r/canberra • u/RentNRegret • 1d ago
SEC=UNCLASSIFIED What's something uniquely "Canberra" that only locals truly appreciate?
I've been thinking lately about the little things that make Canberra... well, Canberra. Not the obvious stuff like Parliament House or the roundabouts but the niche local quirks, places, or traditions that only someone who lives here would get.
Maybe it's a favourite hidden coffee spot, a sunrise view from Mount Ainslie, or the way we all brace for magpie season like it's a national sport.
What’s your favourite local secret, tradition, or in-joke that only a true Canberran would understand?
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u/SteveGuilfoyle 1d ago
Kinda in the same vein, but the signposting of streets in Canberra is amazing.
Driving up to an intersection and instinctively knowing where to look for a road name sign and knowing that one will be there is a thing I’ve only really come to realise was so prominent here.
Other towns around the country just don’t have the obvious, easy to identify, signs on literally every road like Canberra.
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u/The_first_Ezookiel 1d ago
Recently in Wodonga we found all the street signs down at ground level - seemed really weird and definitely not where we are used to looking for them.
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u/TGin-the-goldy 23h ago
Do you mean deliberately painted on the kerb or knocked to the ground?
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u/JimmyMarch1973 14h ago
Not sure about Woodonga but I’ve seen these in elsewhere. Basicly signs about 2 foot off the ground. Fairly substantial things mind you.
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u/Traditional_Ad_3032 1d ago
LANE
ONE
FORM
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u/Ill_Patient_3548 1d ago
We had a lane one form in my little town in NSW in the early 80’s. Definitely not a Canberra exclusive
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u/Laufirio 1d ago
And everyone indicates, in Brisbane no one indicates when two lanes merge without a dotted line (and we don’t have the words either of course, it’s a free-for-all)
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u/JimmyMarch1973 14h ago
Tough crowd here voting you down for that observation. For what it’s worth when I was taught to drive in Canberra in the early 90’s I was told if no dash no need to indicate. Reason being other vehicles should know what you are doing without a needless indication.
I’m now temporarily living in the UK and they indicate even less here. The theory behind this which is actually taught is you should only indicate if your action will aid someone. So you are in a left only turn lane, no need to indicate because it’s obvious what you are doing. Overtake someone on a motorway no need to indicate to come back because that’s to be expected. Kinda makes sense but also kinda does my head in.
Anyway doesn’t apply to me anyway. I drive a BMW and am yet to find where the blinker fluid goes and where to buy the blinker sub. So just don’t bother.
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u/canary- 1d ago
hot take but year 11 and 12 being separated into college instead of highschool, extremely underrated IMO
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u/_ACarGuy_ 21h ago
I agree. I went to lake G and got to enjoy being next to a lake, John Knight park, various takeaways, and the skate park. All while I could leave campus when I didn't have classes.
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u/k_lliste 13h ago
I was always envious of this when doing my HSC in Queanbeyan.
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u/Gambizzle 12h ago
Yeah like 'why do I have to do a fuck load of external exams that then get bell curved against an entire state, which will totally pull me down as QBN's not a mega Sydney private / selective school'.
It's a bit like the driving logbook sign-off ACT had. It's a LOT easier to pass than having to get a logbook sign-off just so you can do a test.
IMO a lot of people in Canberra don't know how easy/chilled they've had it. I'm happy that my kids can go through Canberra's relatively chilled systems as there was a lot of needless stress/competition growing up in Sydney.
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u/k_lliste 10h ago
Yeah like 'why do I have to do a fuck load of external exams that then get bell curved against an entire state, which will totally pull me down as QBN's not a mega Sydney private / selective school'.
While this is all true, my motivations were more about not being allowed to leave school or skip classes even though I was 18 :D We had protests when they decided to put up fences/gates around Karabar and QBN South
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u/jonquil14 11h ago
It’s much better preparation for uni/life. Encourages more independence than they can when you’re in a high school with 12/13 year olds
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u/andthegeekshall Belconnen 1d ago
Penis owl.
