Not for Bollywood movie shoots; here is why Canberra is the perfect destination for India’s new-age mindful travellers

Many well-known movies have been filmed in Australia, taking advantage of its diverse landscapes and established film industry. Some notable examples include The Matrix, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Great Gatsby, and Mission: Impossible 2. Several films, particularly Bollywood movies, have also been shot in Sydney, utilizing its iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

As spring unfurls its colours across Australia, there’s one city that blossoms into a breathtaking floral paradise, the nation’s capital. Returning for its 38th year from 12 September to 13 October, Floriade, Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring, transforms Canberra’s beautiful Commonwealth Park into a vibrant canvas of more than one million blooms. For those exploring Australia between September and October, this annual festival deserves a top spot on the bucket list. It invites travellers to slow down and immerse themselves in a month-long celebration where art, nature, and community spirit meet. This year’s theme, science and nature**,** encourages visitors to swap gardening gloves for lab coats with hands- on workshops, talks, and interactive exhibits, designed to ignite curiosity.

But Canberra is known to be a perfect destination for slow and soulful sojourn has not yet been touched by either Hollywood or Bollywood. And probably that’s the reason Canberra is the perfect destination for new-age mindful travellers. Here, every path, plate, and moment encourage you to slow down, engage deeply, and return not just with photos, but with stories. Located Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in south-eastern Australia, approximately 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Sydney, Canberra is the perfect place for unhurried travellers.

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 As travel shifts away from mere bucket lists and photo opportunities, a growing number of Indian travellers are embracing slower, more immersive experiences. According to reports, 85 percent of Indian travellers are now willing to spend up to 50 percent more to prioritise meaningful, enriching journeys over rushed itineraries.

For those seeking more meaningful, mindful escapes, Canberra, Australia’s thoughtfully designed capital offers the ideal backdrop. Unlike the rush of big urban hubs, Canberra invites visitors to lean into stillness. A walk-up Mount Ainslie unveils the city’s intentional symmetry, originally where lake, hills, and public spaces come together in quiet harmony, setting the tone for unhurried exploration.

Perfect for architecture enthusiast

For the architecture enthusiast, Canberra’s urban environment is a thoughtful blend of modernist vision and democratic symbolism. The iconic Australian Parliament House, opened in 1988, is one of the most open parliamentary buildings in the world. Nestled into a hill with a grass-covered roof that visitors can walk over, the Parliament House is a powerful symbol of people being above the government. Nearby, the historic Old Parliament House stands as a timeless reminder of Australia’s democratic evolution. Together, these landmarks invite visitors to wander their corridors, admire the interplay of clean lines and heritage facades, and unwind in the curated gardens that surround them. Canberra’s architecture seamlessly integrates with its natural landscape, offering countless pockets to pause whether it’s lakeside over a morning coffee or during an evening stroll as the sun sets behind the skyline.

The calm waters and soft light at dawn and dusk turn the lake into a living canvas, perfect for capturing stunning photographs or simply soaking in the serenity. Commonwealth Park and the gardens surrounding the Old Parliament House bloom seasonally, creating the perfect setting for mindful journaling, sketching, or simply soaking in nature. The National Gallery of Australia’s ‘Skyspace’, best experienced during the early or twilight hours, elevates this connection further inviting visitors to observe light, space, and silence in transformative ways.

Food scene in Canberra

Canberra’s vibrant food scene, embracing a farm-to-table ethos, perfectly complements the spirit of slow travel. From artisanal cafés in Braddon like Barrio Collective to immersive  paddock-to-plate experiences at Beltana Farm, food here fosters connection, not just through flavour, but through people and stories. At the Capital Region Farmers Market, travellers can

engage directly with local farmers and makers, gaining insight into the care behind the produce. For Indian travellers increasingly seeking global culinary stories and experiences, Canberra offers a food culture that is honest, seasonal, and deeply embedded in local collaboration, making every meal a memory.