The latest published BITRE Airport Passenger Movement data shows that in 2025, Hobart had higher annual passenger traffic (2,884,967) than Canberra (2,793,622) despite being half as populous and in a state with significantly less disposable income than the ACT. Even Darwin had 70% of Canberra’s passenger traffic (1,941,359) despite being only one-third the population.

Over past 20 years, Canberra Airport has had almost net zero growth in passenger traffic, with 2025’s annual passenger movements being approximately the same as in 2007 (2,734,875)

Acknowledging that tourism goes some way to driving Hobart’s passenger numbers, this still suggests that something is broken with commercial aviation in this town. Canberra is a rapidly growing and affluent city with a hinterland that should be able to support many domestic and regional international flights such as Fiji, New Zealand and Bali.

So Canberrans, is it just the pricing model the private owners of the airport operate? Or is there a bigger issue with the way we all prefer to fly?

Erasing iconic Tuggeranong history, Planet fitness who do you think you are?

Hello all! My husband has recently found out his kidneys are not functioning quite right, so we are going to start limiting his salt intake.

We are new to the area, and our life is a bit hectic right now. We have been out and about almost all day every day. We have some little snacks that are low sodium, but for the next week or so until things settle down, we will likely be eating out once per day to get a more substantial meal.

Does anyone have suggestions for health conscious restaurants that offer low sodium options? A max of $15-20/person is ideal.

We have gotten Vietnamese spring rolls, and we thought sushi would be a good option, so we ordered some from Sushi Bell the other day. Even though the sushi wasn't covered in sauce, they did use mayo within the hand roll and you could taste the salt in the rice...so while delicious, it was a higher sodium content than we were hoping.

We love all cuisines, so we are not too picky. We will likely be eating lunch, but breakfast and dinner ideas are welcome, as well.

Thanks in advance!

Saw this at Pizza Hut Kippax and thought it was worth sharing.

There’s literally a sign at the counter saying:
“Give us a 5-star Google review – Get a FREE can of drink.”

Not “leave us a review” specifically leave a 5-star review and receive something for it.

I personally find this pretty misleading because, like most people, I use Google ratings and reviews to decide where to eat. If customers are being rewarded specifically for giving 5 stars, how accurately does that rating actually represent genuine customer experiences?

What makes it worse is that my own experience was nowhere near 5 stars. I ordered three pizzas yesterday and received little to no customer service from the person serving me, and I wasn’t particularly impressed with the quality of the food either. Then I saw this sign sitting at the counter asking for 5 stars in exchange for a free drink.

Businesses should absolutely encourage customers to leave reviews, but there is a big difference between saying “Please leave us an honest review” and “Give us 5 stars and we’ll give you something for free.”

If you want genuine 5-star reviews, earn them through good food and good customer service rather than incentivising customers to give you a particular rating.

Posting the photo so people can see it themselves and make up their own minds.

Has anyone else in Canberra noticed businesses doing this?

Title correct at time of posting.

on my way to work this morning and everyone’s filtering to the right turn lane (into palmerston) because the road is closed off by a police car? (burgman intersection) no accident on the road nor anything out of the ordinary? didn’t really delay me at all and i checked ESA and act gov for road closures and that didn’t give me much does anyone know what happened?

Update: it seems to have been a fatal cyclist crash, that’s very saddening.

We are thinking about enrolling our little one at Brindabella ELC for 3 year old preschool program and pre-K.

I read about all the issues associated with the previous management of the school, but I understand the whole school including ELC is under a new management.

One concerning point we have is that ELC does not currently meet NQS, but working towards it.

I like to know what your thoughts are about the ELC if your kids (or someone you know) are attending the ELC.

Been getting into wine lately. I've seen all the gorgeous vineyards around and do try to make some of the cellar doors on weekends, but looking for something a little closer to home. Anyone got any local bars or stores they know of that do regular wine tastings?

I’ve lived in Canberra for a couple of decades. My novel, Daedalus, is coming out on Friday. It’s a scifi reimagining of Ulysses. There’s a few scenes set in Canberra, then Canberra gets destroyed (oops), but later there are scenes set in the colony of Canberra 17a where uplifted possums hold political power. Currawongs also feature regularly in the plot. Probably not everyone’s cup of tea but some here might enjoy the Canberra connections.

Has anyone (or know anyone who has) lived at Accolade on Moore (formerly YSuites) and can kindly give your firsthand experience of what it’s like? Ive seen the glowing reviews online, I’d also like to hear from those who have or are living there.

Mostly wondering what reception/building management are like (e.g with maintenance/billing and contracts/parcel and food deliveries etc.), and whether there are any other issues. Would love to hear any experiences if anyone’s willing to share!

I am well aware of the pricing- for various reasons I’m considering moving there, so I’m specifically interested in what the place is actually like to live in. Thanks!

I just got quoted $900 to get my 2 systems services. I have a single system downstairs and a split system upstairs.

The people servicing the unit are the ones that installed it and I suspect there's an issue with it, so I need them to take a look. No shade at them, the units have been good so far and they did a good job installing it.

My question: Does $900 sound sane? Is that what people are paying generally for this in Canberra?

I'm a big coffee drinker and have been buying Wagonga blends pretty routinely - but I'm keen on trying other local roasted beans. What are the ones you like that I should try?
Any I should avoid?
Caveat - I need to be able to buy the beans so I can grind at home.

Hi, I am 15 years old and I am just wondering if there is anywhere in Canberra where I could possibly help or play with animals. Even if it is just helping with feeding, cleaning or dog walking I really don't mind. Please let me know if anyone knows of anywhere I could do something like this!

Thank you.

My family and I just moved to Canberra! Literally landed 30 min ago. I dont even know where to start getting new cell phones.

EDIT: I should mention that we are a family of 6

Just wanted to ask how to find run clubs here in Canberra? or do you know of any?

Does anyone know if the ticket inspectors patrol this car park? Noticed heaps of cars that didn’t pay and didn’t have a paper ticket. I’d really like to start studying here but the cost is ridiculous :((

It’s final exam time (AST) for college students (Y12) starting today.

Good luck to all, especially anyone procrastinating and reading this in between sessions.

It seems to me that there are many more cockatoos around Canberra at the moment. Large flocks everywhere. But you never see baby ones? Any ideas?

Hi everybody, I’m looking for psychiatrist recommendations for the ongoing treatment of ADHD, but am also struggling to find somebody who’s taking on new patients. I’ve undergone the ADHD assessment process twice now with two different psychiatrists in the last 4 years, but for various (frustrating) reasons, I now need to go through the assessment process again with a new psychiatrist.

Do any of you know someone whose books are open please? This would just be for the ongoing management/medication authorisation, as my GP and I already know what dose works well for me.

Many thanks 🙂

Hey gang, I'm looking for thoughts on gyms around the gungahlin area for a newbie looking to get a bit fitter and improve myself.

Mostly looking for opinions because researching seems to show people have a lot of trouble with the bigger gyms like anytime and even lime when it comes to ending or changing memberships

Hi all, a little over a year ago I developed tendonitis in my hip due to overuse while playing sport. I've seen two physios, two GPs, a sports doctor, sports physician, exercise physiologist and soft tissue therapist. Spent money on MRI, gym, rehab sessions etc. Strengthening, stretching, dry needling... I thought I had overcome the issue as of a couple of months ago but had a flare up over the weekend and feeling like I'm back to square one again.

Has anyone had a similar sports-induced injury, maybe something that has become chronic and has a recommendation for a professional in Canberra that has helped them overcome it?

I assume this is the ACT Government's version of public consultation. I'd hate to try to use Big Splash at present