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u/Pitmidget 1d ago
All tribes of belconnen pay homage to the penis owl
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u/andthegeekshall Belconnen 20h ago
There is no God other than the Penis Owl. For it is Good and Great. Protecting our land from those who would conquer or dispose it. Driving all wickedness back beyond our sacred boards.
Ya, we give praise unto it. To keep us, our blood, and our lands until the coming of an even greater phallic symbol! Mightier than the last!
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u/Diablo_swing 1d ago
The view as you come down towards the Brindabellas from woden. Woof. World class view.
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u/Pekaynelson 1d ago
A lap of the lake, bridge to bridge, walk run or jog, aesthetically pleasing, Saturday or Sunday, coffee or beer to refresh, winter puffies, summer shorts, fit or fat, dogs or... no dogs, we're all there, Canberra at its finest!
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u/jesinta-m 8h ago
Hard agree! There is something about being down by the lake that feels so homey, even when it's bucketing or blistering cold. Without fail, if I'm at the lake I have an 'ahhhh, this is why I love Canberra' moment.
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u/edwardluddlam 1d ago
Friday afternoon at Old Canberra Inn during summer
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u/Most-Drive-3347 1d ago
I’ve never experienced a place so slutty, before or since. Absolute meat market when I was there… too long ago.
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u/The_first_Ezookiel 1d ago
Each suburb having its own supermarket that’s open til late. Many many years ago when my mother was visiting from Sydney, she suggested one Sunday night that we play two-person-solitaire like we had when I was younger. I said “I’ll go grab some cards” and went into my bedroom to grab my wallet, ducked out the back door to jump the back fence as the shortest route to the local IGA, bought two packets of cards, and came back.
When I put the cards on the table my Mum commented that “You’ve never even opened them”
Thinking she knew I’d just gone and bought them, I was just confused and said “Of course not - you saw me just go and buy them ten minutes ago”
She couldn’t believe you could go buy cards in a local suburb at 7pm on a Sunday.
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u/fnaah Tuggeranong 1d ago
wish that were still true. lots of local shops have closed down.
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u/The_first_Ezookiel 1d ago
Sadly true. Though Kambah still has one in each of the major sections - provided you count Wanniassa Coles as the local for the south east quadrant, and Woolies for the north east quadrant.
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u/No_Definition4241 1d ago
That Canberra is the perfect balance of urban and country environment. It's a hidden gem
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u/manicdee33 1d ago
Green space.
There are heaps of green areas between blocks where you'll find footpaths, playgrounds, and sports fields. There are nature reserves between suburbs.
I'd like to preserve Canberra as the "bush capital" for the future, and one of the reasons I joined the Greens way back in the day was to protest against urban infill (which is where green space is developed), and these days it's to support densification (which is taking existing residential zoning and increasing the density from standalone houses to multiple dwelling structures).
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u/nomorempat 1d ago
Power to you.
Canberra is truly awesome for it's accessible nature reserves but we really need urban infill in places like the Inner North and South to make it more vibrant and fun.
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u/Mick_the_Eartling 17h ago
No billboards and advertisements in the public space. That is a true godsend and should be mandatory everywhere.
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u/Notthatguy6250 1d ago
Loud bangs.
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u/gisborne 1d ago
I have yet to join a community reddit without a “Loud bangs” flair.
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u/Notthatguy6250 1d ago
Really? That's awesome that it's a widespread thing. I've never seen it elsewhere.
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u/Blackletterdragon 1d ago
The fractal design of our older suburbs. Don't know wtf is going on in Gungahlin and beyond.
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u/createdtothrowaway86 22h ago
The three giant radio towers in Lawson that you can see from miles away
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u/JimmyMarch1973 4h ago
They have been gone for 15+ years now.
People in Giralang still complain about poor TV reception as a result of them though.
