1 October 2014

There's more to Canberra than Floriade

| Krystal Sanders
Join the conversation
9
canberra

So I’m a Canberra newbie, having just officially survived my first winter. I’m even starting to consider myself a Canberran and find myself fiercely promoting it to all of my friends and family back home. When contemplating the big move from the coast of Western Australia; I asked a few people that I knew that already lived or had lived in Canberra about what kind of things I can expect from the nation’s capital. Cue the jokes about how there’s nothing to do, the freezing temperatures and the amount of public servants. And I’m not kidding- that’s what I was told. But mostly it was all tongue in cheek. The one thing that’s always added to the end of any Canberra sell is “Oh and well we’ve got Floriade”. Having never heard of Floriade this seemed a rather strange concept to me. A whole month of flower displays can bring in a whopping crowd of 450,000 visitors far and wide, tourists, media not just our local surrounds but also from across the world to see?

So, I set off to investigate this phenomenon myself.

True to the rumours it’s a feast for the eyes, and all of your senses at once. A load of activities happening at once from live music to workshops, to plenty of things for the kids to do. Positively engaging if I could sum it up in two words. AND entry is FREE! Alost unheard of these days.

I have also recently learnt that Nightfest (though not free) was actually voted as the top event that Canberrans love. And this got me thinking, this is an event that really is uniquely Canberra. Canberra can offer these very different community experiences that you just don’t get to be part of in other cities. Regardless of its transient nature, the capital is one very tight knit, big warm hug.

So I thought next time; before you are asked and the word Floriade simply rolls of your tongue, I thought I’d point out a couple of other great uniquely Canberra experiences I’ve had in my short time here: (and still too many to mention)

The War Memorial. A building that houses some of our proudest and most emotionally stirring moments in our history, yet in my travels I’ve been hard pressed to find a truly local Canberran that had been in the last couple of years, or even ever! I find this so surprising when it’s only a gold coin donation to get in, it could be a full day of activity for a family and a seriously amazing building.

The weather. Yes, winter is absolutely freezing. Coming from Western Australia where the days certainly might be warmer, I think we are so lucky to have so many days in winter where the sun is shining and it’s not even raining. Perth has storm after storm and sideways rain that really ruins your ensemble when your Umbrella is inside out. In fact my visit only on the weekend proved this with 24 hours of rain so much so you don’t even want to leave your house. Canberra? Nothings holding us back from a night out in Civic, pop on a coat and you’re good to go!

The community vibe. Given the large demographic group of 30 something’s in Canberra I have personally found it easy to make new friends. I’ve been lucky enough to join some groups in town, specifically Meetup groups which are hugely popular and active in our community. The great thing is, everyone is looking to make friends or expand their networking circle. I’ve always said it’s like dating for friends. But it’s also a great way to get our and date this great city, try a new restaurant or punish yourself for the first time walking up Mount Ainslie!

My point is, having known absolutely nothing about Canberra until just before I moved here. I think this place is really sold short. It’s a great kept secret- that I’m only too happy to keep exploring.

Join the conversation

9
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Holden Caulfield said :

Well said Krystal. And thank you for giving this great city a go.
Just don’t tell too many outsiders about it!

astrojax said :

sssshhhhhhh… everyone will wanna come.

I like Canberra because it acts as a sort of filter against most low-brow, whinging types who require instant gratification on a continual basis. When someone complains that “… Canberra is soooo boring,” I stay grateful to Sigmund Freud for making public his findings on parapraxis.

HenryBG said :

Jivrashia said :

The community vibe
Canberrans are a bit more sociable.

I can’t believe I just read that.
*Only* somebody who has never lived anywhere else could possibly think this.

Well… my comparison is Sydney and Melbourne…
Also I’m a firm believer in getting out what you put in. Smile and you might get a smile back.

HenryBG said :

You are probably thinking of the word, “sombre”, but I completely disagree with that assessment as the AWM is very vibrant with some incredible staff who achieve some truly brilliant displays.

“sombre” – I blame this Yankware.
I’m vigilant with keeping my honoUrable ‘U’s and localiZe the choice between ‘Z’s and ‘S’s. But I have lost the sombER argument on ‘RE’s.

