In this sponsored post, “CityNews” shares inspiration for gifts and experiences that’ll make dad feel special this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day on Sunday, September 1, is a celebration that honours fathers and celebrates fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. 

Father’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May. 

But, in Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September. 

September also marks the beginning of spring, the season of rebirth and renewal, making it the perfect time to celebrate fatherhood.

Beers, burgers and animal encounters

The National Zoo and Aquarium has one of the best breeding programs within Australia, and Australasia, says admin and tourism projects manager Chara Reynolds, so it’s no surprise they love to celebrate dads. 

To make sure Father’s Day is something special, Chara says they are collaborating with Bentspoke Brewing Co. for an exciting Brew at the Zoo offer.

The Brew at the Zoo deal will entitle ticket holders to a burger and beer with the admission ticket, and kids a burger and soft drink.

Extra tickets can be purchased, with all proceeds going back into the park, Chara says.

“We’ll have burgers ready, cooked by our kitchen, out in the beautiful viewing park, surrounded by the rhinos and the cheetahs and giraffes, with some picnic tables set up,” she says. 

“We love the idea of people getting out of the house and spending time with the family.”

There’s more to do than just wander around the zoo too, says Chara, with encounter opportunities, a park, kids’ trails, zoo art and stays at Jamala Lodge. 

“We’ve got history, adventure, lots of things to do and, of course, it just gets you out and about,” she says. 

“You’re out in the beautiful landscape gardens with the most amazing view that changes every five minutes.”

National Zoo and Aquarium, Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla. Call 6287 8400 or visit nationalzoo.com.au

Traditional Indian cuisine with a ‘modern twist’

This Father’s Day, Blu Ginger Indian Restaurant is serving up the best in traditional Indian cuisines, with all the love and care of a home-cooked meal, says owner Reddy Manne.

“Blu Ginger consistently uses the age-old recipes with a modern twist,” he says.

“The restaurant covers all regions of ethnic India, all meals are cooked fresh with local and imported ingredients and all spices are ground in store.”

First established in 2000, Reddy says the restaurant has become renowned in Canberra for its butter chicken, jhangiri and shahi ghost, among other choices.

“We serve gluten-free meals and accommodate any dietary requirements,” he says.

“Blu Ginger caters fresh made-to-order with affordable prices.”

Reddy says they are open for lunch and dinner, and are looking forward to welcoming the fathers of Canberra for a special day, or evening, out.

Blu Ginger Indian Restaurant, 2/5-21 Genge Street, Civic. Call 6247 2228 or visit bluginger.com.au

Calling all science and dino-lovers

“Come have fun with us at the National Dinosaur Museum at 11am or 2pm from August 10 to August 18 during National Science Week to witness the unleashing of rare fossils that have been under lock and key,” says National Dinosaur Museum general manager Carole Arulantu.

Visitors will enjoy a special fossil talk, and Carole says a selected few will have the opportunity to touch nine rare fossils over the course of the week, which includes a massive 20 kilo T-Rex vertebrae. 

Each day will feature a different fossil that has never been accessible to be touched by visitors to the museum in the past. 

The event is free with general admission, and tickets can be purchased either online or at the door.

The fun for National Science Week will also extend to Belconnen, with the National Dinosaur Museum offering a free exhibition and information session at Westfield Belconnen on August 17 from 10am to 4pm. 

“We all have burning questions about dinosaurs and pre-history. This is your chance to have your questions answered by our passionate team members, at either location! Don’t miss this rare opportunity,” says Carole.

The National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls. Call 6109 8160 or visit nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au

Treat dad to the ultimate feed

The Austrian-Australian Club is the perfect place to take dad for a special Father’s Day meal, says acting manager Erin Weatherstone. 

With a special Father’s Day menu and a free schooner of beer for all the dads, Erin says it is sure to be a meal to remember.

“It’s a really friendly atmosphere,” Erin says.

“Everyone gets along really well, all the bar staff are friends with the patrons, it’s a really nice family atmosphere.”

