Canberra has come along way since I first moved here from Queensland in 2010. It’s no longer known as just the hub for Australian politicians and the never-ending roundabouts. There’s a buzzing food and drink scene in Canberra with lots to do and plenty of places to explore. So, next time you visit Australia’s capital city use this locals’ healthy travel guide to help you find ways to keep your taste buds dancing and your body moving.
Amelia Bidgood
Local Press Cafe on the trendy Kingston Foreshore boasts an array of delicious and health conscious dishes. Image © Amelia Bidgood
5 of the Best Cafes in Canberra
Local Press Café | 9/81 Eastlake Parade, Kingston Foreshore, Canberra
Local Press Cafe is set in the trendy Kingston Foreshore and boasts an array of delicious and health conscious options. From the famous green pea pancake to their own cold-pressed juice, dairy-free smoothies and a range of healthy sweets, everything at this café is delicious. They also support some great causes to encourage sustainability. It’s one of my favourite cafes in Canberra and I usually take visitors here for breakfast, brunch or lunch. It does get really busy so try not to go at peak times to avoid the crowd. It’s also near Lake Burley Griffin so you can easily go for a walk or run before or after you eat.
Eighty/Twenty Food in Canberra serves up a menu of 80% healthy food and 20% ‘sometimes’ foods. Image © Eighty/Twenty Food
Eighty/Twenty Food | 1/18 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Situated on Canberra’s little strip of Melbourne, also known as Lonsdale street in Braddon is Eighty/Twenty. They’re opened for breakfast and lunch and promote the balance of eating 80% food that’s good for you and 20% decadent ‘sometimes’ foods. This busy café has lots of delicious options that you can choose to eat in or takeaway. On the menu you’ll find matcha lattes, golden lattes, Acai bowls, Japanese salad bowls, smoothies, organic tea, salmon dishes and more. Eighty/Twenty has you covered and has lots of options for you to choose from. You’ll also find lots of green food on the menu that with give you the energy you need to make the most of your time in Canberra.
Cocowhip has come to Canberra. Grab some at Sweet Bones Cafe. Image © Amelia Bidgood
Sweet Bones Café | Shop 8, 18 Lonsdale Street, Braddon, Canberra
Sweet bones is a funky little vegan, organic café and bakery located rights beside Eighty/Twenty in the suburb of Braddon. It’s a vegan’s definition of heaven! You’ll find amazing cakes, baked goods, burgers, drinks and lots of other yummy options for breakfast and lunch. I love Sweet Bones Café even more now that they’ve recently introduced Cocowhip to Canberrans. I had been waiting for this day for a long time.
Au Lac Royal Vegetarian Cuisine | 4/35-39 Woolley St, Dickson
This restaurant is located in Dickson, alongside lots of other Asian restaurants and it’s always full – you’ll know why after you visit. The legendary Au Lac is considered the ancestral kingdom of the Vietnamese people. So as the names suggests you’ll find a range of Vietnamese and other Asian options on the menu. It’s fresh, tasty and everything is vegetarian. You can get soy duck wraps, spring rolls, beef rendang, laksa, Vietnamese crepes and heaps more. The Vietnamese cannelloni is one of my favourite dishes.
Au Lac Royal serves up clean, fresh and delicious vegetarian Asian cuisine. Image © Au Lac Royal Vegetarian Cuisine
Kagawa Japanese Restaurant | 55 Woolley St, Dickson
If fresh sushi and some yummy cheap Japanese food is what you’re after then you need to check this place out. It’s also located in Dickson and it’s nothing fancy inside but it’s one of the more authentic Japanese restaurants in Canberra. After visiting Japan last year I find it so hard to find Japanese food that compares. Most places in Australia smother sushi in mayonnaise and sweet sauces but not Kagawa. You’ll find a great selection of Japanese cuisine on offer and dinner for two people will set you back about $AUD70. It can get busy so it’s best to book a table.
Stand up paddle boarding on one of Canberra’s waterways is a great way to explore the city. Image © Amelia Bidgood
5 of the Best Activities in Canberra
SUP’ing Caveman | Molonglo Reach Park, Campbell
Get out on the water with The SUP’ing Caveman, Canberra’s original stand up paddle boarding company. The first time I tried SUP was on the Noosa River and although Lake Burley isn’t quite Noosa, being out on the water in Canberra is just as good. Matt from The SUP’ing Caveman teaches groups and individuals in Canberra and is a gun on the board. Book in for either a group booking or a private class with Matt. I’ve been told that going at sunset on a nice day in Canberra is a magnificent treat. You can also try Yoga SUP and if you visit Canberra at the right time of the year you might be lucky enough to watch the balloon festival from the lake.
Work up a sweat at cult functional fitness destination, F45 in Canberra. Image © Amelia Bidgood.
F45 Training | Multiple Locations
Take a class at F45. If you’re feeling a little sluggish and are looking for an intense workout then head to one of Canberra’s F45 studios. You’ll find them in the CBD, Braddon, Phillip, Belconnen and other locations around the nation’s capital. If you’re not familiar with F45 then you can choose from a range of 45-minute HIIT workouts. They’re intense but addictive. Some of the studios offer a 1-2 weeks free trial or you can pay about $28 per session. It’s basically a PT class in a group so be prepared to sweat and possibly be a little sore the next day. No pain, no gain.
The gorgeous, colourful mural at Power Yoga, Canberra. Image © Amelia Bidgood
Power Yoga | Multiple Locations
If you need to stretch it out then you can choose from a range of yoga studios offering different styles in Canberra. I’m a member of Power Yoga so it’s my pick and there’s a studio in Belconnen, Woden and Civic. The room is warmed to about 30 degrees and there’s a range of 60, 75 and 90-minute classes to choose from 7 days a week. They also offer Yin Yoga.
The stunning Booroomba Rocks in Namadgi National Park is well worth the 30-minute hike. Image © Amelia Bidgood
Namadgi National Park | Visitor’s Centre
Take a hike. Literally. Put on your boots, pack your water bottle, some healthy snacks and go hiking when you visit Canberra. There’s a reason it’s known as the bush capital. Canberra is surrounded by mountains and bushland, which means there are so many options for hiking. If you don’t want to venture far out of the city then climb Mt Ainslie where