The best wines from all over the country come to Canberra, with tastings to suit every palate. Photo: National Wine Show.
There’s so much happening in Canberra this week, it’s lucky you had a long weekend to rest up! But don’t worry, we’ve put together all the best happenings across the capital this coming week.
The National Wine Show celebrates 50 years with a wine extravaganza spanning three days, featuring tastings, gourmet food, stalls, and insider knowledge shared with the public about what makes a great wine tick.
Canberra Southern Cross Club in Woden is pulling out all the stops for the State of Origin. The Blues are up one, but that’ll only fire up the Maroons.
And over the weekend, the Braves go head-to-head with the Brisbane Lightning in a two-day contest on the ice at AIS Arena.
Multiple Days
How did a young nation solve one of its greatest logistical problems? Image: National Archives of Australia.
Camel trains to steel wheels – Exhibition at the National Archives
When: 13 June to 19 June, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes
Cost: Free.
A nation’s economy, military and society are hugely dependent on transport, especially across a country as vast as Australia. More than a century ago, Australia opened one of its most important transport projects, the Trans-Australian Railway.
Running from Port Augusta in South Australia to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, the railway crossed the vast Nullarbor Plain, connecting the east and the west.
This exhibition uses archival records, photos and footage to tell the story of the first 60 years of the railway, from the construction effort to the communities that sprang up along the line and everything in between. This is a great way to learn about one of the most important projects ever undertaken in Australia.
Free guided tours begin at 11:15 am every day for those seeking an even more in-depth look into this unique part of Australia’s history.
Rechelle Turner, From Country, Silk Painting, 2024. Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Exhibitions Opening at Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Where: Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street North
When: Opening: Friday 13 June 2025, 6 pm Exhibitions Showing: 13 June to 19 June
Cost: Free.
Join the artists at the official opening of From Country, True: Kevin Gilbert (1933 – 1993) and the Wish You Were Here community postcard exhibition at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.
Have a glass of wine with the artists, their friends and people from Canberra’s local arts scene. Hear from guest speakers and enjoy the celebratory atmosphere as you browse the artwork in three new exhibitions. Official speeches and drinks will be served from 6 pm on Friday, 13 June. Free, all welcome.
Bruce Lee in his prime in Enter the Dragon. Image: NFSA.
This week at the NFSA
When: 13 June to 19 June
Where: Arc Cinema, 1 McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: $10 to $16. Book online.
This week’s stacked schedule has a lot to be excited about.
On Friday, the musical classic Mary Poppins comes to the Arc Cinema for a special sing-along showing. Then on Saturday, Tasmanian-American icon-of-everything-debonair Errol Flynn plays a swashbuckling pirate in Captain Blood.
While on Sunday, Audrey Hepburn plays a shy bookshop worker whisked off to Paris by a fashion photographer in Funny Face.
To cap it all off, check out Thursday’s showing of Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, following a secret government agent infiltrating a martial arts tournament to bring down a nefarious drug lord.
The very best of domestic wine comes to the Hyatt. Photo: National Wine Show.
National Wine Show 2025
When: 13 June to 15 June
Where: Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra
Cost: Tickets $103. Book online.
The National Wine Festival marks 50 years of bringing together the finest wines from across the country in one location for a multi-day competition and tasting extravaganza.
The Wine Show is not just for growers, it’s for the general public who get a chance to taste some of the best wines from across the nation in one place, sampling the winners, enjoying gourmet snacks, exploring stalls, learning inside wine knowledge and perhaps discovering a new favourite.
Book now for your chance to experience the best Australia has to offer.
Lifeline Canberra Bookfair in the City. Photo: Lifeline Canberra.
Lifeline Canberra Bookfair in the City
When: 13 June, 9 am to 6 pm, 14 June, 9 am to 5 pm and 15 June, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Canberra Convention Centre, 31 Constitution Ave, Canberra City
Cost: Entry via gold coin donation; cash is preferred.
The Lifeline Canberra Bookfairs are the largest gathering of book lovers in Canberra. These events generate a significant portion of the funding required to sustain the local mental health crisis support service.
