Getting high in Canberra

Written by Tim Blight

Writer, traveller, amateur photographer, teacher. Based in Melbourne and Lahore.

November 21, 2015

Getting high in Canberra

Whenever I travel to a new place, I love getting high. And by getting high, I mean getting as high as possible. Luckily, in Canberra, the surrounding forest-covered hills provide the perfect location for such pursuits, far away from the gaze of family and authorities. In fact, Canberra is a veritable Itchycoo Park of opportunities to answer that age old question: “What did you do there?”

Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra

Yep, I’m talking about climbing mountains. Or driving up them. Whatever suits you. Canberra’s impressive, picturesque ‘garden city’ design comes to life from these excellent vintage points.

Mountains around Canberra (Image: Google Maps).

Mountains around Canberra (Image: Google Maps). Click for larger image, and see where I got high!

Take Mount Ainslie for example, our first stop, which provided a perfect view over the Australia War Memorial and across to Parliament House.

Mount Ainslie panorama

Mount Ainslie panorama

Parliament House and Australian War Memorial from Mount Ainslie, Canberra

Parliament House and Australian War Memorial from Mount Ainslie, Canberra

Canberra's CBD (city centre) from Mount Ainslie

Canberra’s CBD (city centre) from Mount Ainslie

Canberra airport from Mount Ainslie

Canberra airport from Mount Ainslie

Mount Ainslie was followed by Black Mountain, home of Canberra’s iconic Telstra Tower.

Telstra Tower, Canberra

Telstra Tower, Canberra

$7.50 takes you to the viewing platform, which gives you the highest view across Canberra to be had while still on the ground.

Panorama of Canberra from Black Mountain

Panorama of Canberra from Black Mountain

Canberra's CBD (city centre) and Lake Burley Griffin seen from Black Mountain

Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin seen from Black Mountain

Further around to the west is the National Arboretum – basically a tree museum – built on a site (and dedicated to the memory of) large tracts of forest and city lost to the 2003 Canberra bushfires.

Panorama of Canberra from the National Arboretum

Panorama of Canberra from the National Arboretum

National Arboretum function centre

National Arboretum function centre

National Arboretum's bonsai garden

National Arboretum’s bonsai garden

The centre includes a bonsai nursery, an interactive exhibit, function centre and coffee shop, along with great views across the city. It’s also built of some pretty impressive architecture.

National Arboretum

View of Canberra and Black Mountain from the National Arboretum

View of Canberra and Black Mountain from the National Arboretum

After the National Arboretum, we headed further west to Mount Stromlo, home to Canberra’s observatory. This was the furthest point from Canberra’s city centre on our day of “getting high”.

Panorama from Mount Stromlo

Panorama from Mount Stromlo

Mount Stromlo observatory

Mount Stromlo observatory

Parts of the observatory complex were destroyed in the 2003 fires, but new telescopes and domes have been built, and the centre is still operational.

Panorama of Canberra from Red Hill

Panorama of Canberra from Red Hill

Finally, back near the city centre lies Red Hill, directly behind parliament house, and providing a great spot to eat either as a picnic spot, or in the form of the delightful On Red restaurant.

Do you like to “get high” when you visit a new city?

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10 Comments

  1. Fay Blight

    Interesting concept Tim particularly using the reference to Itchycoo Park! Loved it.

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      Hahahaha thanks mum – thought you might like that!

      Reply
  2. Andrew

    its all a bit bare for me. lots of good things i hear about canberra but im just not sold

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      It really took me a long time to “get it”, but I’m sold! Part of it was getting over the idea of Canberra being the abode of politicians and nothing more.

      Reply
  3. Agness

    Tim, Canberra looks so peaceful and relaxing. Have you also found it this way? The view of Canberra and Black Mountain from the National Arboretum – so nice!

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      Yes, it’s a lovely city! Lot of places to cycle, explore, go hiking 🙂

      Reply
  4. Anna @ shenANNAgans

    Ahhhhh bless! I sure do live in a pretty city! 🙂
    Next time you come to town, Ill totes get high with you.

    Reply
    • Tim Blight

      Consider it done!! The only thing better than getting high in Canberra is getting high with a friend!!

      Reply

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