A Guide to Alivio Tourist Park in Canberra That’ll Make You Book Your Next Vacation Here Immediately
From time to time, I book a staycation in Canberra just to get outside of the house and take advantage of all the world-class amenities included in the package. However, I’ve been getting bored of the same old hotels that I’ve been to.
Luckily, a friend recently recommended a stay at Alivio Tourist Park. She advertised it as a getaway that’s equal parts calming and invigorating.
And boy, was she right. This large and scenic park has a ton of fun facilities that’ll get the blood going, as well as impressive views and activities perfect for a relaxing weekend.
There was so much stuff to do that I decided to write it all down in this handy guide. Just continue reading below to know how you can make the most out of your stay at Canberra’s Alivio Tourist Park.
Where is Alivio Tourist Park?
Alivio Tourist Park is located at 20 Kunzea Street, O’Connor ACT 2602. This is only around 5 minutes away from Canberra’s central business district (CBD).
The park spans over 7 hectares and is surrounded by picturesque green hills.
How to Get to Alivio Tourist Park
Via Bus: The closest bus stop to Alivio Tourist Park is a 15-minute walk away. Transport routes 50 and 51 can get you there.
Via Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service: Call a taxi or find one using your preferred ride-sharing app (like Uber). Tell your driver that you wish to get to Alivio Tourist Park and they’ll take you there right away.
Via Private Car: Set your GPS to Alivio Tourist Park to find the best directions going there. Upon arrival, head to reception first then you can park right outside of your reserved accommodation.
What to Do in Alivio Tourist Park
Choose among the park’s stellar accommodations
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Alivio Tourist Park offers a variety of accommodations, fit for any type of vacation. Depending on the number of guests in your group, you can choose among their cabins and villas, or stay in an RV at their caravan sites.
Their cabins come with a complete kitchenette that has a full-sized fridge, oven, cooktops, and wares. These sleep 2 to 6 people, with a main bedroom and bunk beds.
As for their villas, these have spacious rooms and a private outdoor balcony that offers beautiful views of the bushlands. These have multiple bedrooms that can accommodate 4 to 8 people in a group.
Meanwhile, their drive-through caravan sites provide power, water, and drainage. They only have limited lots for this so better reserve as soon as possible. All of these are covered by the park’s free wifi.
Upon booking, you can pre-order an arrival pack that’ll welcome you when you get there. These are full of snacks, beverages, and other goodies you can enjoy during your stay.
Have some quality bonding time with the family by the pool
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Out of all the family-friendly amenities available at Alivio Tourist Park, the pool and playgrounds tend to be the most popular. These areas are where kids can make new friends while their parents relax and get their snack on.
The playground has plenty of equipment where kids can run around and let their imaginations go wild. Here, they can safely climb, swing, and slide to their heart’s desire.
For a more refreshing time, the pool is perfect on warm, sunny days. It’s divided into two parts, with the main pool being deeper for adults, while kids can enjoy the smaller, shallower pool.
These pools are right beside the park restaurant, The Verandah, so you can order some yummy treats as you lounge poolside. They also have a bar with some delicious cocktails for the grown-ups who don’t have little ones to look after.
Just make sure to wear sunscreen before going to these places if you want to avoid looking red for the rest of your stay.
Hit the trails with a mountain bike
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One of the biggest perks of staying at Alivio Tourist Park is that it’s right beside Black Mountain and Bruce Ridge. This gives guests access to trails that are fit for hiking or biking.
Bruce Ridge is a bushland setting that’s steadily gaining popularity among nature lovers. Its trails are used by many for running, mountain biking, or even dog walking.
On the other hand, Black Mountain is known for being one of the most diverse wildlife havens. It has over 100 bird species, 500 plant types, 5000 kinds of insects, and the occasional sun-bathing reptile.
Frequent hikers and bikers recommend visiting the Black Mountain trails during the spring or early summer to see colorful wildflowers in full bloom.
Whichever trail you choose, you can do so with a mountain bike. The park has a mountain bike workstation near the main building where you can pump tires, adjust any of the parts, or hose off your bike before and after you visit the trails.
Have non-stop fun at the rec room
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Alivio Tourist Park has a secret weapon to keep families from being glued to their devices whenever they stay here. Every time there’s a school holiday, they convert the group dining hall into a recreation room.
Here, they set up lots of fun stuff for everyone to play with. This includes air hockey, a pool table, table tennis, giant Jenga and giant Connect Four, mini indoor rock climbing for small kids, and more.
But just in case your stay doesn’t align with a school holiday, there’s still something for you.
Guests can request some classic board games at any time for free from reception. You can spend hours with your loved ones buying properties with Monopoly, laying down +4s in Uno, or figuring out what weapon Colonel Mustard used in Clue.
It’s a great way to spend a pleasant afternoon without any screen time.
Craft a fabulous picnic with the camp kitchen
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Professional and aspiring chefs will be more than happy with Alivio Tourist Park’s camp kitchen. It’s a communal kitchen, so everyone is welcome to prepare their meals here.
Everything is regularly cleaned, meaning the area is always ready for the next cook. Plus, it’s modern, spacious, and well-equipped so that you can easily create your next culinary masterpiece.
