Canberra Off the Beaten Path Tips by oisha

The water in the Murrumbidgee comes straight from Mount Kosciuszko and is clean enough to swim in, though there is not much of it. The river is narrow, not very deep, and with a very slow current - which is ideal for kids and older people paddling around in there. In some places the river has a smooth sandy bottom (eg. Casuarina Sands), but in most places there are pebbles or rocks on the bottom, though they don't interfere with a pleasant swim in the water.

My favourite swimming place as a child was at "the Cotter". This is a reserve that protects the Cotter River (a tributary of the Murrumbidgee) around 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Canberra. A typical Sunday at the Cotter includes a BBQ lunch, playing in the kids' playground, post-lunch bush-walk through the pine forest, a dip in the river, ice-cream at the kiosk and a nice nap on the way home.

There is a grassy camping ground by the river where you can stay for a maximum of 3 days.

The area was devastated by the 2003 bushfires, but is being rejuventated and is still a pleasant place to head for a quiet afternoon in the bush.

The photo is of nearby Casuarina Sands - courtesy of community.webshots.com.

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Website: http://www.canberraconnect.act.gov.au/sportleisureparks/parksandreserves/murbidgcorridor.html

Located in Manuka, this cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn. It was opened in 1939 and extended in 1973. It is not always open so your best bet for getting inside is during mass on a Sunday (8.00, 9.30, 11.00, 17.30), on a weekday (6.45, 12.15) or on a Saturday or public holiday (7.30, 12.15).

Just across the road is Manuka shops where you can find some of the best restaurants in Canberra and plenty of good coffee.

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