Last weekend we were lucky enough to be invited to spend the weekend at the Novotel in Canberra. As a family we really love getting out of Sydney when we can, and we look for any excuse to head off on a road trip.Our biggest hurdle when heading away is how to find activities that are going to suit teenagers and a toddler. It can be a fine balance! So when we were invited to spend two nights in Canberra it ticked all the boxes- lots to do for everyone and not too far away.

We arrived at the Novotel Canberra to interconnecting rooms- one had a king size bed for us and fold out couch for Tully and the other had two double beds for the teenagers. Ever since our summer visit to Novotel Darling Harbour Zali asks me on at least a weekly basis when we can go back to the Novotel (she’s got dreams of living the high life!) so she was thrilled to be back in the comfort of Novotel! They also have an indoor pool which Tully loved and it helped burn off some of her energy after the big drive!

We arrived just before dinner on Saturday night so we headed up to the restaurant for dinner. The service was fantastic and speedy, which you always want when you are eating out with a toddler! After our recent trip away to the Gold Coast Tully is all about eating in restaurants at the moment (between her and Zali they are expecting quite the lifestyle lol!) Check out our yummy food!

It’s been a while since I’ve been to Canberra and I forgot how gorgeous it looks in the Autumn. Where I live in Sydney has none of those amazing autumn trees. My husband is from Scotland so he loves going somewhere where they have ‘real’ autumn.

As part of our weekend break we were given the 3inFun tickets that give you access to the Australian Institute of Sport, Cockington Green Gardens and my teenagers’ very favourite place- Questacon! My ‘science nerd’ teenage son (and husband for that matter) jump at the chance to head there and we were all excited to show it to Tully. The great thing about Questacon is that they change the exhibitions quite often so you don’t see the same thing every time.

Cockington Green Gardens is one of my favourite things in Canberra. It’s a miniature village, with tiny, to scale English houses and castles, as well as an international section with landmarks from around the world- in miniature. I’ve always loved things in miniature. As a child I was obsessed with dolls houses and miniature household items, as well as David Winter Collectibles. Take a look!

While we were in Canberra we also made time to head up to Parliament House, as well as the National  Museum of Australia to see their Home Front WWI exhibition. (ps- if you go to the museum you MUST have lunch in their cafe- the food is AMAZING!)

So if you are looking for a great place to take the kids over the winter holidays don’t rule out Canberra! I think poor Canberra cops it a bit as a location and we don’t remember how many awesome things there are to do there. Once I was there I realised we could have easily spent a week there- and the great thing is they have so many fun things to do that are inside for when its cold. As well as the ones we visited there is the National Dinosaur Museum, CSIRO Discovery Centre, Telstra Tower, The Australian War Memorial, Old Parliament House, The Royal Australian Mint and the National Gallery of Australia– just to name a few! For everything to see and do in Canberra visit www.visitcanberra.com.au.

Take advantage of Novotel’s carefree family travel promise, where up to two kids (under 16) stay and eat breakfast for free at any Novotel. For more information and to book your Canberra holiday visit www.accorhotels.com.au

*Stuff Mums Like stayed as guests of Novotel