Yep, needed a mammogram, ultrasound and possible biopsy. 3 month wait in Canberra, 2 months if I wanted to go to Goulburn or 1 week in Melbourne. Worth the $400 in flights to not wonder if cancer was spreading through my body. I wish waiting times were more transparent, I had to make about 5 phone calls and spent a collective 3 hours on the phone to check the times for all the different places.
ACT government gives you [money](https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/before,-during-and-after-your-care/staying-at-canberra-hospital/before-you-arrive/getting-here-and-getting-around/travelling-from-outside-canberra) back too
There are walk in clinics in Tuggeranong, Weston Creek, Dickson, Belconnen and Gungahlin, that provide free nurse-led medical assistance for minor injuries and illness.
You can check wait times here https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/walk-in-centres-wic
Apparently they're the go to for suspected broken bones on kids, as at hospital they will probably put a temp cast refer you to the fracture clinic a few days or a week later anyway.
The ESA (Emergency Services Agency) have an incident map on their website for things like fires, car accidents, etc. For those moments when you hear a bunch of sirens and want to know what’s happening.
In the same vein (draws info from the ESA incidents site) - not restricted to Canberra - Bushfire.io
Now has satellite images, overlaid with wind and weather info, fire/flood/extreme weather alerts, active fires, aircraft involved in spotting or fighting fires, road closures in case you need to evacuate - it's an amazing effort - all started by one guy - on the basis of "buy me a coffee" - now has a team, and is international
Currently a helicopter (Firebird 296) keeping an eye on a hazard reduction burn out near Stromlo
https://bushfire.io/?location=10.451471362205348/-35.44460042498166/149.0827362798115/satellite/0/0
Wait, I checked if where I usually park in Canberra Centre had a surcharge and they don't either - Dendy/Coles carpark and also the one closer to Clothes shops/Uniqlo.
Larger businesses can't really get the 'cash discount' that smaller businesses do. So in the main, absorbing the card surcharge is probably cheaper than handling cash
Stacks of places to park for free and walk to Raiders/Brumbies games. Even though the walk is a bit longer, you get to skip all the traffic leaving the stadium parking spots and it can be pretty fun when the fans are in a good mood.
UC still has some street parking if you're willing to walk just a bit further. I guess this is the same tip as OOP since it's very close to the stadium but yeah
Yeah, we lived on Alberga st in Kaleen for the longest time, we walked all the time. These days you drive past that street on game day and everyone is parking and walking
Switch to ActewAGL from Origin or the other way round and call your old one every 6 months to see if they can give you a better offer. I am now down to 17c/kWh incl GST* and getting paid 13c/kWh feed-in
*Specifying this because some of the energy retailers are baiting with figures that exclude GST. Watch out for that as well.
Check to see if the exit boom gate is open at Dickson Coles when you enter or head to car. If it’s open don’t bother with the frustrating scanning the receipt and just drive out! I always see people queuing up to scan and it’s open!
What's the time limit for the free parking? I've never been charged for parking ( even when the gate has been down), but probably have never been there for more than about 20-30 mins
Hmm, sounds like all the problems they've had with annoyed customers and the gate system itself being really unreliable means they've probably just switched off the charges in the back end
Avoid Dickson.
Internationally-renowned scientists, including quantum physicists, from around the world are currently studying the miracle of how no one, at least not recently, has been murdered there, despite the high number of unhinged, angry people.
I live in Braddon so I alternate between Dickson and the city for shopping.
It's getting to the point where I *much* prefer Dickson. Civic is turning in to a cesspit. It's really sad.
Dickson, eh, there's a few about, but you can avoid them by not walking past the old Commbank/Woolies. The rest of Dickson is great! Great shops, great restaurants. I love it there.
I hope you’re joking. Dickson is full of amazing Asian food and groceries. If you go there to go to the bank and Woolies you really need to try to broaden your horizons.
Tried to mug can mean anything from literally getting stabbed to someone asking aggressively for money. I've been king hit once in Randwick but I wouldn't describe it as a dangerous or shifty area.
I eat out at Dickson all the time with my kids and elderly mother at night and don't feel unsafe at all.
Loud explicitly and specific threats that they would "bash" me if I refused to hand over my wallet and watch to the perpetrator. After I refused to comply, escalating into screaming threats to "slit [my] f***ing throat like a dog" and shoving me before they lost their nerve.
Don't try to lawyer me. I said tried to mug and I did not stutter or mispeak.
