Canberra Day 2016

By Jemma Mrdak.

Canberra Day, for most Canberrans, is a day off work held on the second Monday in March each year. However, for those who aren’t familiar with the history of Canberra, the reason we get this long weekend is because we are celebrating the official naming of Canberra. Canberra was named at a ceremony on March 12, 1913 by Lady Denman, the wife of the then Governor General Lord Denman.

Now that you’re up to scratch with the history of this favoured public holiday, let’s take a look at how you could spend this day off in Canberra.

Hire a bike from QT Canberra and spend the day cruising around on two wheels. Start your journey at the front of the hotel and venture onto Commonwealth Bridge and into the museums and galleries district. Here you will find the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, The National Library, Old Parliament House and the National Carillon. Either bring a picnic lunch or stop at one of the many museum cafes and restaurants. Weather permitting; you could really make a day out of it as you explore the start of autumn around Lake Burley Griffin.

A photo posted by @qtcanberra on Jan 18, 2016 at 6:13pm PST

Whilst travelling around the lake, we recommend giving SUPing a go. Never heard of it? SUP’ing is Stand Up Paddle boarding and has only just become a thing in Canberra. SUP’s are available for hire at the YMCA Aquatic Recreation Centre on Yarralumla Bay. And did we mention that it’s known to improve core strength and balance? #EndOfSummerBod

A photo posted by Pete Garbutt (@pete_garbutt) on Jul 31, 2015 at 3:45am PDT