Canberra Secrets Personalised Tours

04/10/2024

Trip to Tidbinbilla with the littlies was very rewarding. Spotted several bandicoots, potoroos, the koala joey, kangaroo joeys and many birds. On the way home we spotted an echidna. Being in nature is so very grounding. Some pics for proof.

24/04/2024

It's been a very exciting week at Commonwealth Park, with the first of the Floriade bulbs being planted! 🥳

Our ACT Government staff and contractors are planting the thousands of bulbs required to create the beautiful displays we know and love, with a variety of flowers including tulips, daffodils and jonquils 🌷

We can’t wait to see them in full bloom at Floriade this year! 🥰

For more information head to https://floriadeaustralia.com/

20/04/2024

It was only meant to be a sketch of St John the Baptist Church, but such was the passion of…

09/12/2023

27/11/2023

When Nick Chapman's wife Belinda was battling cancer, she really wanted two things: a dog and a home of their…

25/11/2023

⭐️CARAVAN & HOLIDAY PARKS ⭐️

Alivio Tourist Park Canberra reflects the heart and soul of Australia's bush capital. Close to the Canberra CBD and iconic attractions, but secluded within a 7-hectare bushland reserve, it marries city convenience with the peace of its natural surrounds.

Guests enjoy resort-style facilities plus amenities not often seen in holiday parks, like a mountain bike workstation and rainfall showers in the shared bathrooms. With an outstanding à la carte restaurant on site that serves signature cocktails and craft beers, there are plenty of reasons to start your next Capital Region adventure at Alivio. Great work Alivio for all that you do in the tourism industry.

25/11/2023

⭐️ CULTURAL TOURISM ⭐️

Located in Australia’s national capital, Canberra, the Royal Australian Mint is the place where Australia’s cultural ‘handheld heritage’ is designed, produced and distributed.

Not only is it an operating factory – the sole supplier of Australia’s circulating coinage – it is also a museum and educational provider, giving visitors an insight into Australia’s currency heritage. The factory-viewing platform provides a rare glimpse into the coin production process, offered at few mints in the world. Visitors can join a free tour, mint their own coin, explore programs and exhibitions, or buy collectibles from the shop. Congratulations to the Royal Australian Mint.

24/11/2023

Congratulations to our wonderful Director Dr Mathew Trinca AM FAHA for winning the ‘Outstanding contribution by an individual’ award at the Canberra Region Tourism Awards last night.

Dr Trinca is an integral player in the Canberra and Region tourism sector. Amongst many other achievements, our Museum was the incubator for the Cultural Icons of Australia campaign, which involved 12 national cultural institutions in a cooperative destination marketing campaign, now in its third year.

During his decade as Director, Dr Trinca has not only grown tourism numbers to the Museum. Through his leadership, the Museum has also been responsible for contributing to the growth of tourist numbers into the ACT.

24/11/2023

Fabulous choice. Well deserved Dot!

⭐️ NATASHA WATSON WOMEN IN TOURISM AWARD ⭐️

Congratulations to Dorothy Barclay, a leader who holds the community and tourism friends close to her heart.

Dot is always there, behind-the-scenes, soldiering on and making things happen, because she strongly supports the Canberra Region and its people. Dot doesn't need to be in the spotlight - she is the quiet achiever, who wears many hats and believes collaboration and caring for one's community both in health and business is critical for the Canberra Region's success. Dot is a leader in so many ways. In everything she does, she is successful. Congratulations Dot on all that you have done and continue to do for the tourism industry.

18/08/2023

So, I made a Canberra Secrets podcast with Genevieve Jacobs from RiotAct. The 83rd anniversary of this Canberra plane crash inspired me to choose this topic for our first podcast.
Please listen and tell me what you think.

In a remote area of pine forest near Canberra Airport, an understated memorial commemorates 10 people killed in a plane…

23/07/2023

My latest article

When the site for the new capital city was selected in 1908, this area was known as the Limestone Plains.…

03/04/2023

Canberra's 'ghost' Graveyard

Alongside (and under) Copland Drive and surrounding streets including possibly part of Sharwood Crescent in Evatt is a historic graveyard with over 18 unmarked graves.

While all the burials, most dating from mid - late 1800s were initially marked, vandalism and deterioration means the location of the graves is no longer known.

Evatt local, Rohan Goyne, is calling for ground penetrating radar/sensing to be called in to help locate the final resting places of these Canberra pioneers so their graves can be marked once again.

One difficulty with this technique is that the graveyard, which extended northwards from the St Paul's church (also gone) has been long forgotten and as such the surface (and no doubt part of the sub-surface) has changed over time. Incredibly, as recent as 2006, a road gang undertaking footpath rehabilitation work in the area set-up their work compound on top of the old graveyard, oblivious to its significance.

Video, photos and full story in my CT column this week.

16/03/2023

Only one more sleep until St Patrick’s Day

02/03/2023

https://fb.watch/i-YqUedYd5/?mibextid=kdkkhi

25/12/2022

The trifle is ready! Happy Christmas everyone. Thank you for your support of over the last six years. And what an exciting journey it has been! Many will be aware that I have stopped the tour component of but am continuing writing - a fourth edition of is on the cards, plus writing for and .canberra.page There will also be downloadable audio tours of Canberra in the not-too-distant future, which is exciting! I’ve also taken a role as a communications consultant with the wonderful so there is plenty happening! Please stay with me on this new journey. Life is like the trifle - full of many different components- many sweet and wonderful! Have a great Christmas and happy, healthy 2023. There is much to give thanks for. ###

18/12/2022

In late December 1951, after a four-week sea journey from Germany, Alfons Lorenz Stuetz arrived in Canberra to begin a…

14/11/2022

03/11/2022

03/11/2022

After so much wet weather, the sun came out for the National Capital Authority’s launch of the new look paddle boats on Lake Burley Griffin this Wednesday, 2 November. The iconic Canberra water vessels have been given a makeover, now sporting designs representing our rich culture, history, and con...

03/11/2022

19/10/2022

The staircase winding to is taking time out for some R&R

15/09/2022

The Proclamation. Such interesting protocol.

11/09/2022

Proclamation of King Charles III. History in the making.

10/09/2022

Scenes from Condolence books, flowers and flags at half mast for the death of Queen Elizabeth II

04/09/2022

My latest article on The Riotact. Enjoy.

Some people seem to be part of everything that is happening in a community. Charles and Jessie Daley fit perfectly…