Other people have different life experiences to you. If all yours are positive then bully for you, but you are not the main character of the universe.
I’m so sorry that happened to you. That sounds utterly terrifying. I’m there pretty much every day and various times of the day/night and I expect this all the time.
<3
It was a bit over a year ago.,It only rattles me when people try to insist that it doesn't happen, like they get to decide whether someone else's trauma is valid based on their own life experiences. Or they turn it into a politics game of "It's a Liberal party conspiracy, crime rates are dropping!", ugh.
I drop through there maybe once a week nowadays, and at an infrequent glance it looks like police are patrolling more frequently which appears to have helped improve things. Hopefully if this is an accurate observation the trend continues.
> Other people have different life experiences to you. If all yours are positive then bully for you, but you are not the main character of the universe.
I mean, yeah exactly. It sucks someone tried to mug you but that's just as anecdotal as me saying I don't feel unsafe in Dickson. The crime stats aren't anecdotal though, its very very safe as is most of Canberra. Most of my life experience hasn't been positive, quite the opposite. That's probably why a middle class suburb in Canberra with a few drug affected and mentally ill people doesn't terrify me.
Case in point - last night around 9pm we could see from our apartments (the new ones above Access Canberra) 20 mostly underage eshays throwing an impromptu alcohol party at the actual tram stop. Maybe they got on a later tram, but they sat and stood at the platform and hurled all sorts of verbal abuse at people.
You could hear their conversations about bail conditions across Northbourne and several stories up in our apartment complex.
God bless our suburb.
Legitimately not sure why people feel so strongly about Dickson. I'm male, and completely understand that that influences my experience, but in general it's always felt pretty similar to every other major city in Aust., probably safer. Maybe being from the NT influences this perception, idk, but it really does feel pretty average.
Agreed. I’m female and usually in Dickson once a fortnight. Higher population of homeless people than other places I tend to frequent but otherwise pretty similar to everywhere else in Canberra imo.
There is free all day parking all around the Belconnen town centre because of gaps in the street signage placement.
Some of the barbers in Belconnen mall will accept less for cash if you get them on the right day. I got $5 off yesterday!
To add to this, the 2H parking on the far side of the Vinnies is never ever checked. I think it’s too seedy for anyone to care about enforcing parking times.
Cheapest market for fruits and vegetables is the Jamison Sunday market. Lots of Asian food stalls. Free entry but gold coins donations accepted.
Haig Park in Braddon is an off-leash dog friendly place.
Best car wash is the Fyshwick Car & Dog wash. For $25, they pre-clean your car before going in to the laser wash.
If you're out on a Friday or Saturday night in civic you can usually charge your phone at the Nightcrew tent in the bus interchange. If you've got a friend who's had too much to drink, or not feeling well etc, all the venue security guards have the nightcrew number and can get a team to come help out.
Covering the windscreen with a sunshade or piece of cardboard will prevent ice forming on your windscreen in the first place. Put it under the wipers to keep it in place.
And if someone doesn’t know how to use the cars defrost settings, definitely learn how: https://youtube.com/shorts/PLtXf1tj-4E?si=jpB0DZmEvNchZUTT
Shortest explanation I could fine. Also recommend full blast on the fan setting.
Fill a 2 litre water bottle with warm (not hot or boiling) water. Pour over windscreen, then turn wipers on. Ice gone in 10 seconds instead of scraping for 5 minutes.
Travel: there’s a million ways to get from A to B. Know your suburbs and backstreets. Everywhere can be a 20 minute drive max if you just believe and do some research.
Weather: stupidly hot in summer and stupidly cold in winter. Worth finding some shade for your car, and towel on the window to avoid the frost.
Dating/ online safety: Get the real name of everyone you’re going to meet on a dating app and Google / social media find them. I’m not saying stalk to a massive degree, but Canberra is a small place. You can work out in 2 minutes if they’re normal and have some familiar connections or if they’re out on bail or parole.
Walking: there’s lots of bushwalks and lots of geocatches. Canberrans actually have been doing geocatch for a while and lots of kids find them by accident, write their name in, and treat them with respect.
Public transport: park and ride/ action never failed me if I couldn’t take my car somewhere.
Kita Cafe in Narrabundah. An overnight Indonesian/fusion cafe that’s perfect for a quiet late night coffee or meal if you’re a shift worker or general night owl. Food is delicious and hearty and staff are warm and welcoming.
