Canberra, it turns out, is the glittering jewel in a family’s winter travel diary. At least, that was my experience when we headed there on the Queen’s birthday long weekend.
I had chosen a Canberra family holiday as the springboard for our kids’ first experience of snow (our kids are three and five years old). I’d heard about Corin Forest, about 40 minutes outside of the city, where children could do “snow play” and ride on toboggans… without the exorbitant cost of a full family trip to the Aussie ski fields.
We discovered there was much more to do than just Corin Forest! Follow along as we discover the wonders of Canberra with kids.
Why a weekend in Canberra will surprise you
Before I had children, the idea of visiting Canberra with a toddler and preschooler had about as much appeal as doing a revision of logarithms. I’d assigned our nation’s capital to a dusty chapter of “what one learns about in school, then promptly forgets”. How wrong I was.
A whirlwind of kid-friendly museums, nature reserves, adventure playgrounds, and much more, Canberra was so much more than I would have believed in my “pre-kid” days. But travel now is as much about my children as it is about me, and this trip felt like it had something for all of us.
Snow play for kids at Corin Forest Mountain Resort
The star of the trip was the big event: a long-awaited day trip from Canberra to Corin Forest.
A child’s first experience of anything is a delight for most parents. Their first ice cream, their first ocean swim, their first touch and taste of snow. In some ways, Daniel (my husband) and I were as excited as the kids about their first time seeing snow.
When we went to Corin Forest, it was the first “official” weekend of their season. The car park was full, and there were small children and their adults clumping about in ski boots and other snow paraphernalia.
The fields themselves were patches of white in an otherwise typical Australian bushland. Corin Forest has a snow making machine, which is why the patches of white looked a little incongruous in the otherwise snow-less landscape.
The “snow play” sessions go for about two-and-a-half hours, which is plenty of time for young children to hoon down the small hill in a toboggan, or throw snowballs and make snowmen in a separate area.
If you’re used to the deep snow drifts of higher ski fields, Corin Forest may dampen your enthusiasm. My daughter’s snowman was more like a snow mouse, but for her, it was the best thing to happen all year.
Once the kids had their fill of the snow, we went to the café, drank hot chocolates and bought some of the biggest marshmallows I’ve ever seen, which the kids proceeded to roast over the open pit fire.
⛄Get more budget-friendly tips in our cheap Aussie snow holiday guide
Where to stay when visiting Corin Forest
I’d been told that Canberra’s East Hotel was family friendly. “Family friendly” to me translates to caravan parks where no one minds children climbing on everything and generally making a ruckus. I couldn’t imagine how it would work in a nice hotel, where there was inviting furniture, soft lighting and possibly a spa bath.
When you’re a parent, and you’ve travelled for several hours in a car with disgruntled small children, it’s the little things that delight you.
Like the children’s books that were waiting on the corner of their beds. And the Kit Kat placed upon those books. Or the gaming console that had been set up just for them. Small gestures that are like a gentle invitation: your motley crew are welcome here.
After resting with the kids far enough away that I couldn’t hear their night time murmurings (our rooms were separated by a spacious living room) we set off for a jam-packed Canberra “big day out”.
💸 EXCLUSIVE DEAL: OAWK readers can save 10% on East Hotel Canberra stays
More long weekend fun at Canberra's top attractions
Hands-on science at Questacon
We started out at Questacon, a scientific exploration centre designed for children. I’d heard a lot about Questacon, and it didn’t disappoint. We could have spent the whole day there and the kids would have been happy. I’m not saying that it converted them into science geniuses, there was just way too much to absorb in one day, but it was fun for everyone.
Playing at the National Arboretum
After filling our brains to almost exploding, we thought it would be a good idea to let the kids run around and get some energy out, so we headed to the National Arboretum with its amazing playground of huge acorn pods and connecting string walkways.
Visiting the enchanting Cockington Green Gardens
And finally, we went to Cockington Green Gardens, located in the Gold Creek Village precinct. If you speak to a local, they’ll tell you that the Cockington Green Gardens is naff and strange. I say “bah humbug!” What could be more enchanting for small children, than a world full of miniature cottages, buildings, castles and ruins?
And I say that as a Mum who waited half an hour for a tiny train trip that lasted about 5 minutes. The kids loved it, and if I’m honest, I found it quite entertaining as well.
Discover more of kid-friendly Canberra
🐯 WILDLIFE IN THE CAPITAL: Check out Canberra’s zany zoos and wildlife experiences
🪃 ABORIGINAL CULTURE: The ACT’s best Indigenous tourism experiences for all ages
🛏️ KID-APPROVED STAYS: Base your Canberra trip at one of these family-friendly hotels
Shevonne Hunt was hosted by Visit Canberra and Corin Forest
Opening image: Go tobogganing at Corin Forest Mountain Resort. © Visit Canberra
