October 23

Hello Canberra,

Hello Canberra,

📆 Today: It’s Thursday, 23 October.

🌥️ Weather: 23° and mostly sunny.

Coming Up: 🧱 Canberra Brick Show

Next weekend, the Canberra LEGO User Group is hosting the Canberra Brick Show—a LEGO fan event featuring over 150 exhibitors from across Australia displaying more than 300 tables of incredible creations. Expect a massive train layout, dozens of vehicles, a great ball contraption, Technic builds, mosaics, Star Wars displays, historic collections and custom-designed MOCs (My Own Creations). Come along to check out the displays, take part in interactive activities, browse LEGO retailers selling new and rare sets, and enjoy great food. Details here.

🍴 Canberra Eats

This week’s serve of foodie news:

Hao’s Canberra: As the founder and executive chef at one of Canberra’s favourite fine dining restaurants, Raku, Hao Chen is a Canberra culinary icon. Hao’s Canberrais his soon-to-be-released cookbook, edited by Chefs Eat Canberra author Chris Hansen and photographed by Ashley St. George. The book features over 30 recipes plus tips and tricks to help you recreate your favourite dishes at home. It’s now available for pre-order, and those who do will go into the draw to win a tasting menu for eight people with Hao and Chris in Raku’s private dining room. Details here.

Beer Day Out: Fyshwick Markets and Plonk are teaming up to host the Beer Day Outfestival next Sunday, 2 November. Breweries from Canberra and across Australia will be set up across the markets offering free samples. Details here.

Laura Sharrad at Pialligo Estate: Join MasterChef favourite Laura Sharrad at Pialligo Estate for a weekend of culinary experiences, including a long lunch, cooking demonstration and multi-course dinner. Details here.

Bubbas BBQ: A new late-night food truck opened by two young friends who met at mosque is coming to Mitchell. Serving up halal charcoal BBQ chicken, burgers, skewers and more, the grand opening is this weekend. You’ll find them at 2 Callan St, Mitchell (behind Blochaus), open from 4 pm–1 am. Details here.

Frenzy: Perfect for the warmer weather, BentSpoke is launching Frenzy—a raspberry beer described as sweet, tart and “berry-licious”. BentSpoke will launch it at the Brewpub in Braddon this afternoon. From 4 pm–6 pm, there’ll be discounted pints, live music and raffle giveaways. Details here.

Spirits on the Foreshore: Forty Australian and international distillers will be represented at Spirits on the Foreshore, showcasing their ranges with over 200 spirits available to taste. Tickets are available for the three-hour tasting sessions or the masterclasses. Details here.

📰 Tidbits

Alcohol Deliveries Could Be Restricted: The ACT is set to become the first jurisdiction in Australia to regulate same-day alcohol delivery services under new legislation introduced to the Assembly this week. The bill aims to close loopholes that allow unrestricted late-night alcohol delivery from online orders. Under the new rules, deliveries will be restricted to 10 am–10 pm, providers will need to offer a two-hour “cool-off” period between purchase and delivery, and a daily limit will apply.

Around Canberra: 💦 Outdoor Pools Opening

Three of Canberra’s outdoor pools open for the summer season this weekend—Manuka Pool, Dickson Pool and Phillip Pool all open on Saturday, 25 October. The Canberra Olympic Pool, grassed area and beach volleyball court will open next weekend. It’s just a shame the weather won’t be that warm this weekend!

Something to do

A random selection of interesting things to try:

Tour the Rose Gardens: Take a free guided tour through one of Canberra’s most fragrant and historically rich landscapes—the Rose Gardens at Old Parliament House. Whether you love gardening, history or simply want a tranquil escape, this immersive experience offers a unique blend of storytelling, scent and seasonal splendour. Details here.

Bob Ross Painting Class: The Q-Gallery in Ainslie is hosting a walk-in Bob Ross–inspired class celebrating the American painting sensation with a themed painting party followed by one of his iconic tutorials. Details here.

Canberra Frocktails: CBR Sewing Crew is a local social sewing community that runs meetups every third Saturday of the month, along with other events including Frocktails—an evening of fun, frivolity and fancy frocks for anyone who enjoys sewing and making their own garments. Details here.

From Tropical Islands to Living Woodlands: Around 430 million years ago, Canberra was a chain of volcanic islands in tropical seas. Today, remnants of that ancient world lie beneath the box-gum woodlands of Mulligans Flat. Join local geoscientist Megan Lech and the National Parks Association ACT for a guided preview of the new Geoheritage Trail—a self-guided walk exploring how geology has shaped the land, life and culture of this remarkable place. You don’t need to be a member of NPAACT to join in on the walk. Details here.

Classifieds

🏇 Melbourne Cup: Celebrate the Melbourne Cup with elevated bites: braised beef pancakes, roast duck rolls, and coconut rice balls. Designed to impress. Only at natural nine.

--

✨ Stop the Chaos - Master Your Calm! Feeling overwhelmed? Our popular 5-week, evidence-based course gives you powerful tools to master your mindset to regulate emotions, reduce stress and build foundations for a calmer life. Starts Oct 29. All levels welcome. Book now: IS-SPECIAL30/OFF1025 for $30 off. Get info & tickets now

--

🪐 Cottis Conducts The Planets: The Canberra Symphony Orchestra performs 'The Planets', an expansive, spine-tingling musical suite that served as a source of inspiration for some of cinema's greatest composers, including John Williams and Hans Zimmer. Don't miss this epic orchestral masterwork that shaped the sound of cinema itself! Details here.

--

Classifieds support Canberra Digest