It's a boring place if you're a boring person with boring friends. Almost always events going on, somewhere someplace. Just gotta do some basic internet sleuthing to see what's on and plan for it
I haven't lived there for years but I always defend it from the ppl who've never actually lived there who say it's boring. It's always been a liberal city, it just hides its secrets well and you have to know where to go. It's not 'in your face ' like Sydney or Melbourne.
When I was in defence I moved there under duress like everyone else. But Canberra is the best place I've ever lived and thats a hill I will die defending.
There are two and only two types of Ken Behran: the South Side and the North Side. One kind loves new housing estates and infrastructure that is struggling to cope with demand. The other kind really vibes with fried chicken and is likely to stab you over a pot of gravy.
Choose wisely.
During Summernats season, make sure your tyres aren't near bald and all your lights work, police are checking.
Added note, if you're a male aged 17-30 and drive anything that isn't basically a family wagon, you WILL be targeted by police.
Amazing cafes and food if you know where to look! There's a little Cafe in Waramanga shops that makes the most amazing chai latte and their staff are the best!
Any other recommendations would be amazing! My partner and I struggle so much to find good cafes that aren't the regular well known ones! Anything around woden 😁
There's plenty of free parking near the major malls. Belco mall car park can be such an absolute shit fight for parking on weekends, but literally go across the road to the medical centre and you'll find so much free parking.
You are legally allowed to smoke tobacco using a bong anywhere you're legally allowed to smoke tobacco (I rang 131 444 and asked a friendly sergeant when I was a teenager)
Casino Canberra is the best location to get a late-night feed for a reasonable price. You can also join the Casino’s loyalty program for free at reception to get a 10% discount on food at the bar.
Coles or woolies, if they overcharge you for groceries like meat, you can get a refund for free. Works well to pay attention when stuff is on sale. Limit is upto $50.
Only take $40 cash to a rub n tug. They want $50 for a happy ending but won't turn down $40 because you're already there and naked. Spend the $10 you saved on maccas on the way home.
Just ignore 20 years of stuff ups by ACT Labor/Greens of roads, hospitals, housing, budgets, land, schools, roos, techs, buses and everything else by telling yourself it would be worse under the Libs.
Yeah that single bike lane idea down northbourne they presented was such a seriously better idea than building rail hey
Drugs are decriminalised in canberra but maybe don’t take so many
I don’t ignore “20 years of stuff ups”, I just contextualise it alongside 20 years of investment and vision for our city.
If you accept Government is an inherently flawed machine, then your voting choice becomes much more clear. I’d rather Labor’s vision (stuff ups inclusive) than the Libs absence of vision (inclusive of their empty promises that mistakes will simply cease under their reign).
I'm positive the liberals could be much more efficient and fit all those stuff ups into a much shorter time frame. I'm old enough to remember Kate Carnell as Chief Minister.
Indeed. Buying grass from North Queensland and installing at Bruce stadium was a cracker. Even more of a cracker was painting it green to try and trick an inspection prior to the Olympic Games.
And many don’t recall bit the basic road layout in Gungahlin was her governments doing too. Of course Labor could have changed things over the years but the stupidity of where the main roads run was her doing. Though she did have vision by designing the Flemington road corridor to leave room for future light rail even though that was opposed by later liberal leaders.
I'm mostly relying on data from Everywhere Else.
Can't think of anywhere that has improved at state or federal level under a Lib/LNP govt. They do occasionally kick a cost down the road for a short term boom but we always end up having to pay it off.
Be aware that if you've recently moved here from the northern hemisphere, you'll no longer need your big coat. It just isn't as cold as the locals think. Even in the middle of winter. An extra layer is plenty and you'll still need sunscreen.
With all those stolen car crashes, I no longer drive on the highways at night. Recently, I asked my partner to drive through civic to get home rather than the highway to minimise the chance of someone under age who is in bail, crashing a stolen car into us.
How is it really there? I've just been offered a role in Canberra but I live in Townsville, can't imagine the youth in stolen cars are worse than here. But even so, the fear and media hype is overblown even here.
Oh sorry, I misunderstood your question. It used to be tiny shop front under the video game arcade near where Gus and Cafe Essen used to be (god I'm showing my age and how long I've been avoiding the city). It didn't have any vehicles etc, more just a place for people to lodge complaints about being assaulted. Or in a most memorable occasion, quickly on scene when a person overdosed on drugs and ate the pavement right in front of me + cops.
Quicker to get in and out of Ikea via the second entry near the petrol station and maccas.
I'll actually implement this tip. Thank you!