Erin says there will also be raffles on the day. 

If it isn’t possible to visit on Father’s Day, Erin says they have plenty of activities coming up to celebrate the day on a later date, including live music, karaoke, social events and pool tables, and their regular menu, which includes their famous schnitzel.

“It’s a mix of Austrian and Australian food, the veal schnitzels are very popular, and so is the Trio of Schnitzels, which is chicken, pork and veal” she says.

“We’re open seven days a week, from 11.30am to late.”

The Austrian-Australian Club, Heard Street, Mawson. Call 6286 5793 or visit austrianaustralianclub.com

Lollies to share between generations

Lolly Swagman has been excitedly exploring new tastes for nearly three decades, says owner Ian Richardson.

Located in the heart of the Southern Highlands, the lolly shop stocks all-time favourite treats and the latest trending tastes from around the world, and offers the perfect excuse to go on a roadtrip with dad.

“We’ve got American Reese’s, Hershey’s and candy corn, English bon bons and chocolates, sours and super sours, Dutch liquorice, Scottish tablet and our own Mrs Swag’s Fudge,” says Ian.

“We lost count at 1300 different treats and we know it’s more than that.”

Ian says the store has something for everyone, and is a great place to bring dad to get completely spoiled on Father’s Day.

At the moment, Ian says they have been particularly enjoying the new Peaches and Cream and Chocolate Ginger hard lollies from Blackebys Sweets, in SA. 

Ian says Blackebys still use the copper pans from the 1880s to make lollies in the traditional way, and Lolly Swagman has a sizable collection of their treats.

“It’s a happy place with kids excitedly exploring for new tastes, older people reminiscing and sharing in the thrill of finding a favourite and the great stories that go with them,” he says.

“We often see people who’d come as children now bringing in their own children and sharing their experiences, which is lovely to be allowed to join in on. It’s nice to have that history.”

Lolly Swagman, 11 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. Call 4877 1137, or visit lollyswagman.com.au

Gifts that stand the test of time

Being a dad is a hard job, but it’s also one of the most rewarding, says South Pacific Hemp manager Sue Booth.

Opened in March 2021, Sue says the store is Canberra’s first all-hemp shop and includes a range of specially designed clothing that dad will love.

“Our clothing is designed for wearability and versatility, is breathable, natural and easy to care for,” she says.

“It also adapts to your body temperature, and lasts for years longer than other clothing materials.

“Hemp protects your skin by naturally filtering UV light. It also resists bacterial growth and breathes excellently, preventing odours, has four times the strength of cotton and it won’t weaken when washed.”

Sue says the dedicated team welcomes anyone to come and ask about the range of products.

“There’s tea towels, totes, sponges and cookie cutters and for the body, there’s shampoos, oils, bath salts and divine creams and much more,” she says.

South Pacific Hemp, 84 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0431 318898, or visit southpacifichemp.com.au

Learn all there is to know about beer

There’s a lot of dads who enjoy a beer from time to time, says BentSpoke Brewing Co. founder Richard Watkins, but most of them haven’t had the chance to learn how a beer is actually made. 

So, this year, BentSpoke Brewing Co. is offering a brewery tour of the Mitchell facility, and a lunch and tasting session at their brew pub in Braddon.

“People can come and see the process, how it’s manufactured, right from the grains that are used to make the beer, through to getting the beer into a can or into a keg,” he says.

“And talk about the flavours in the beer and dissect the beer into its components, and hopefully the dads will learn a little bit more about beer.”

Richard says he has been brewing beer for 27 years now, making him the longest-serving independent beer brewer still brewing in Australia.

“We just love beer,” says Richard.

“We just love the fact that we’re making a product that puts smiles on people’s faces.

“Sometimes people find it hard to have a conversation, and so many good conversations, and meaningful conversations happen over a beer.

“And we’re a local company, [an] independent company, we create jobs in Canberra, we support the Canberra community.”

BentSpoke Brewing Co., 38 Mort Street, Braddon. Call 6257 5220 or visit bentspokebrewing.com.au