A sport lover’s delight
SEE AUSTRALIA’S BEST A visit to Canberra is incomplete without a tour of the Australian Institute of Sport in the northern suburb of Bruce. See some of the nation’s best athletes in action on an inspiring 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour with an elite athlete. You’ll gain an insight into life at the institute as these athletes pursue sporting glory.
Watch the action from the sideline or join in a diverse offering of sporting activities and events in the capital. See elite athletes in action while watching many national sporting championships hosted across the city at first-class sporting venues.
Test your own skills in cricket, rowing, skiing, soccer and more in the fun interactive Sportex exhibition, a popular attraction for all ages. Admission charge.
GET ON YOUR BIKE An extensive network of cycle paths and mountain bike tracks make the capital popular with both recreational and professional cyclists. Even the main roads in Canberra have dedicated green bike lanes.
SPORT
GET ACTIVE Canberra has one of the highest sporting participaton levels in the nation. Golf lovers have a number of options including first-class golf courses, driving ranges and pitch and putt. The courses offer beautiful views of the surrounding bushland, challenging play and competitive rates. Find a course at bestgreens.com.au Want to try something more active? There’s plenty of adventure sports to get your adrenaline pumping, including paragliding, sky diving, abseiling, climbing, caving, canyoning and go-karting. Enquire at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre. Discover the 22 kilometres of equestrian trails surrounding the city on horseback, with riding instruction and trail rides available just 10 minutes from the city centre. Take a trail ride that ambles through bushland and across a breathtaking grazing property and experience the thrill of a sheep muster with Burnelee Excursions on Horseback, part of the Poacher’s Way.
The city’s impressive sporting grounds and venues offer ample opportunities to cheer on your team. Australian Football League: It’s a sea of orange when the GIANTS play at StarTrack Oval in Manuka as part of the 2014 AFL season. Rugby League and Union: Canberra Stadium is the home ground for the Brumbies Rugby Union team (February– May) and the Canberra Raiders Rugby League team (March–August). Cricket: Manuka Oval hosts the Prime Minister’s XI (14 January). Basketball: Cheer on the seven-time WNBL champions, the Canberra Capitals at the AIS Arena (October–March). Baseball: See the Canberra Cavalry, the current Australian Baseball League champions, in action at the Narrabundah Ballpark (October–January). Horse racing: Thoroughbred Park major race days include the Black Opal Stakes & ACTTAB Canberra Cup Race Day (9 March) and the Melbourne Cup Day (4 November).
1. Canberra Raiders, Canberra Stadium | 2. Super Rugby Brumbies, Canberra Stadium | 3. GIANTS, StarTrack Oval Manuka | 4. Canberra Capitals, AIS Arena
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Stromlo Forest Park is Canberra’s ultimate destination for mountain bike lovers, offering a variety of tracks from easy to advanced (double black diamond) standard. There’s even a 2km test track called the Playground where you can
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This world-class multi-use sporting facility, home to the Australian Mountain Bike Championships in March, is available to both recreational and professional users and includes a purpose-built pavilion, criterium cycling circuit (ideal for taking the kids on a leisurely ride), grass cross country running track as well as mountain bike tracks. Find out what events are taking place at stromloforestpark.com.au. Free general admission.
WATCH THE ACTION
Hiring a bike is a great way to see the nation’s attractions. Companies like Capital Bike Hire offer guided mountain bike tours and supply all equipment. Row ‘n’ Ride Bike Hire delivers a variety of bikes to your hotel or designated location while Mr Spokes Bike Hire at Acton along the lake foreshore also hires out standard, tandem and family bikes. Canberra’s inspirational six-time paralympian Michael Milton offers night rides around Lake Burley Griffin plus other options through his fully equipped Big Foot Adventures company.
1. Australian Institute of Sport
test your MTB skills before embarking on the mountain.