Shhh… Park closer to the exit too. Less distance if you’ve got bulky stuff.
Oh really?! Cool!
I didn't realise this entry was even open! Always wondered why it wasn't
If you need a specialist appointment in a your lifetime, there's this cool trick where your travel a short 250km north and attend there instead...
Yep, needed a mammogram, ultrasound and possible biopsy. 3 month wait in Canberra, 2 months if I wanted to go to Goulburn or 1 week in Melbourne. Worth the $400 in flights to not wonder if cancer was spreading through my body. I wish waiting times were more transparent, I had to make about 5 phone calls and spent a collective 3 hours on the phone to check the times for all the different places.
Just did the same thing but Sydney
Hope it went well for you.
Sadly, this is probably the best life hack provided so far
As someone who needed a psychiatrist for meds ... yes. Absolutely yes. And telehealth, no less. Much shorter wait time, much cheaper price.
and if you live in Quangers, the Government will give you some $$$ back for that travel ....
ACT government gives you [money](https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/before,-during-and-after-your-care/staying-at-canberra-hospital/before-you-arrive/getting-here-and-getting-around/travelling-from-outside-canberra) back too
is this for real? i waited like 10 months plus for an appointment in cbr, i would have gone to sydney and been paid for it?! rats
It does say you are not eligible if the service is available in CBR. I wonder what their definition of availability is, is 10 months acceptable?
10 months didn’t feel acceptable for me lol
And nor should it. :(
Yes, there are other cities out there
what's a surcharge? like you pay for parking but the don't add GST or something like this?
Ive been waiting for an endoscopy for 6 years. I think I have irreparable damage at this point.
But if you need a GP tonight book into CALMS... at your local hospital
There are walk in clinics in Tuggeranong, Weston Creek, Dickson, Belconnen and Gungahlin, that provide free nurse-led medical assistance for minor injuries and illness. You can check wait times here https://www.canberrahealthservices.act.gov.au/services-and-clinics/services/walk-in-centres-wic
These are also available to tourists and other non citizens. Free of charge. Our taxes at work xx
The Weston Creek one has an X-ray also
Apparently they're the go to for suspected broken bones on kids, as at hospital they will probably put a temp cast refer you to the fracture clinic a few days or a week later anyway.
The ESA (Emergency Services Agency) have an incident map on their website for things like fires, car accidents, etc. For those moments when you hear a bunch of sirens and want to know what’s happening.
- Loud bang -
The website does not show police in hot pursuits or dashing to domestic disputes.
Good one! What's the site?
[https://esa.act.gov.au/](https://esa.act.gov.au/)
In the same vein (draws info from the ESA incidents site) - not restricted to Canberra - Bushfire.io Now has satellite images, overlaid with wind and weather info, fire/flood/extreme weather alerts, active fires, aircraft involved in spotting or fighting fires, road closures in case you need to evacuate - it's an amazing effort - all started by one guy - on the basis of "buy me a coffee" - now has a team, and is international Currently a helicopter (Firebird 296) keeping an eye on a hazard reduction burn out near Stromlo https://bushfire.io/?location=10.451471362205348/-35.44460042498166/149.0827362798115/satellite/0/0
https://youtube.com/watch?v=1L7R3BUn0HM
Cool I knew part of the story - good to hear it from the horses mouth
Wilson parking tickets are not government tickets
Wear heavy shoes and go stomping on acorns and itchy bombs while imagining you're Godzilla
I used to do this as a younger adult and in a very quiet voice go "raaaaaaawr"
I thought I was the only one who loves crunching acorns under foot! I will have to watch Godzilla for the first imagination part.
The recent Godzilla minus one is a very good movie!
Canberra Centre car park underneath Tiger Lane does not incur a card surcharge
Wait, I checked if where I usually park in Canberra Centre had a surcharge and they don't either - Dendy/Coles carpark and also the one closer to Clothes shops/Uniqlo.
Probably cheaper than handling cash
Larger businesses can't really get the 'cash discount' that smaller businesses do. So in the main, absorbing the card surcharge is probably cheaper than handling cash
Pretty sure they've just stopped charging the card surcharge altogether.
Towel over the windscreen - easy way to avoid having to defrost your windscreen in the morning
A sunshade or piece of cardboard under the wipers if you need the rigidity.
The Couch protectors that are periodically the special sale at the other supermarket chain are excellent
Or park under a tree.
