Full of surprises

History, balloons, glass making and spooks — Canberra has all this and more, Philip Lee discovers

Canberra, which lies slightly inland and south of bustling Sydney, has more spunk and spirit than its sedate air as Australia’s capital city might suggest.

It is the ideal place to experience history, culture, adventure and the lure of the wild in New South Wales. And savour some spooky moments as well.

But the first must-do activities which have great historical and cultural richness are visits to the National Museum of Australia (www.nma.gov.au) and the Australian War Memorial (www.visitwarmemorial.com.au).

At the museum in Acton, you will take a trip back in time to learn about this country’s 50,000 years of indigenous heritage, its beginnings as a penal settlement in 1788 as well as relive key Australian events, including the time it gained federation status and when it hosted the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The exhibits are so good that the museum won the Best Major Tourist Attraction Awards in 2005 and 2006. Essentially, the exhibits tell the stories of Australia and Australians.

There are multimedia displays, live performances, hands-on activities and guided tours. In a “Back to the Future” section, you can design a flying car and see it come to life at Kspace — an interactive exhibit with a 3D theatre.

The war memorial in Treloar Crescent has exhibits which tell stories of Australians at war and in peacekeeping activities. The galleries present relics, artworks, photographs and personal items of soldiers. In the Hall of Memory, together with the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, are the names of 102,000 servicemen and women who died in wars.

Next, experience something which is moving in a different way. Take a tour of haunted places in the city. Make a booking for the popular Weird Canberra Ghost & History Tour (www.destinytours.com.au/canberra.htm).

The man in the centre of this excursion is Tim the Yowie Man, a celebrated cryptonaturalist whose humour and knowledge of haunted places and buildings have left lasting memories among those who have met him.

Tim will take you to ghost-infested spots in an appropriate vehicle — a hearse.

The other experience would be the hot-air balloon flights over the city at dawn operated by trained pilots from Balloons Aloft or Dawn Drifters. The flight later touches down by a lake where champagne is served to end this heady outing (www.canberraballoons.com.au or www.dawndrifters.com.au).

The kids will love the Walk on the Wild Side experience at the National Zoo and Aquarium (www.nationalzoo.com.au). Here, they will enjoy interactive encounters with animals. They can feed the giraffes or sharks, and even weigh a lion.

If you happen to be in Canberra between April 12 and 20, catch the Canberra Balloon Fiesta (www.balloonfiesta.com.au). About 60 colourful balloons from Australia and overseas will take off from the lawns each day in front of Old Parliament House.

I like the visit to Canberra Glassworks (www.canberraglassworks.com). Glass art has always fascinated me since the time I watched Murano glass blowers do their magic in Venice, Italy, years ago.

At Canberra Glassworks, artists will give you introductory lessons in glass making and you can later watch artisans at work.

It is also fun to go on a helicopter flight in the countryside and hover over Lake George and other scenic spots. Aquila Helicopters (www.aquilahelicopters.com.au) has a range of tours to places as far as the South Coast of New South Wales.

This would be a great way to end your visit — see the beautiful sweep of the country from the air.

For more information on Canberra, visit www.visitcanberra.com.au and www.australia.com