Here’s why families shouldn’t skip Canberra when traveling to Australia

AUSTRALIA’S capital city of Canberra may not have Melbourne’s hip cafés or Sydney’s coastal vibe, but it’s quickly and surely becoming a popular tourist destination for families with kids who want the complete Australian experience.

National Gallery of Australia

Canberra is home to the National Gallery of Australia, the national art museum and one of the biggest in the county. The gallery holds over 150,000 works of art, which means you can easily make a day of it here.

Discover the history and appreciate the aesthetics of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, some of the oldest and richest in human history. Later this year, look forward to Versailles: Treasures from the Palace, where the gallery works with the French government to document an integral part of French history.

Questacon

If traveling with kids, a must is Questacon, an interactive science and technology center. The little ones can explore the effects of gravity on a free-fall slide or try the 360-degree standing swing.

There are also exhibits devoted to hurricanes and lightning, or kids can sit in a makeshift room and feel the force of a replica earthquake. Interactive demonstrations and live talks on subjects like the solar system provide an alternative method to learn about the universe we live in.

Also look out for scheduled sessions on topics like dinosaurs, rockets and predators. Science has never been this fun.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is an impressive space where visitors can view an extensive collection of photographs and paintings of iconic Australians. The gallery serves as an educational one-stop shop for visitors to learn about the contributions of some of Australia’s most prominent figures.

The gallery’s permanent collection – open daily – comprises of 450 portraits that tell extraordinary stories of exploration and achievement in Australia. On rotation are intriguing exhibitions featuring the likes of George Miller, Arthur Boyd and Dame Roma Mitchell.

National Zoo & Aquarium

Kids will go wild at the National Zoo & Aquarium, home to a vast range of rare and exotic animals. Jungle animals are trained and kept fairly close to the visitors’ bay. Watch a lion roar, snap photos of otters weaving in and out of water when being fed, or meet a brown bear.

Visitors also have the opportunity to meet a cheetah, hand-feed a giraffe, feel a python glide over their skin, or pat a friendly rhino. Other animals on display include cougars, lemurs, red pandas and Malaysian sun bears.

Where to stay…

Crowne Plaza Canberra

Crowne Plaza Canberra is located in the heart of the central business district and is close to some of the city’s best attractions, shopping, restaurants, cafés and bars.

The hotel’s Deluxe Suites are perfect for families. These relaxed apartment-style accommodations offer a spacious living area, kitchenette, lounge room and ensuite bathroom. Selected suites look out on the historic Glebe Park.

The hotel’s proximity to many arts and culture attractions is also a bonus for families with kids. A seven-minute drive away is the National Gallery of Australia, while the National Portrait Gallery is also within easy reach.

There is also plenty for kids to do at the hotel. During school holidays the younger ones can have fun at the Kids Corner, which is stocked with games, toys, crafts and kid-friendly movies.

But at the Crowne Plaza Canberra it’s not only families that can enjoy the capital. Business travelers looking to take in the sites during their free time are also warmly welcomed and very well catered for. Read our full review…

Jamala Wildlife Lodge

This unique wildlife-themed hotel is the ultimate overnight safari experience. Jamala allows its residents to get up close and personal with some of the zoo’s furry creatures. Whether you’re bathing beside a bear, feeding a giraffe from your own balcony, or eating a meal with a lion, the lodge provides for a memorable experience, especially when traveling with kids.

In the luxurious Jungle Bungalow, there’s only a glass wall that separates guests from lions, sun bears, cheetahs and tigers. Meanwhile, the Giraffe Treehouses offers guests the rare privilege of waking up to the sight of these majestic creatures.

The Little National

The Little National is a sleek option for families with kids. Located in the heart of Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, the hotel is close to some of the city’s most-loved sights and attractions.

All 120 rooms are minimalist, but well stocked with basic amenities, WiFi, a Nespresso coffee machine and Foxtel cable service. Room aesthetics play with clean, white lines and dark timber to create an unfussy, modern look.

The Little National knocks it out of the park with its facilities. The 24-hour lounge and library is a peaceful sanctuary of mood lighting and cozy fireplaces; Mudd the Spa is great for rejuvenating facials and massages; and Kundalini Hair is a modern salon paired with a relaxed, friendly environment.

For a nutritious breakfast for the whole family, Maple + Clove is a wholefoods café offering green smoothies and a range of Aussie-style brunch dishes.

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Source: travelwireasia.com