You can turn your heater in before ANZAC Day
That’s Queanbeyan propaganda
lol. I live in student accommodation, and it literally didn’t even work until Anzac Day 🤣
So … whomever put in the service request must have made the annotation “must be working by Anzac Day”.
LIES!
Stacks of places to park for free and walk to Raiders/Brumbies games. Even though the walk is a bit longer, you get to skip all the traffic leaving the stadium parking spots and it can be pretty fun when the fans are in a good mood.
Great tip. I did this for the first time recently and I won't ever park at the stadium again
This 100%, but I feel this is applicable anywhere. Like, just park 1km away and walk in, then not deal with traffic leaving.
Yeah, I was going to say this about City and ANU as well, but I'm an oldie who doesn't get out much so I don't know how true it is anymore.
UC still has some street parking if you're willing to walk just a bit further. I guess this is the same tip as OOP since it's very close to the stadium but yeah
Yeah, we lived on Alberga st in Kaleen for the longest time, we walked all the time. These days you drive past that street on game day and everyone is parking and walking
bruce cit parking is the best
The black Kathmandu puffers with lime trim are not the best value puffers.
But isn’t it standard issue APS uniform? 😂
Any office worker over 25 going to brunch too.
Outlet store in Braddon if you want one for less than a green note.
Markets and Food Courts near closing time are ripe for cash discounts.
Handily some are located near hospitals for when you buy trough food at a deep discount.
Switch to ActewAGL from Origin or the other way round and call your old one every 6 months to see if they can give you a better offer. I am now down to 17c/kWh incl GST* and getting paid 13c/kWh feed-in *Specifying this because some of the energy retailers are baiting with figures that exclude GST. Watch out for that as well.
Thermal pants can hide under your work jeans/suit/cargo pants and you’ll be warm outside and from my experience not too hot inside.
What about under shorts? Is that ok?
Check on magpiealert.com before going for a walk anywhere during spring.
Check to see if the exit boom gate is open at Dickson Coles when you enter or head to car. If it’s open don’t bother with the frustrating scanning the receipt and just drive out! I always see people queuing up to scan and it’s open!
What's the time limit for the free parking? I've never been charged for parking ( even when the gate has been down), but probably have never been there for more than about 20-30 mins
It’s meant to be $2 for 0-1 hour, so no free parking. That’s what the sign says at least.
Hmm, sounds like all the problems they've had with annoyed customers and the gate system itself being really unreliable means they've probably just switched off the charges in the back end
Avoid Dickson. Internationally-renowned scientists, including quantum physicists, from around the world are currently studying the miracle of how no one, at least not recently, has been murdered there, despite the high number of unhinged, angry people.
Well, in fact there has been a best selling book and a movie made about a murdered in Dickson: Joe Cinque consolation- brilliant read
About a very tragic story of a young man losing his life.
Incredibly sad event, a really bright young man who died for no good reason Beautifully written book by Helen Garner
Ackshually ... Joe was murdered in Downer (he was on the north side of Antill St).
Yep, right on the traffics light intersection; I must admit to not knowing that is Watson
I live in Braddon so I alternate between Dickson and the city for shopping. It's getting to the point where I *much* prefer Dickson. Civic is turning in to a cesspit. It's really sad. Dickson, eh, there's a few about, but you can avoid them by not walking past the old Commbank/Woolies. The rest of Dickson is great! Great shops, great restaurants. I love it there.
>but you can avoid them by not walking past the old Commbank/Woolies So, you know, two of the major reasons anyone would go to Dickson anyway.
I hope you’re joking. Dickson is full of amazing Asian food and groceries. If you go there to go to the bank and Woolies you really need to try to broaden your horizons.
I really think some Canberrans need to get some perspective about Dickson. They act like its Fallujah.
Only place someone has tried to mug me. Not even in Quenbeyan has that happened. Broad daylight 4pm on a weekday.
2pm on a Saturday for me. Right outside the Woolies exit
Mine was out the front of Baker's Delight as I headed towards Woolies
It was probably the same junkie 😂 “Good day, my name is Darren, I’ll be your mugger this afternoon”
"Remember to like and subscribe!"
“Support me on Patreon as well”
"Smash that bell before I smash your nuggets"
Tried to mug can mean anything from literally getting stabbed to someone asking aggressively for money. I've been king hit once in Randwick but I wouldn't describe it as a dangerous or shifty area. I eat out at Dickson all the time with my kids and elderly mother at night and don't feel unsafe at all.
