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Canberra Today 15°/16° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Summer bliss when life goes off the boil

I LOVE the summer holidays in Canberra. Political and media life goes off the boil. The public service slumps into torpor. Morning and afternoon traffic is light, while many roads are virtually empty through much of the day.

The pace of business is slower and more relaxed. Usually packed venues at Manuka, Kingston and Civic are much less crowded and more friendly as people seem more inclined to linger longer and just have a chat. Canberra in January really is a different place.
If like me you have children to entertain, places such as the Manuka Pool are open, where you can while away a hot January day under a big, old tree with plenty of snacks, drinks and good books, while the little ones splash about in the pools.
Thankfully, in recent times the ACT Government has been erecting more and more shade covers over kids’ playgrounds, making many a viable option for kids’ entertainment and exercise throughout the day. Indoor play centres will be packed, especially on hot days, but for those of us who require a few hours of coffee and air conditioning they remain a great holiday option for families with young kids – just take your ear plugs.
For those who enjoy a bit of a shop, there are the post-Christmas sales to look forward to. In Canberra, these may lack the amazing choice, hype and excitement of Sydney or Melbourne, but unlike the larger cities, we get to browse the bargains at a leisurely pace in the climate-controlled atmosphere of one of our very civilised shopping centres.
Now, okay, there will be nights when it’s a bit too hot to sleep (unless you are lucky enough to have air conditioning) and if you really are a beach person, the bush capital does fall a bit short, but if like me you are into relaxed lazy days with family and friends really Canberra in January – one of Australia’s best kept secrets!

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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