2025
Hello Canberra,
📆 Today: Self-Care for Introverts + Toll Troubles.
⛅️ Weather: 14° and a possible shower. A 40% chance of rain.
This is a previous issue of Canberra Digest. Get Canberra news, events, culture and more sent to your inbox every morning. Subscribe for free.
Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter and New York Times bestselling author, Ben Folds, is coming to Canberra next February as part of his Ben Folds & A Piano tour. The tour features an intimate live musical experience, with Folds performing past and present hits and sharing stories from his more than three decades as a platinum-selling singer-songwriter and former frontman for Ben Folds Five. Details here.
This one's bound to divide people—probably along the same lines as those who prefer self-checkout at the supermarket vs. those who like a human cashier. Reverie in Campbell is a new 24/7 private "wellness sanctuary" offering saunas, automated spray tans, dry float tanks, and ice baths—all without the need for small talk. You book through an app, which also unlocks the door, and there's no waiting room or reception to navigate. Details here.
Some hands-on social activities I've come across:
Baguettes Masterclass: Ma Petite Patisserie x Ensemble Café is hosting a hands-on two-hour masterclass where you'll learn the art of crafting the perfect sourdough baguette from scratch. Whether you're a curious beginner or a bread enthusiast, this workshop will guide you through the fundamentals of sourdough baking in a warm, friendly setting. Details here.
Noods & Blooms: Local florist House de Fleurs and Dumplinlins are hosting a day of flowers and noodles. Play florist for the day with a guided seasonal stems workshop and then enjoy a delicious Northern Thai chicken laksa or Thai green curry. Details here.
Sculpt and Scrap: A blend of pilates, meditation and moodboarding. Take part in a pilates class and guided meditation with Isobelle from Isolate Pilates before getting crafty with scrapbooking and collaging. Includes a freshly whisked iced matcha with your choice of milk from Teddy's Matcha, and complimentary nibbles. Details here.
Brave’s AIS Success: Over 42,000 people watched this season’s ice hockey games at the AIS. The temporary rink has now been packed up, but the Brave have confirmed they will be bringing it back next year. Did you make it to a game this year? What did you think of the experience?
Toll Troubles: Toll operator Transurban has mistakenly been charging Canberrans after NSW issued duplicate number plates to those in the ACT. NSW could have chosen to skip issuing plates that begin with ‘Y’ and still be nowhere near exhausting the usable pool of ~45 million plate combinations—but I guess they just wanted to imitate us. More.
ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year: Congratulations to Dr Samantha McGaughey, who has been named the ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year for 2025. Based at the ANU, Dr McGaughey’s work focuses on cutting-edge technology that can help turn wastewater “from a problem into an opportunity”. More.
ACT and AFL? Could the ACT field the AFL’s 20th team? AFL head honcho Andrew Dillon was recently in Canberra to watch the Giants play, and the Chief Minister has been discussing a future ACT team with the media. Could Canberra support another winter sports team? More.
Thursday
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Sunday
🩰 Ballet of Lights: Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty has arrived in Canberra! This beloved tale is brought to life through classical dance, stunning choreography, and beautiful glow-in-the-dark costumes. Get your tickets for Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show in Canberra! Details here.
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