So I said sombre, since I associated AWM with paying respect. But I take you point.

dungfungus said :

“Vibrant” is a word that should not be associated with a memorial of any kind.

I think the poster was referring to the visual aspect, as opposed to any disrespectful racket inside the war memorial?

HenryBG said :

Jivrashia said :

The community vibe
Canberrans are a bit more sociable.

I can’t believe I just read that.

*Only* somebody who has never lived anywhere else could possibly think this.

Jivrashia said :

The War Memorial.
A respectable building. But it’s a very somber affair.

You are probably thinking of the word, “sombre”, but I completely disagree with that assessment as the AWM is very vibrant with some incredible staff who achieve some truly brilliant displays.
True, the memorial part of the AWM isn’t as light and airy as the memorial at Runnymede for example, but it is absolutely one of the best museums in the world.

“Vibrant” is a word that should not be associated with a memorial of any kind.

Jivrashia said :

The community vibe
Canberrans are a bit more sociable.

I can’t believe I just read that.

*Only* somebody who has never lived anywhere else could possibly think this.

Jivrashia said :

The War Memorial.
A respectable building. But it’s a very somber affair.

You are probably thinking of the word, “sombre”, but I completely disagree with that assessment as the AWM is very vibrant with some incredible staff who achieve some truly brilliant displays.
True, the memorial part of the AWM isn’t as light and airy as the memorial at Runnymede for example, but it is absolutely one of the best museums in the world.

Grrrr said :

I always thought it was because we’re at 600m and regardless of location on the Aus mainland, it’s rarely cold enough for snow to fall below ~1000m.

Agree that 600m is a bit low to turn Canberra into a snow town, but it would have warranted a couple of days of snow over winter (e.g. weather reports of snow at 500m).
Also, I think the ranges prevents the really cold weather from moving in from the snowy, due to the nature of cold air staying low and stuff.

If someone was to blast a gap in the ranges you could be potentially skiing from your front door.
Not that I’m suggesting that someone does this… hint?

Jivrashia said :

After a bit of research I found out that the peaks of Brindabella do not allow snow clouds to come over them, hence snow falls on the other side, but none on the Canberra side..

I always thought it was because we’re at 600m and regardless of location on the Aus mainland, it’s rarely cold enough for snow to fall below ~1000m. Canberra has had “snow”, what, 3 times in the last decade? I seem to recall it actually being cold enough to settle a bit one time about 8 or 9 years back.

Also, because the air temperature is only below freezing (IE snow weather) on nights when there’s no cloud cover that means no rain / snow.

On the upside, arriving at the Ski fields isn’t the shock it can be when living in a warmer city. And the slopes being close enough for day trips sure doesn’t hurt, especially when the season is decent like this year’s ..

astrojax said :

i always put ‘climate’ as one of the great appeals of the city

Agree. But…
With Canberra’s freezing temps I would have imagined that snow would be warranted.
After a bit of research I found out that the peaks of Brindabella do not allow snow clouds to come over them, hence snow falls on the other side, but none on the Canberra side. Goddamyou Mother Nature.

Cue the jokes about how there’s nothing to do, the freezing temperatures and the amount of public servants. But mostly it was all tongue in cheek.
The inside of my cheek itches from time to time – it wasn’t supposed to be taken as a surreptitious message….

The War Memorial.
A respectable building. But it’s a very somber affair.

The weather.
Dry is good for laundry and safe commuting. But very bad for the garden and bushfire.

The community vibe
Canberrans are a bit more sociable. I think it’s because they’re a bit more time-rich than people of other cities. Now that’s one way to measure the health of your life – leisure time.
If you go and join groups and clubs you’re bound to find potential friends.

sssshhhhhhh… everyone will wanna come.

i must say, that as almost-a-local (here since ’87) i always put ‘climate’ as one of the great appeals of the city – sunniest capital city in the nation, and about the only one (mebbe hobart?) to have four genuine seasons.

Holden Caulfield1:00 pm 02 Oct 14

Well said Krystal. And thank you for giving this great city a go.

Just don’t tell too many outsiders about it!

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.