A portrait of
Canberra
WORDS BY DORIAN MODE. PHOTOGRAPHY LYDIA THORPE A by Adina lobby
Canberra is mostly associated with pollies and public servants. But it’s a relatively short drive (or train ride) to what feels like Australia’s Washington D.C. We love the place. But a heads up! The Canberra CBD is now a, surprise, 40–Zone. Yep. My chum Madge – who retired from down Canberra way – was caught recently. $301. Ouch! (Not sure what the $1 is for.) Needless to say, unsuspecting Sydney siders are particularly susceptible to this speed trap if driving there. Anyhoo, for this sojourn, we are staying at A by Adina. Perched on the famous Parliamentary Triangle at Lake Burley Griffin, it’s only a short scenic drive to museums and galleries but located on the quiet side of the Canberra CBD. The new 12–storey building is daunting, resembling Darth Vader’s Helmet. But this infusion of hip design and architecture takes the low service apartment hotel concept to a new high. Our room is stylishly kitted out with muted lighting and Japanese aesthetics, with secret sliding doors, pillow menus and firm but comfy king beds. We also love the curved floor to ceiling windows, waterfall shower and fully equipped kitchenette. It’s a bit of a theme in this column that with a small kitchen, you
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ON T H E C OA S T – OVER 5 5
can save some coin by cooking or eating your takeaway in the accom, therefore spending more on your accom. And if your hotel room is as glamorous as A by Adina, why eat out every night? We also like the ‘parking memory’ whereby you simply drive out of the underground parking and clever number–plate recognition technology allows you in and out at your leisure. No fumbling with cards.
Canberra Street art
On our first night, it’s such a glorious evening, we simply stroll to Canberra’s CBD (8mins). Walking along we note electric scooters dropped in the street everywhere in Canberra. It’s like a neutron bomb has detonated. I guess they are for hire but we lament it feels symptomatic of a disposable society, somehow. We stroll past the Telsa Showroom (very Canberra) and listen to street buskers and generally For seniors training it, the regular absorb the vibe. We note the service from Sydney to Canberra is via public buses have bike–racks mounted to the front of the NSW TrainLink Explorer service. The them. Being relatively full fare one way for adults is $52.00. The flat, like Amsterdam, one–way fare for Seniors cardholders is $26.00. Canberra is a bike– The comfort and service aboard the train are friendly city. We stroll decent. Hot meals from the buffet are rather good back to A by Adina to with some meals less than ten dollars. grab some takeaway But there is a cheaper way for Seniors Card holders from the ramen from Sydney to Canberra for just $5, though it’s a noodle house located little more stuffing around via Goulburn. Call NSW in the laneway behind TrainLink on 13 22 32 for a chinwag about it. our accommodation to
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