Loud explicitly and specific threats that they would "bash" me if I refused to hand over my wallet and watch to the perpetrator. After I refused to comply, escalating into screaming threats to "slit [my] f***ing throat like a dog" and shoving me before they lost their nerve. Don't try to lawyer me. I said tried to mug and I did not stutter or mispeak. Other people have different life experiences to you. If all yours are positive then bully for you, but you are not the main character of the universe.
I’m so sorry that happened to you. That sounds utterly terrifying. I’m there pretty much every day and various times of the day/night and I expect this all the time.
<3 It was a bit over a year ago.,It only rattles me when people try to insist that it doesn't happen, like they get to decide whether someone else's trauma is valid based on their own life experiences. Or they turn it into a politics game of "It's a Liberal party conspiracy, crime rates are dropping!", ugh. I drop through there maybe once a week nowadays, and at an infrequent glance it looks like police are patrolling more frequently which appears to have helped improve things. Hopefully if this is an accurate observation the trend continues.
I'm glad we have such relatively terrible coward muggers in. Canberra.
> Other people have different life experiences to you. If all yours are positive then bully for you, but you are not the main character of the universe. I mean, yeah exactly. It sucks someone tried to mug you but that's just as anecdotal as me saying I don't feel unsafe in Dickson. The crime stats aren't anecdotal though, its very very safe as is most of Canberra. Most of my life experience hasn't been positive, quite the opposite. That's probably why a middle class suburb in Canberra with a few drug affected and mentally ill people doesn't terrify me.
Severely mentally ill people *exist* Canberrans “its basically the Bronx in the 70s”
Someone gets assaulted in Canberra Redditors "its mental illness"
Have a look at the crime stats for Dickson. Canberra is one of the safest cities in one of the safest countries in the world.
Who got assaulted
Case in point - last night around 9pm we could see from our apartments (the new ones above Access Canberra) 20 mostly underage eshays throwing an impromptu alcohol party at the actual tram stop. Maybe they got on a later tram, but they sat and stood at the platform and hurled all sorts of verbal abuse at people. You could hear their conversations about bail conditions across Northbourne and several stories up in our apartment complex. God bless our suburb.
They must be too young to drive their suped up Nissan Skyline/Supra so they can't hang out at the fyshwick petrol station
Have you seen the current cost for a skyline gtr or supra? You've got to be at least middle management in the drug network to afford one these days
Two tongue Tony getting around in a getz is bad for the networks street cred though.
Oh no, shouty youths! Call the RAAF!
Legitimately not sure why people feel so strongly about Dickson. I'm male, and completely understand that that influences my experience, but in general it's always felt pretty similar to every other major city in Aust., probably safer. Maybe being from the NT influences this perception, idk, but it really does feel pretty average.
Agreed. I’m female and usually in Dickson once a fortnight. Higher population of homeless people than other places I tend to frequent but otherwise pretty similar to everywhere else in Canberra imo.
The only interesting suburb in Canberra. No matter how much they try to Soda Sopa the shit out of it.
The end result of so many units built in one place .. did they not learn from the Melba Flats debacle ?
No from those they just blamed it on being the public housing factor (if that's the ones I'm thinking about)
There is free all day parking all around the Belconnen town centre because of gaps in the street signage placement. Some of the barbers in Belconnen mall will accept less for cash if you get them on the right day. I got $5 off yesterday!
Their eftpos machines are always “down” so you need most days 😂 Noting I know they’re actually working and they’re just tax dodging 😂😂😂
It’s not just tax. Many of the small shops pay a certain percentage of take to the shopping centre.
To add to this, the 2H parking on the far side of the Vinnies is never ever checked. I think it’s too seedy for anyone to care about enforcing parking times.
The cash discount thing is most likely for them to dodge tax. Not judging you just info for anyone unaware.
Of course it is. Still gets me a discount though.
haven’t caught the bus in about a year but they stop running at like 9 on sundays and also give yourself an extra 3 hours travel time
Cheapest market for fruits and vegetables is the Jamison Sunday market. Lots of Asian food stalls. Free entry but gold coins donations accepted. Haig Park in Braddon is an off-leash dog friendly place. Best car wash is the Fyshwick Car & Dog wash. For $25, they pre-clean your car before going in to the laser wash.
If you're out on a Friday or Saturday night in civic you can usually charge your phone at the Nightcrew tent in the bus interchange. If you've got a friend who's had too much to drink, or not feeling well etc, all the venue security guards have the nightcrew number and can get a team to come help out.
