The Snowy Mountains are the highest mountains in Australia whose summit, Mount Kosciuszko, is 2,228 metres above sea level. They are located south of Canberra, on the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria. They are considered to be the Australian Alps and are home to four ski resorts. During our stay, we had the pleasure of driving through the first snowstorm of the year. This alpine climate is relatively rare in Australia! That said, do not expect forests of spruce and larch, but rather mountains of eucalyptus trees. The region is home to many species of rare or endangered plants and animals. Driving from Canberra, the view of Lake Jindabyne is exceptional (photo). For your information, the Snowy Mountains Wikipedia page is very well referenced and we invite you to visit it to learn more about The Snowies.

This photo is part of the Weekend Hashtag Project, a series featuring designated themes & hashtags chosen every week by Instagram’s Community Team. The theme of the week is: #twoofakind.

Under the partnership between Fit n Fast and iPhoneography Oz, we were able to try the facilities at Fit n Fast Belconnen during our stay in Canberra. As in our previous visits (Newcastle, Sydney), a trend continues: comfort generated by the cleanliness of the premises, pristine condition of the equipment and the friendliest of staff. At Fit n Fast Belconnen, the gym is adjacent to Westfield Belconnen Shopping Centre where you can use the car park (3 hours free). Once again, the size of the gym provides access to a maximum amount of equipment and machines without having to wait. No more excuses not to keep fit!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Fit n Fast.

A cruise on Lake Burley Griffin is an original way to discover Canberra. Mount Ainslie Lookout meanwhile offers an excellent 360 degree view of the city and its surroundings. It peaks at about 900 metres above sea level and is easily accessible by car or on foot. Cyclists can also enjoy a climb of a few kilometres (the road surface is in excellent condition). At the summit, we met some kangaroos and... photographers capturing what might be the best sunset in the city (photo).

Climbing aboard a boat on Lake Burley Griffin is a great way to "visit" Canberra. Jim, the captain and owner of Lake Burley Griffin Cruises took us in a one-hour cruise around the lake. Above all, know that Jim is quite a character (in the best way possible). Spend an hour in his company and learn a lot about the history of Canberra and the immediate surroundings of the lake. If the sun is shining, the experience is even better and the colours are stunning. Jim's aim is "to provide a memorable experience and engender a positive image of the Nation's Capital" which is successfully achieved. iPhoneography Oz can vouch for that!

iPhoneography Oz was a guest of Lake Burley Griffin Cruises.

Canberra is the federal capital of Australia, located between Sydney and Melbourne in the mid-lands of New South Wales. Interesting feature, the city was drawn on the plan by Walter Burley Griffin, one of the greatest American architects of the twentieth century, before any construction took place. In 2013, Canberra will celebrate its centenary. There is no real downtown, but many parks and wide avenues. This is a new city which sometimes parallels Washington D.C., Quebec City or Ottawa. Canberra's charm does not necessarily lie in the architecture of the city but rather in its museums and galleries, some of which may have a profound effect. This is particularly true of the Australian War Memorial (photo) which is also a museum displaying a detailed historical account of the various armed conflicts in which Australia has participated to date. The Aboriginal Tent Embassy erected on the lawns of Old Parliament House is an interesting visit, even though it is by no means a tourist monument. Meeting and talking with an Indigenous Australian is an emotional moment that opens our eyes to the lack of recognition from the Australian government towards Aboriginals.

After a detour inland to the Kangaroo Valley, we are back on the southern end of the Grand Pacific Drive. Batemans Bay is a charming town at the mouth of the Clyde River. The main activities of the region are obviously revolved around the ocean (including deep sea fishing). There are also beautiful beaches to discover around the city. Walking on the beach at sunrise in Batehaven is most refreshing. It would be better to stay during off peak season to avoid the swarm of tourists in summer from Canberra, located just two hours away. Not far to the north, it would seem that paradise lies in Jervis Bay where we find probably the whitest sand in the world. We missed it but will be returning in an upcoming visit to the area!

The Kangaroo Valley is located inland about an hour away from the Grand Pacific Drive. This is a gem of nature, not as imposing as the Blue Mountains but has still its charm. Greenery, mountains, cliffs, waterfalls, wild animals: all the ingredients for a relaxing day out! Though the name of the place might suggest, no kangaroos in sight during our visit. However we did come across a wombat... dead on the side of the road being eaten by maggots.