By Rama Gaind.
Take your pick from the ski resorts in the Snowy Mountains.
You can make your dream adventure a reality for less and enjoy Australia the way you like to … as the chill sets in. Cosy winter experiences in Canberra, snow-capped mountain adventures or truffle hunting. Do it your way.
While there’s a great city break to be had in the nation’s capital, a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Canberra could see you carving it up at Thredbo or Perisher. Don’t be tempted to stay indoors because this year it’s all about getting out and exploring everything that’s on offer in the cooler months.
Play in the snow at Corin Forest. Snowball fights, toboggan rides and endless snow angels. You will be channelling your inner child in a winter wonderland.
With entry to the Snowplay area and toboggan hire being affordable, a visit to this alpine resort is an unforgettable experience. Access to the slopes is available for a half-day and there’s also a cost with gear hire. The resort does offer group and private training sessions for newbies of all ages.
Hot chocolate and cosying up to the fire will definitely be on your mind after all of that action. Luckily, Corin Forest has a cafe with an open fire where you can roast marshmallows and enjoy delicious woodfired pizza.
Hunting for truffles is one ingredient that’s on the radar of many people come winter. It’s an irresistible flavour that can take a meal to the next level. You can get the full truffle experience at The Truffle Farm.
Soar on high in a balloon to see the sights of Canberra.
Throughout truffle season — from late May to early September — the farm runs interactive truffle hunting experiences. You’ll follow truffle hunting dogs through the forest of over 6,000 oak and hazelnut trees in pursuit of the black treasures. If you sign up for the degustation option, the hunt will be followed by a decadent six-course feast prepared right in front of you in the truffle shed — featuring truffles in each dish, of course.
Get a dose of culture, and at the same time escape the cold, as you get snug with groundbreaking art. That’s when you visit the National Museum of Australia for a new art experience celebrating the spirit of Indigenous Australia. Connection: Songlines from Australia’s First Nations Peoples (until 9 October) is a spectacular, first-of-its-kind experience that simply cannot be missed.
If you visit before July 17, you’ll be able to check out Shakespeare to Winehouse: Icons from the National Portrait Gallery, London at the National Portrait Gallery. You’ll have the rare opportunity to see portraits of the Beatles, Brontë sisters and Beckham and more.
Memorable times
Take the time to enjoy a leisurely long lunch because a winter escape would not be complete without a trip to a winery. For sweeping views, tasty wine and appetising food, the Brindabella Hills Winery, just 25 kilometres north of the city, is the place to be.
Established in 1986, the winery has aged like fine wine and the premium grape varieties have flourished in the environment. It will be a high-class experience as the winery has won numerous awards for its chardonnay, shiraz, riesling, cabernet and sauvignon blanc-semillon drops.
Play in the snow at Corin Forest.
The vineyard restaurant offers a two-course set menu and features delicious dishes including delicately sous vide chicken. Wine pairings, which you’ll want to partake in to get the full experience, do cost extra.
Experience the thrill of hot air ballooning over Canberra at sunrise. A hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft is an unforgettable way to take in the capital sights while soaring high above closer to the skies. The pre-sunrise wake-up call will prove well worth it once you see the historical and modern architecture and vast greenery of the city from 3,000 feet above the ground. Early morning in Canberra can get pretty chilly during winter, so dress in layers, but once you’re up in the air, it will feel warmer.
What’s this about ‘warm’ trees? Each July, in the oasis of Canberra’s National Arboretum, you’ll find a peculiar sight: a forest of trees wrapped in scarves. The annual Warm Trees installation sees hundreds of volunteers knitting and crocheting one-metre-long ‘scarves’ to bring colour (and a little cosiness) to the trees during July.
There’s also the opportunity to enjoy more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees across the 250-hectare site. The Arboretum is home to a number of bike trails, a nature-inspired playground (that looks like acorns), sculptures dotted throughout the forests and the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, too.
Exploring the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just a 45-minute drive from the city centre, offers remarkable views and will take you through some amazing walks. The reserve also manages conservation programs to assist the recovery of critically endangered wildlife.
Head to Cooma and take your pick from the Snowy Mountain ski resorts and get the adrenaline pumping on Australia’s longest and steepest ski runs. Alternatively, head to Albury for a less than two-hour drive to Falls Creek, which is Victoria’s largest resort offering the perfect terrain for intermediate and beginner skiers.
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