-making.
That evening, I checked into the century-old Hyatt Hotel Canberra – A Park Hyatt Hotel, a heritage gem whose architecture and service nod to timeless elegance. And then came dinner at Lunetta Trattoria, perched inside an iconic modernist structure on Red Hill. As the sun set over the city, we tucked into pumpkin arancini, smoky wood-fired flatbreads, and a rich Lumache alla Vodka with Nduja that deserved a moment of silence. The crescent moon-shaped tiramisu? Worth the trip alone.
My final day was meant to begin with a hot air balloon ride — a picture-perfect way to see the capital — but a tropical cyclone on the east coast grounded our plans. Still, the day’s cultural offerings didn’t disappoint.
A private tour of Parliament House began in the morning. From the grandeur of the Great Hall to the stillness of the Senate chamber, every room held a story. Outside, the sweeping views down the land axis — from Parliament to the Australian War Memorial — reminded me of just how intentional Canberra’s beauty really is.
Next came the National Gallery of Australia, home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. From the immersive James Turrell Skyspace to the meditative stillness of Lindy Lee’s Ouroboros, the gallery’s sculpture garden invites reflection and awe in equal measure.
To close out the trip, I returned to the Hyatt for Afternoon High Tea — a quiet indulgence in the hotel’s heritage lounge, with views over the manicured gardens. As I sipped my Earl Grey and bit into a rose-scented pastry, I thought: Canberra doesn’t demand your attention — it earns it. And sometimes, that’s the greatest luxury of all.
Ancient Country, Inspired Wines: the terroir and winemaking of the Canberra District wine region
This lesser known wine region is located just outside Australia’s capital and produces great Riesling and Shiraz
“With support from Visit Canberra, the wonderful Emma Shaw teamed up with the exceptional local filmmaker Sammy Hawker, and together they have produced a beautiful film on the Canberra District, its history, its people, its unique terroir and its outstanding wines.
Ancient Country, Inspired Wines: the terroir and winemaking of the Canberra District wine region”
Australia’s Hidden Wine Gem: Canberra District
By Amber Gibson
This lesser known wine region is located just outside Australia’s capital and produces great Riesling and Shiraz
“Canberra is off the beaten path when it comes to wine regions, even for Australians. After a brief flirtation with winemaking in the 19th century, the region was dormant until 1971, when CSIRO scientists (basically the Australian equivalent of the US Geological Survey), inspired by what they discovered about terroir, vineyard location, and grape variety, planted vines.. Over the past 50 years, Canberra has attracted vintners and winemakers interested in experimenting with cool climate varieties, with a particular focus on Riesling and Shiraz.. The district is home to more than 140 wineries within 35 minutes’ drive from the city center, as well as 35 cellar doors open to the public. You’d be hard-pressed to find any of these wines outside of New South Wales.”
Distilleries, Wineries and Restaurants – Canberra Has Them All
By Alexandra Carlton
The Canberra District has more than 35 cellar doors. Better stay awhile.
“What I love about Canberra wineries is that they’re all boutique,” says Laura Jallier, a guide with Van du Vin, which offers a range of wine tours. “A lot of them still operate out of tin sheds.” The district’s cellar doors are the kind where you can have a tasting, a chinwag with the winemaker and a plate of local cheese or charcuterie for under $20. “Around here,” says Jallier, “people are all about the wines, the terroir and connection.”
Here’s How To Spend The Ultimate Winter Weekend In Canberra
By Sammy Preston
With custom itineraries and more than 30 cellar doors to explore, Van Du Vin tours are perfect to take some time to wine down.
“There’s a lot to love about the nation’s capital during the cooler months. Firstly, you can really feel the season, with temps hovering around 12 degrees during the day and dropping to a frosty sub-zero at night. To the west of the city, the Brindabella Ranges twinkle with snow, making for some extra spectacular sunsets at cocktail hour.
Compared to Sydney, Canberra is quiet too—its wide, regal boulevards and motorways feel empty and serene compared to the chaos of Paramatta Road. But don’t mistake the lack of traffic for sleepiness. On Friday and Saturday nights, Canberra’s restaurant scene is heaving, proving this pint-sized city is a foodie’s paradise. The ultra-close Canberra District vineyards are pouring some of the country’s most sought-after Riesling and Shiraz, paired with award-winning cellar door experiences. Then, there are markets, galleries, truffle farms, slick hotels, and plenty of clear country air and spectacular natural scenery to soak up.”
Stop and smell the rosé: treat yourself to a luxury wine tour
By Erin Cross
With custom itineraries and more than 30 cellar doors to explore, Van Du Vin tours are perfect to take some time to wine down.
“Custom wine tours tailored to you? Wine not!
While there’s no denying a cheeky Pinot Gris on a Friday night is a great way to relax and catch up with friends, there’s something about going out and letting someone else take the wheel as you sit back and enjoy the ride.
That’s why Van Du Vin winery tours want to help you to stop and smell the rosé while they make the decisions for the day. Officially launching in 2020 to bring luxury to Canberra’s wine region, Van Du Vin goes further than other wine tours (literally) to some of the lesser-visited wineries around the region, offering an exclusive taste of the Canberra, Murrumbateman and the Lake George regions.”