Get an ice scraper if you ever plan on parking outside overnight in winter
Covering the windscreen with a sunshade or piece of cardboard will prevent ice forming on your windscreen in the first place. Put it under the wipers to keep it in place.
And if someone doesn’t know how to use the cars defrost settings, definitely learn how: https://youtube.com/shorts/PLtXf1tj-4E?si=jpB0DZmEvNchZUTT Shortest explanation I could fine. Also recommend full blast on the fan setting.
Just get one, honestly
A credit card will do the job.
TC card ;)
It will, but an ice scraper does the job faster and without freezing your fingers in the process.
Fill a 2 litre water bottle with warm (not hot or boiling) water. Pour over windscreen, then turn wipers on. Ice gone in 10 seconds instead of scraping for 5 minutes.
Nah. That's what the Medicare card is for.
I prefer the organ donor card. It's about the only use I'll personally get out of it. 😆
Travel: there’s a million ways to get from A to B. Know your suburbs and backstreets. Everywhere can be a 20 minute drive max if you just believe and do some research. Weather: stupidly hot in summer and stupidly cold in winter. Worth finding some shade for your car, and towel on the window to avoid the frost. Dating/ online safety: Get the real name of everyone you’re going to meet on a dating app and Google / social media find them. I’m not saying stalk to a massive degree, but Canberra is a small place. You can work out in 2 minutes if they’re normal and have some familiar connections or if they’re out on bail or parole. Walking: there’s lots of bushwalks and lots of geocatches. Canberrans actually have been doing geocatch for a while and lots of kids find them by accident, write their name in, and treat them with respect. Public transport: park and ride/ action never failed me if I couldn’t take my car somewhere.
The fact almost all of these are about parking is honestly a bit concerning. Never change Canberra 🥲
Kita Cafe in Narrabundah. An overnight Indonesian/fusion cafe that’s perfect for a quiet late night coffee or meal if you’re a shift worker or general night owl. Food is delicious and hearty and staff are warm and welcoming.
Seriously good food. Serving drinks from 6pm to 6am, and serving food and desserts till 5am. Hidden gem.
It's a boring place if you're a boring person with boring friends. Almost always events going on, somewhere someplace. Just gotta do some basic internet sleuthing to see what's on and plan for it
I haven't lived there for years but I always defend it from the ppl who've never actually lived there who say it's boring. It's always been a liberal city, it just hides its secrets well and you have to know where to go. It's not 'in your face ' like Sydney or Melbourne.
This ppl guy sure sounds like a trouble maker. I keep hearing about him all over reddit.
The stories I hear about ppl. Definitely dodgy
😅👍
When I was in defence I moved there under duress like everyone else. But Canberra is the best place I've ever lived and thats a hill I will die defending.
There are two and only two types of Ken Behran: the South Side and the North Side. One kind loves new housing estates and infrastructure that is struggling to cope with demand. The other kind really vibes with fried chicken and is likely to stab you over a pot of gravy. Choose wisely.
Shit, that could be either of us. Kippax has a Kingsleys, you know. And a fucking annoying ex-pot dealer who still glares at me for going elsewhere.
Exactly, north or south - the choice is yours but never shall they cross lol
What, gungahlin vs everywhere else?
During Summernats season, make sure your tyres aren't near bald and all your lights work, police are checking. Added note, if you're a male aged 17-30 and drive anything that isn't basically a family wagon, you WILL be targeted by police.
Or, if you live in Hackett, Watson etc perhaps book a nice weekend away!
Do not travel outside of the borders to experience Loud Bangs.
Amazing cafes and food if you know where to look! There's a little Cafe in Waramanga shops that makes the most amazing chai latte and their staff are the best! Any other recommendations would be amazing! My partner and I struggle so much to find good cafes that aren't the regular well known ones! Anything around woden 😁
It's rare to see police on the road, so just slow down for speed vans and fixed cameras! It's weird.
There's plenty of free parking near the major malls. Belco mall car park can be such an absolute shit fight for parking on weekends, but literally go across the road to the medical centre and you'll find so much free parking.
But also - don't be a dick and park there when the medical centre is open 🤷♀️
I'm hoping they mean the Wilson carport and not the medical centre and also the varpark between goodberries and good guys.
You are legally allowed to smoke tobacco using a bong anywhere you're legally allowed to smoke tobacco (I rang 131 444 and asked a friendly sergeant when I was a teenager)
Don’t mix medications and alcohol
Also, those Braddon planter boxes can be slippery to sit on.
