”My Canberra’ is about seeing our city with new fresh eyes.  We have sought out politicians, authors, HerCanberra readers and bloggers to share their favourite parts of Canberra. It has so much to offer, but sometimes it’s hard to find those fantastic places without knowing someone to recommend them.  Here is our latest My Canberra post from, local blogger GnomeAngel.

About GnomeAngel

When asked to describe what I blog about I steal from Crowded House and say “it’s all stuff and nonsense” and try to look cool and aloof while saying it; it rarely works.  The reality is that my blogging style is more like a bad version of “The Diary of Adrian Mole” if Adrian Mole were a 30 something, wife, mother, and addicted to crafting.

Favourite Cheap & Cheerful Dining

Tak Kee Roast Inn in Dickson – this place does a mean Peking Duck pancake.  It’s an absolute favourite in our household and I’ve been known to buy whole peking ducks, freeze them and then take them home to Townsville in my hand luggage.

The food is great, the service is really fast and the prices are reasonable; what more could  you ask for? (If you answer that question with ‘tablecloths and centrepieces’ then this isn’t the place for you!)

Favourite Mid-Range Restaurant

I’m going with the masses on this one; Bellucis.  I am in love with their prawns with cherry tomatoes, chill and garlic. I still drool over a lamb and pasta dish they used to do.

Favourite High-End Dining

I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t have an answer for this category in Canberra. We’ve never been real foodies and now we’re parents to a one-year old, we rarely go to places that require us to have stain free clothing.  I do daydream about heading out to Grazing in Gundaroo for a meal though one day.

Favourite Canberra hotspot

The one the hot water bottle leaves! Seriously, I’m so not hip or trendy I have no idea what’s classed as a “hot spot” in Canberra.  I do, however, love the Canberra Theatre and have spent many a great night seeing a show there – can that be classed as a hot spot?

The theatre is not for the rich and well educated (I’m neither and they still sell me a ticket) it’s for everybody, and more of us should get out there and see a live act once in a while; whether it’s a band, a comedian, a play, or an interpretative dance troop.  Take a chance, you’ll love it!

Favourite Place to meet friends for drinks

Hands down – Edgar’s Inn in Ainslie.  I am an absolute fiend for hot chips and Edgar’s does a great shoestring fries with sweet chilli mayonnaise. Their menu is solid, the prices are reasonable and – being a North Queensland native – the outdoor eating and pub feel appeals to my homesickness.  It’s got a great atmosphere and there’s nothing better then sitting outside having a drink with your mates on a fabulous Canberra day.

Best coffee (or tea)

Would you believe I have never had tea or coffee…never! (You can blame/thank that one on growing up in the tropics, I could never quite get into the whole hot drinks thing…)  But I do like the occasional hot chocolate and when I want to be really indulgent I head to Koko Black.

Favourite place to shop

This ones a hard one…so many great places, so little money…

I am in love with Addicted to Fabric.  As a newbie quilter, this store has everything I dream about and more.  The staff are great (really knowledgable, patient and friendly) and the store has such a wide selection of beautiful fabrics.  They also run some really fun (and well priced) workshops which are a great way to learn something new and meet new people.

I’m also a real sucker for Christmas so when I’m in the mood for cheering up I make my way out to the Christmas Barn in Bredbo.  I could spend hours in this store just looking (and touching) all the amazing Christmas related items they stock.  It drives my husband bonkers, but I can’t help it I love Christmas.  (Yes, I am the Clark Griswold of our family!)

I also really love the Old Bus Depot Markets and the Handmade Markets.  There’s so many talented, cool and creative people out there and this is a great way to see them and their wares.

Favourite bookstore

My favourite Canberra bookstore has shut it’s store front and moved online; Intrigue the Romance Bookstore. (Yep, I said it – ROMANCE!) Sadly, it’s a sign of the times.  I can’t remember the last time I went into a bookstore that wasn’t online  – that’s just sad really.

How you get away from it all

Like most Canberrans, we like to head to the coast.  Friends introduced us to Milton and the Pilgrims Wholefood Takeaway’s scrambled eggs, and so we’ve been known to head down there when we get a craving to see the sea and have a fun day out.

Great kid-friendly activities

I love a cute animal (explains the men I’ve dated) and so I’d have to say the National Zoo & Aquarium is a great place to take kids of all ages.  It’s not the most economical place to go, but you can’t beat getting up close to some of natures coolest creatures.  The otters are my favourites…

Must do Canberra experience

For me I think if you come to Canberra you have to see Parliament House, I know it’s corny but I really love the building and I love all that it represents (the good, the bad and the political).  I used to make any visitors that came to Canberra climb to the top of Parliament House and get them to look at the beauty that is this city from the top of that manmade hill (and then make them roll down the grass when security weren’t looking).

We live in such a unique and stunningly beautiful city and Parliament House is, for me, a great example of just how awesome our Nation is.

What activity/event/place that is still under the radar people should know about?

The Canberra Quilt and Craft Fair which is being held from 8 to 11 August 2013.  Canberra is home to some of the world’s best quilters (bet you didn’t know that) and each year Canberra Quilters puts on a spectacular exhibition of their members work.  It’s such an eye opening and beautiful exhibition.

I always get such a kick out of seeing all the quilts that the members create; they all have something unique to offer and never cease to amaze me with the level of skill and the way they work within their craft.  Seriously, if you can make it to the Exhibition, do it – you’d be amazed at the things that they’re doing with fabric and thread.

On my still to do list

The National  Arboretum looks like so much fun and I can’t wait to find some free time to head there.  (I hope I’m not too big to play on the new playground!) The Pumpkin Festival in Collector is also on the list for when our little man is a little bigger.

One of the things I love about Canberra is that it’s always evolving and there’s always something new and exciting to do no matter what you’re in to so I’m sure that this list will be ever changing (except maybe for Edgar’s, they are some seriously good fries!)