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Just a half-hour drive north of the city, the green hills of Murrumbateman, Gundaroo, and Yass make up the Canberra wine region, where boutique wineries and cellar doors offer vineyard strolls and wine tasting. Some of Canberra’s best camping sites lie here, where you can pitch your tent in the hills, cool off with a dip in a natural swimming hole, then tuck into a BBQ around the campfire.
Canberra is encircled by nature reserves, where you can roam along woodland trails, swim in freshwater creeks, and spot wild kangaroos hopping through the bushlands. Popular getaways from the city include Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just southwest of the city; Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve to the north; and Kowen Forest to the east.
Canberra’s distinct seasons mean that the city’s landscapes are ever changing—autumnal leaves blanket the hillsides with shades of red, orange, and gold, while the mountaintops are dusted with snow in winter. The best time for camping trips, bushwalking, and outdoor activities is from September through May, but the region is busiest in summer (December through February), when it’s best to book camping grounds in advance.
Located at the end of the Snowy Mountains Highway and surrounded by breathtaking views, Tantangara Dam is a great place to visit for hiking and water sports.