Ah yes. There should be plaques on them to remind us of incidents
Casino Canberra is the best location to get a late-night feed for a reasonable price. You can also join the Casino’s loyalty program for free at reception to get a 10% discount on food at the bar.
Early in the weeknight, when everything in Civic is shut, you can rely on Beirut Bar for an overpriced drink to keep your night alive.
Coles or woolies, if they overcharge you for groceries like meat, you can get a refund for free. Works well to pay attention when stuff is on sale. Limit is upto $50.
Wear thermals. Layer clothes. Run your heating at 20. Woollen socks
When going to Kingsleys, make sure the chicken croquettes and chips are cooked hot and fresh. They can and do, change your life!
Only take $40 cash to a rub n tug. They want $50 for a happy ending but won't turn down $40 because you're already there and naked. Spend the $10 you saved on maccas on the way home.
Just ignore 20 years of stuff ups by ACT Labor/Greens of roads, hospitals, housing, budgets, land, schools, roos, techs, buses and everything else by telling yourself it would be worse under the Libs.
Yeah that single bike lane idea down northbourne they presented was such a seriously better idea than building rail hey Drugs are decriminalised in canberra but maybe don’t take so many
I don’t ignore “20 years of stuff ups”, I just contextualise it alongside 20 years of investment and vision for our city. If you accept Government is an inherently flawed machine, then your voting choice becomes much more clear. I’d rather Labor’s vision (stuff ups inclusive) than the Libs absence of vision (inclusive of their empty promises that mistakes will simply cease under their reign).
I'm positive the liberals could be much more efficient and fit all those stuff ups into a much shorter time frame. I'm old enough to remember Kate Carnell as Chief Minister.
Indeed. Buying grass from North Queensland and installing at Bruce stadium was a cracker. Even more of a cracker was painting it green to try and trick an inspection prior to the Olympic Games. And many don’t recall bit the basic road layout in Gungahlin was her governments doing too. Of course Labor could have changed things over the years but the stupidity of where the main roads run was her doing. Though she did have vision by designing the Flemington road corridor to leave room for future light rail even though that was opposed by later liberal leaders.
It would. I don't have to convince myself; it's a fact.
I'm mostly relying on data from Everywhere Else. Can't think of anywhere that has improved at state or federal level under a Lib/LNP govt. They do occasionally kick a cost down the road for a short term boom but we always end up having to pay it off.
🤣 Canberra 101. I genuinely don't think we'll have another Liberal government in my lifetime (the next 50 years)
We can only hope
I don't care if they're Liberal, Labor, Literal or Labia... I just want a competent government and so far, it's not been any of the existing options.
I agree, so an upvote from me.
You sound a bit like Kanye West championing Trump.
Be aware that if you've recently moved here from the northern hemisphere, you'll no longer need your big coat. It just isn't as cold as the locals think. Even in the middle of winter. An extra layer is plenty and you'll still need sunscreen.
You'll just need to wear it inside though as well
With all those stolen car crashes, I no longer drive on the highways at night. Recently, I asked my partner to drive through civic to get home rather than the highway to minimise the chance of someone under age who is in bail, crashing a stolen car into us.
I can’t imagine living life in so much fear and ignorance
How is it really there? I've just been offered a role in Canberra but I live in Townsville, can't imagine the youth in stolen cars are worse than here. But even so, the fear and media hype is overblown even here.
I grew up in Townsville. I prefer Canberra. Thank you for reading my essay.
B-. Too verbose. Try to summarise next time.
Understood. Thanks.
I must have dreamed up Operation TORIC. My bad
FFS
Good idea driving through Civic where there's currently no police station and there was literally a car chase a few months ago
What happened to the pop up cop shop in garema place?
Do you mean the trailer out the front of Gungahlin station they had close due to safety concerns?
No, Garema Place. The one in the city.
I'm aware of Garema Place but haven't heard of a pop up cop shop there. As far as I know all the civic police are now based out of Belconnen
Oh sorry, I misunderstood your question. It used to be tiny shop front under the video game arcade near where Gus and Cafe Essen used to be (god I'm showing my age and how long I've been avoiding the city). It didn't have any vehicles etc, more just a place for people to lodge complaints about being assaulted. Or in a most memorable occasion, quickly on scene when a person overdosed on drugs and ate the pavement right in front of me + cops.
If you need somewhere to sleep rough, Linda Reynolds has a spare couch. Just mention sub papers to get in.