Canberrans are a lucky bunch when it comes to wintery weekends. However we choose to spend them, it’s near-guaranteed to be under beaut, blue skies filled with gentle sun. We’re spoilt for choice in all things food, the commute to ‘wherever’ is generally done in under 20, and the only ‘um and ah’ is perhaps in deciding on something new to throw into the weekend mix.
Nodding in agreement? – well, give this a crack.
Friday nights at The Old Canberra Inn in Lyneham are about sinking back into Chesterfield sofas, peering at a log fire over misted glasses of stunt beer (a fancy word for novelty/boutique beer) and getting stuck into a plate of gourmet bangers and mash. Under new management, the place is humming with Northside locals, the bulbs glow low, its homely, its genuine and it’s where Saturday rolls on in to the beats and soulful blue rhythms of vinyl DJs.
If you get there early on a Saturday morning, Penny University in Kingston is a yum and crowd-free spot worth perching at. A strong, in-house roasted coffee along with their maple syrup drenched French Croissant Toast is the way to go. Nab a chair and woolly throw out the front in the sun and watch Southsider joggers and their pooches pass by. Come mid-morning, late-to-rise trendy ‘brunchers’ filter in, quickly taking over; and the place is in hot demand for the rest of the day.
Even with a full belly, it’s a short and cheery bike ride from Kingston to Manuka. Within five-ish minutes you can be leaning your bike up against the fence of the Eastlake Tennis Club (technically in Griffith on Flinders Way) and tossing for the first serve in a game of late morning social tennis. For $15/hour, club manager Jonathan, will give non-members access to the courts – all you need is your own racket, balls and a wee competitive streak.
If the clubhouse tap isn’t enough to quench your thirst after a few animated games with mates, get back up on your bike and tootle on back Kingston way where there’s plenty of ciders on tap to pick from.
It’s an easy ride to The Foreshore (Telopea Park road is one long freewheel!) and within 10-15 minutes you can be within the casual, vibey confines of the Walt & Burley bar overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Relatively new, this is a great spot to lounge with drinks, an afternoon snack and watch a televised sports game. Linger for longer and round off the evening with a gastro-pub style meal or wander on up through the gravel car park to Brodburger. A top tip – call ahead and order your preferred burger and bits, the joint is notorious for long wait times.
