Canberra: Cold Snaps & Political Thrills
The Shakedown Trip- Part Five
We rolled on toward Canberra, watching the forested hills give way to wide-open paddocks and that familiar straight-line neatness that only a planned city seems to have.
Canberra felt like a proper gear shift in the trip. After weeks of beaches and small towns, we suddenly had embassies, roundabouts, and a capital skyline to contend with. And for Cameron, the resident politics nerd, it was heaven. Old Parliament House was the big draw, and stepping inside felt like walking into a time capsule. Everything looks like everyone clocked off for the night: papers stacked, rotary phones on desks, ashtrays still in place. It’s strangely intimate, like you’ve snuck into history and no one’s noticed yet.
New Parliament House was a different kind of impressive…big, sweeping, modern, and full of symbolism. We wandered through the public spaces, craning our necks to take in the light wells and the art. We also got some pics with some of our fave PMs
We also spent a morning at the National Museum of Australia, which turned out to be a real highlight. One exhibit traced the history of caravanning in Australia, from retro tow-behinds to early motorhomes that looked more like rolling sheds than holiday rigs. Seeing how far things have come, especially compared to our own moho parked outside, gave us a good laugh. Travel might look different now, but the spirit of “hit the road and hope for the best” hasn’t changed one bit.
We couldn’t resist stopping by the High Court while we were in the neighbourhood. It’s one of those buildings that feels both imposing and oddly calming at the same time. All sharp lines, tall glass, and the echo you only get in places where very serious decisions are made. We wandered through the public areas, taking in the architecture and the sheer sense of scale. Cameron was in his element again, happily soaking up the civics lesson while Neil waited outside, both far less moved by constitutional law.
Later, we looped around Lake Burley Griffin, jackets zipped tight against the wind. The water was steel-grey, the air sharp, and the kind of cold that makes your eyes water before your brain catches up. By the time night rolled in, the temperature dropped even further. The pipes in the motorhome froze solid. A proper shakedown moment if ever there was one. Nothing tests your camping confidence quite like standing inside your own home-on-wheels muttering, “Surely it can’t get any colder?” while the diesel heater wheezes in protest.
Canberra ended up being exactly what we needed, a mix of culture, structure, leg-stretching walks, and a reminder that travelling through Australia means weather whiplash is always waiting around a corner. And despite the cold, we loved it. Even Zoe took it in stride, although she was unimpressed by the lack of beaches.
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Canberra
Canberra is a place where Australian history is made, argued about, preserved, and sometimes politely ignored. It’s a city built on purpose, with wide streets, clean lines, and the kind of efficiency that makes you rethink how every other city came to be.
How to Get There
Canberra sits in the ACT, a straightforward run along the Kings Highway from the coast or a gentle approach from Yass on the Barton Highway. All main routes are sealed, and the traffic is surprisingly relaxed once you commit to the roundabouts.
What to See, Tours and Activities
What we did:
Visited Old Parliament House and explored rooms staged as if everyone had just stepped out for the night.
Wandered through New Parliament House and its impressive architecture.
Explored the National Museum of Australia, including the caravanning exhibition.
Stopped by the High Court for a wander through the public areas.
Walked around Lake Burley Griffin in ice-cold winds.
Survived a night cold enough to freeze the moho’s pipes.
Other highlights nearby:
Australian War Memorial
National Gallery of Australia
National Arboretum
Royal Australian Mint
Mount Ainslie Lookout
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
When to Visit
Late autumn to spring is cool and crisp, and winter gets properly cold. Summer can be hot, but Canberra does seasons with real commitment, so pack for big shifts and keep an eye on overnight temperatures if you’re in a motorhome. Frozen pipes are a rite of passage… once.
Final Thoughts
Canberra gave us politics, culture, clean lines, and a hard reminder that the Top End and its warm nights were far behind us. Even with the cold, it was one of the most rewarding stops of the shakedown — a place where we learned as much about the country as we did about living small on wheels.
What’s Nearby
From Canberra, the road swings easily toward Yass or back down to the coast if you want to revisit the sea. For us, the next stretch of the shakedown carried us back toward the highway and into the rhythm of small towns again.
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Fast Facts
Location: Canberra, ACT
Distance: 280 km southwest of Sydney
Traditional Owners: Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples
Access: Fully sealed highways
Facilities: Museums, galleries, supermarkets, fuel, national institutions, caravan parks
Walking Track: Lake Burley Griffin loop sections
Dog Friendly: Limited; most national institutions not dog-friendly
Best Time to Visit: Autumn and spring for comfortable days
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