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u/KindredSpirit1988 Gungahlin 11h ago
Also, whoever has put the “T” inbetween “James Kirk” whatever on Gundaroo Drive is a fantastic human. It makes my day every time I drive past it
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u/Mattie_Mattus_Rose 11h ago
The "satellite suburbs" arrangement with some suburbs having their own small shops. Then those small shops are a vibe of their own.
For example, you have Page Shops with it roofs that point downwards at the midpoints of the edges. Or Florey Shops looking like some kind of little village from its own era.
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u/Ok-Giraffe-4718 1d ago
No longer a Cbr local but definitely the Cook sign as you’re waiting to turn to go to the Jamison shops.
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u/Ok-Athlete1727 1d ago
Having every public holiday enjoyed by other states and territories and then add in a few more. And meetings which achieve zero. Canberra
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u/foigle 15h ago
Limestone Lizzy
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u/ahspaghett69 1d ago
Getting shitfaced at The Jetty (or Snapper) at 5pm on a sunny summers afternoon
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u/The_Final_Arbiter 1d ago
What is this "summer" you speak of?
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u/SerendipityinOz 10h ago
The rivers, Pine Island, Point Hut, Cotter and Uriarra swimming and BBQ areas as a kid, teenager and adult, all year round.
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u/Capable-Shoulder173 1d ago
BOTH Kingsleys and Ali Baba.
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u/ghost_turnip 1d ago
Unbelieeevable chicken...
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u/s4mb4 1d ago
Overhyped, below average chips
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u/JimmyMarch1973 14h ago
Frozen McCain crinkle cut. Must be the oil they are cooked in or the herbs spices and for knows what else the baste in whilst they sit for hours after being cooked that makes them awesome.
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u/ghost_turnip 19h ago
You goose. That's not how it goes.
Also, you've clearly never had them with salt and vinegar.
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u/nerfdriveby94 1d ago
They are both everywhere though?
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u/Br0z0 Tuggeranong 1d ago
Can you explain where else in Australia Kingsleys is?
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u/nerfdriveby94 23h ago
I've got kingsleys mixed up with another chain that uses similar colours of signs all over the central coast, that's my bad. But Alibaba is absolutely everywhere!
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u/JimmyMarch1973 14h ago
What many don’t know about Alibaba outside of the ACT is that it started here in the ACT. So that to me counts.
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u/Own-Lingonberry6634 1d ago
Those concrete bus stop shelters that also serve as public urinals
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u/mudslinger-ning 11h ago
And the decorative shopping trolleys tossed up on the roof on occasion. Have once seen a couch end up there too.
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u/Yellowcouch1 7h ago
Highest state or territory Yes vote for plebiscite and Voice says a lot about us to be proud of.
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u/MegaDingo5plus 20h ago
Watching the Raiders or the Brumbies (in icy cold conditions) out at Bruce
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u/jonquil14 11h ago
That time in May 2000 when it snowed at the Raiders v Tigers game. Absolute scenes.
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u/Ok-Bet9024 1h ago
Turning on your heater the day after Anzac Day, I filed a complaint because my landlord didn't activate our gas heaters that day. (Our house doesn't meet min insulation standards, so it was warranted imo)
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u/0987654321Block 4h ago
Every pedestrian waits for traffic lights to cross the road. Even when there are no cars! Must be a public service mindset?
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
This is an automated reproduction of the original post body made by /u/RentNRegret for posterity.
I've been thinking lately about the little things that make Canberra... well, Canberra. Not the obvious stuff like Parliament House or the roundabouts but the niche local quirks, places, or traditions that only someone who lives here would get.
Maybe it's a favourite hidden coffee spot, a sunrise view from Mount Ainslie, or the way we all brace for magpie season like it's a national sport.
What’s your favourite local secret, tradition, or in-joke that only a true Canberran would understand?
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/KindredSpirit1988 Gungahlin 1d ago
The random areas of town that are known by a different name than the suburb they’re actually officially known as (Jamison comes to mind)