IT IS impossible to choose a single favourite holiday destination in Australia as it is packed with gems. I love Sydney's Blue Mountains, Perth's Ningaloo Reef and Melbourne's Twelve Apostles.
Another spot I have come to adore is Canberra. Now, do not raise your eyebrows. The capital of Australia is far from boring and neither is it full of politicians and parliament sittings.
In fact, it caters to all the best reasons for travelling - delicious wines, scrumptious bites, historical sites, parklands and stunning scenery. And more than 60 per cent of the attractions do not charge an admission fee, making it a great value-for-money holiday destination.
National treasures
The national attractions located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and around the city offer magnificent collections, entertainment and interactive displays that highlight Australia's heritage, achievements and contemporary lifestyle.
To the right of the lake are the library, science and technology centre, old parliament building and national gallery.
Beyond the lake at the end of Anzac Parade stands the Australian War Memorial, and on Capital Hill sits Parliament House.
If you want to find out more about Canberra's beginnings, head to the National Capital Exhibition.
And if you really want to explore what it means to be Australian, a stop at the national museum is a must.
What I liked was that it does not look like or feel like a museum. It relies on sounds, images, state-of-the-art technology and handson interactive exhibitions to help you learn about the land, nation and people.
Take the 6m-plunge at Questacon
Another treasure that stood out for me was Questacon: The National Science and Technology Centre. With so many attractions at the seven galleries, each representing a different aspect of science, even the adults can get away with being kids.
I chickened out of free-falling 6m down a vertical slide, but got close to a lightning bolt, experienced an earthquake and even what it feels like to be beheaded.
Blooming beauty
If you are seeking respite from big-city stress, there are many ways to relax here. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the sun, have a dip in the lake, or go for a ride on the mini steam train around a miniature village at Cockington Green Gardens.
Many people like to relax by the artificial but beautiful Lake Burley Griffin to admire its centrepiece, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a spire of water that reaches more than 140m into the air.
Then, there is a whole host of nature-oriented activities to enjoy, given that Canberra is a city within a park. I timed my holiday during spring (September to October) just to see Commonwealth Park blossom into Floriade, the largest annual floral festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is amazing how more than one million bulbs bloom on cue and provide a stunning backdrop for the month-long festival, which is filled with music, cultural celebrations and artistic horticulture displays from around the world.
Go hot-air ballooning over the city
But my favourite and most uplifting holiday experience has to be setting off in a hot-air balloon at dawn to get a bird's eye view of Canberra's planned layout and natural beauty.
If you prefer to stay on land, Mount Ainslie and Telstra Tower on Black Mountain are other strategic lookout points.
Gourmet flavours
If food is high on your agenda, then you are in for a treat, as Canberra's diverse multicultural population and large diplomatic community have inspired a gourmet heaven.
A crowd pleaser is Milk and Honey in Garema Place. This 70s retro-chic cafe offers everything from light snacks and milkshakes to full meals.
If you want more of a five-star experience, The Chairman & Yip Restaurant in Bunda Street sets the scene with its elegant decor and sophisticated menu. The food is essentially Chinese, but the chefs have used local produce to excellent effect.
The pleasant and leafy suburbs of Kingston and Manuka have busy 'eat streets'.
Dining at Pangaea in Manuka, I felt like I had been on a makan (eat, in Malay) tour of the world as the menu celebrates cuisines from various backgrounds. A sampling: salmon sashimi with raspberry vinaigrette, pan-seared Wagyu beef, grilled prawns in North African spices and deepfried risotto balls.
Fine food, of course, deserves good wine, and there is nothing better than the local drop. Order a local label when you dine or take a leisurely drive around Canberra's cool-climate wineries.
The peaceful rural countryside around the capital is home to 140 vineyards with more than 30 boutique cellar doors, and most are only 30 minutes away from the city.
At Kamberra Wine Company on Northbourne Avenue, you can sip some premium wines. It also serves as an art gallery and a source of tourist information.
At Mount Majura vineyard, a highlight at the cellar door is the Gumboot Tour, a self-guided 'nature trail' through the vineyard.
Retail therapy
What is a holiday without a spot of retail therapy? And the capital does not disappoint in this area.
Canberra offers everything from luxury boutiques, malls and department stores to bargain home stores and local designers, if you know where to look.
A good place to start is Civic, the city's leading fashion shopping centre.
Then there is Brand Depot, the capital's first factory outlet centre. With some of the biggest brand names and designer clothes at factory prices, you will find almost everyone shopping here on late-night Fridays, when the shops stay open past 8pm.
I cannot resist street stalls and bargains, so the Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston was a delight. Set in an old industrial building, it is a wonderful place to pick up gifts in the way of arts, crafts and local produce. Make sure you get a little something for yourself too.
