Home of Australia’s capital city, Canberra, this inland region is surrounded by a boutique cool climate wine making area, small enough to offer meet-the-maker experiences, as well as creative food producers and restaurateurs utilising fresh regional produce. The ACT serves up everything from biodynamic wine to smoked meats, coffee roasters and craft breweries.
The Canberra District wineries are small enough to have an intimate cellar door and meet-the-maker experience, yet large enough to find all the varieties of a premium wine-growing region.
The 140 vineyards are home to more than 30 premium cellar doors that produce distinctive award winning cool climate wines. Sprinkled in all directions around Canberra, the wineries are ideal for visiting on a self drive journey, taking you from Pialligo to the neighbouring wine districts of Hall, Murrumbateman, Bungendore, Wamboin and Lake George.
There’s a lot to love when you sample the ACT’s food scene. Relax in modern cafes and hip eateries, dine on fresh food among gorgeous rural surrounds with mountain views.
List of five best restaurants
1. Poachers Pantry, Hall – this picturesque rural working farm is renowned for its highly coveted smoked meat, the Smokehouse Cafe and its cellar door
2. Aubergine, Canberra – head chef Ben Willis creates celebrated classy, flavour-first food. Modern European in style, it has a good selection of local wine labels
3. Grazing, Gundaroo – using the best of the region’s food and wine, this award-winning venue offers an authentic produce to the plate experience
4. Sage, Canberra – the staff are involved with food production from paddock to plate to establish a real connection and passion for the extraordinary delicious offerings
5. Waters Edge, Canberra – chef Clement Chauvin draws on his extensive experience at Michelin starred restaurants to offer creative, contemporary Australian food