It’s also right next to a dining area where you can enjoy meals with your family. They’ve got TVs set up where you can catch up on your shows or watch your favorite team play a match.
Those looking for smokier tastes can use the barbecue areas nearby. It’s got lots of shade so your time using the barbie can be as comfortable as possible.
The park also has herb gardens where guests are free to get whatever they need. Whether it’s to spice up your meat or some fresh mint for your drinks, you can find that extra kick right here.
Show off your athleticism with a variety of sports
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You don’t have to join some expensive training camp to get into competitive sports. Just book a stay at Alivio Tourist Park and take advantage of their impressive facilities.
They offer a variety of sports for all ages. You’ll find that the park has well-maintained courts for basketball, tennis, and volleyball.
On the other hand, those who’d rather not run around so much can enjoy table tennis and foosball. These are both great ways to get into the competitive spirit without breaking a sweat.
So regardless of whether you’re a pro or barely know how to play, everyone is welcome to ace, slam dunk, score goals, or even just chase some balls around at this park.
Where to Eat near Alivio Tourist Park
The Verandah
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Address: 20 Kunzea Street, O’Connor ACT 2602
Phone: +61 2 6247 5466
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday – 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM
The Verandah is the restaurant behind the fantastic breakfast buffet served every day from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM inside Alivio Tourist Park. Guests can instantly brighten up mornings with their mouth-watering bacon, eggs, sausages, muffins, and more.
But breakfast isn’t the only thing they’re good at, because you definitely shouldn’t miss their dinner menu either. They offer some of the best dishes from a variety of cuisines.
Some of their most filling options would be their pizza, the katsu curry, and the pulled pork tacos. All of these go well with the locally brewed beer that they offer.
Those who’d prefer something more sophisticated can also choose from their nice selection of wines and cocktails.
They’ve also got plenty of seating to accommodate big groups. Doesn’t matter if you’re eating solo or dining with a group of 18, they’ve got lots of space and food for you here.
Courgette Restaurant
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Address: 54 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: +61 2 6247 4042
Pricing: $$$
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
Courgette Restaurant believes that the key to a good restaurant is fresh ingredients and simplicity. This shines in their modern European menu, with its outstanding dishes and exquisite flavors.
Everyone who goes here ends up recommending their 3 or 5-course degustation menu. It’s the best way to sample an array of the chef’s offerings, paired with their excellent wine.
This restaurant has such great attention to detail, even beyond the way they present their food. In fact, the tables are so carefully placed that the establishment never feels crowded even when it’s busy.
The cherry on top is the impeccable service and the great atmosphere. Dining here is an absolute treat that one should indulge in every once in a while.
BentSpoke Brewing Co.
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Address: 48/38 Mort Street, Braddon ACT 2612
Phone: +61 2 6257 5220
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
BentSpoke Brewing Co. is all about being adventurous. From its brew selection to its pub menu, it’s for those looking for something out of the ordinary.
If you’re not sure where to start, you can just approach one of their staff members about what their favorite brew is and order that. They’re very friendly and you may even learn about the place’s decor, such as their unique custom tap handles.
Of course, you’ve got to get some food with their beverages and they’ve got an out-of-this-world menu. We dare you to try their Fish Wings or the Pigs Ear Burger, which taste much better than they sound.
But for the faint of heart, they’ve got great classic tacos, salads, and sandwiches.
Those who thoroughly enjoyed their drinks can also purchase any of their craft beers to take home in a can or in their handy stainless steel ‘travelers’ which contain 2 liters.
Pho Phu Quoc Vietnamese Restaurant
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Address: 5 Badham Street, Dickson ACT 2602
Phone: +61 2 6249 6662
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday – 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Tuesday – Closed
- Thursday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Pho Phu Quoc Vietnamese Restaurant offers traditional, Asian flavors with a Western twist. It’s a local favorite so expect it to be busy when you drop by.
Luckily, those who’d rather avoid the crowds would be happy to know that their entire menu is available for pick-up or delivery.
We recommend dining in-house though because they’ve got speedy service and the food is always served with a smile. It’s a family-run restaurant so the owner often visits tables and chats with their customers.
Their dishes are surprisingly flavorful, despite being so affordable. Each meal comes with herbs so they all taste fresh, but you can also request chilis to kick the spice up a notch.
The vibrant and cheerful atmosphere is what completes the meal. Many repeat customers compare it to an authentic dining experience in Vietnam.
Trevs at Dickson
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Address: 5 Badham Street, Dickson ACT 2602
Phone: +61 406 369 224
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Sunday – 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM
- Monday, Thursday – Closed
During the day, Trevs at Dickson is a cozy cafe perfect for quick bites, business lunches, or a good cup of coffee. They’re famous for their pizzas, but you can also never go wrong with one of their seasonal specials.
At night, this place turns into a casual restaurant that has a limited dinner menu. Don’t let that fool you though, because what they do offer is simply outstanding.
We highly recommend their Scallopini Chicken or any of their pasta options. Be sure to get one of their decadent desserts as well.
They do give generous servings, so bring a group if possible. The restaurant is spacious and has an attentive staff so everyone is sure to have a great time here.