There is a wide range of fiction and non-fiction books, including rare books and collectables, children’s books, textbooks and foreign language books. You’ll also find magazines and pamphlets, sheet music, comics, maps and atlases, talking books, records and CDs, DVDs, games and jigsaws.
Canberra butts heads with Brisbane over two days at the AIS Arena. Image: Canberra Braves, Facebook.
Two Brave games against Brisbane
When: 14 June 5 pm and 15 June 2 pm
Where: AIS Arena, 26 Leverrier St, Bruce
Cost: Tickets from $30. Book game one and game two online.
This weekend, the AIS Arena hosts a contest of will on the ice as the Canberra Brave cross sticks with the Brisbane Lightning over two days.
As Canberra’s winter sets in, the Brave is in their element, ready to bring the heat to the competition from the Sunshine State.
Saturday
Get in tune with nature at CMAG. Image: Humanitix.
Nature journaling at Canberra Museum & Gallery
When: 14 June, 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Canberra Museum & Gallery, 176 London Circuit, Canberra
Cost: Free. Bookings required.
Nature journaling is an excellent way for everyone, kids, adults, and teens, to notice and appreciate the small things in life by looking at the natural world in a different way.
Incorporating nature into journaling makes an inherently introspective and calming process more in tune with the world around the writer, enhancing their sense of wellbeing and making them more appreciative.
This session will be guided by a passionate journaler who will guide visitors through the Resonance: Art as the Voice of Nature exhibition at CMAG, then lead sketching in the gallery space and courtyard.
Bring paper and pens.
Join Good Omen Goodeze for the World Knit In Public Day. Photo: Good Omen Goodeze.
World Knit In Public Day + Gogster Competition
When: 14 June, 10 am to 3 pm
Where: Westfield Belconnen, near T2
Cost: Free.
Good Omen Goodeze (GOG) is a Canberra based community needle-craft group providing personalised hand crafted comfort ‘Goodies’, for patients and their loved ones in need of comfort or warmth in Canberra hospitals.
This weekend, they’ve invited the local community to come knit with them at Westfield Belconnen to celebrate World Knit In Public Day. As part of this, their hosting a competition for anyone to show-off their knitted creations, with many prizes up for grabs.
Sunday
Discover the smart side of sustainability at Sustainable House Day on 15 June. Image: Suburban Land Agency.
Sustainable House Day
When: 15 June, 11 am to 3 pm
Where: Suburban Land Agency’s Display Village, 3 Klaus Moje Street, Whitlam
Cost: Free.
Surprise yourself with all the innovative ways sustainable building and design can deliver – for your home, for your wellbeing, and your community. Get inspired and learn about sustainability solutions for your own home, from smart tech and electrification to sustainable living tips and more.
Read more for a full schedule of events across the day.
Tuesday
Ever wanted to give your own TED talk? Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
TEDxCanberra 2025 Open Mic Night
When: 17 June, 6 pm to 8:45 pm
Where: Louie Louie, Verity Lane Market
Cost: Free.
The time has come for you to unleash your creativity and pitch your game-changing idea. This is not a competition, but rather an opportunity to share your vision with the community.
Who knows, your idea might even earn a spot on the TEDxCanberra flagship event stage this coming October. Even if you don’t make it to their main event, Open Mic Night is a fantastic way to test your idea within a laid-back and enjoyable atmosphere.
The topic of your talk is entirely up to you, but keep in mind that TED’s motto: ideas change everything.
Wednesday
Watch State of Origin at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden. Photo: Canberra Southern Cross Club.
State of Origin at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden
When: 18 June 8 pm
Where: Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden, 92-96 Corinna St, Phillip
Cost: More info available via Canberra Southern Cross Club.
Experience the power, pride and passion of sport’s greatest rivalry – State of Origin.
Catch every moment live and loud on the big screens at Woden Southern Cross Club. With plenty of seating, great food, and an unbeatable atmosphere, there’s no better place to be.
Kids eat free on Wednesdays – perfect for a family night out.
Upcoming events
- Carmen – The Australian Ballet – 20 June.
- Bubbly & Bites in the Patio at Canberra Southern Cross Club Woden – 22 June
Submit your event here to be considered for our weekly events guide.
