Posted on 17 September, 2025
This spring, Canberra’s wellness scene is serving up options that celebrate every fitness philosophy and comfort zone.
From the zen of lakeside yoga to the adrenaline rush of adventure racing, from free tennis courts that welcome everyone to challenging endurance rides that test your limits – there’s truly something for every body and every goal.
The only question left is: which adventure will you choose first?
Serve up some fun with free tennis courts
Tennis Australia is rolling out the red carpet – or should we say, the green court – for Play Tennis Week. Every club across the ACT is throwing open their gates with completely free court hire from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 September. It’s the perfect excuse to dust off that racquet that’s been gathering cobwebs since last summer or introduce a mate to the joys of baseline rallies.
The beauty of this initiative lies in its simplicity: grab anyone willing (colleague, family member, that neighbour you’ve been meaning to catch up with) and book your slot online using the ‘PLAYTENNIS’ code.
No membership fees, no intimidating club protocols – just pure, uncomplicated tennis fun in the crisp spring air.
All week from 22-28 September | Various locations across ACT | Use code ‘PLAYTENNIS’ at play.tennis.com.au
Find tour rhythm with social tango
Forget everything you think you know about tango from Hollywood films. This isn’t about dramatic dips and rose-between-teeth theatrics – it’s about genuine human connection through movement. The Tango Social Club of Canberra is offering a four-week introductory course designed specifically for absolute beginners aged 35-50, and here’s the kicker: no partner required.
What makes this particularly appealing is its focus on social dancing rather than performance perfection. You’ll learn to move together, make new friendships, and discover a form of exercise that feels more like an evening out than a workout.
The Friday evening timing makes it an ideal way to transition from work week to weekend, trading office stress for graceful steps.
Friday 19 September to Friday 10 October, 6:45-7:45pm | Balanced Yoga, 39 Jardine Street, Kingston | Book at trybooking.com
Treat yourself to a Yoga Big Day Out
Sometimes the best way to kickstart an active spring is with a deep dive into wellness. The Yoga Big Day Out transforms the National Museum into a sanctuary of self-care, offering everything from energising morning yoga sessions to acupuncture-assisted restorative practices as the day winds down.
This isn’t just about the physical movement – though you’ll definitely work up a sweat through yoga and Pilates sessions. The event includes expert panels during lunch, connecting you with Canberra’s most experienced wellness professionals.
Plus, the fully-catered vegetarian menu, sourced locally where possible, means you’ll fuel your body as mindfully as you’re moving it. The lakeside setting doesn’t hurt either.
Saturday 20 September, 9am-4pm | National Museum, Lawson Crescent, Acton | Tickets at YBDOSelfCareSaturday.eventbrite.com.au
Find your crew with Dragon Boating
Dragons Abreast Canberra offers something truly special: dragon boating designed specifically for people affected by breast cancer diagnoses. This dynamic water sport blends the pure adrenaline rush of paddling with the deeper satisfaction of community support and shared resilience.
Dragon boating delivers a full-body workout that’s both meditative and exhilarating. The synchronized paddling creates a sense of unity that extends far beyond the boat, while the lake setting provides that therapeutic connection with nature that Canberrans know so well. Even if you’ve never held a paddle, the welcoming community ensures you’ll feel supported from your first stroke.
Saturday 20 September | Grevillea Park, Menindee Drive, Barton | Details at revolutionise.com.au
Navigate adventure with your favourite women
The Women Only Adventure Race takes multi-sport challenges and wraps them in genuine camaraderie. Teams of two tackle a secret course combining 5 km on foot, 10 km by mountain bike, and 2 km via kayak or SUP. The stable double kayaks mean water confidence trumps technical expertise, and the “all fitness levels welcome” ethos ensures this is about pushing personal boundaries rather than competing for podium places.
Whether you’re bonding with a sister, reconnecting with an old friend, or building workplace relationships beyond the office, the shared challenge creates memories that last far longer than any post-race muscle soreness.
Sunday 21 September | Canberra, 291 Lady Denman Drive, Molonglo Valley | Register at womensadventurerace.com.au
Join Canberra’s biggest mat Pilates gathering
Picture this: hundreds of yoga mats spread across the picturesque grounds of Pialligo Estate, with two powerhouse fitness brands collaborating to create something uniquely Canberra. The STRONG x LSKD Mat Pilates event isn’t just about the workout – though the two 45-minute Strong Pilates sessions will definitely challenge every muscle group.
Between classes, you can refuel with brunch options while exploring stalls from fantastic local partners. It’s part fitness event, part community festival, showcasing our city’s thriving wellness scene.
Whether you’re already obsessed with Pilates or curious about trying something new, this event offers the perfect entry point into Canberra’s fitness community.
Saturday 27 September, 7:15am-11am | Pialligo Estate | Book through strongpilates.com.au
Flow into sunset
Imagine moving through powerful yoga sequences while live musicians create the soundtrack, then melting into restorative poses as crystal singing bowls wash over you. Twilight Flow & Live Music Yoga at Wildbark offers this magical 90-minute experience, perfectly timed to catch the sunset over Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve.
The combination of Yang and Yin practices means you’ll work up heat and energy before dissolving into deep release. The natural amphitheatre setting, with its expansive views across the nature reserve, creates an atmosphere where movement, music, and landscape harmonise completely.
It’s the kind of experience that reminds you why you fell in love with being active in the first place.
Sunday 28 September | Wildbark, Rosenberg Street, Throsby | Book at wildbarkatmulligansflat.rezdy.com
Embrace beach vibes in the bush capital
Who says you need an ocean for beach bootcamp energy? Canberra’s Big Beach Bootcamp brings summer vibes to our landlocked city with a high-energy group workout on the sand courts at VACT Beach Volleyball Courts.
This sunrise session combines full-body training with upbeat music, community spirit, and a few cheeky surprises – all before most people have finished their morning coffee.
The soft sand adds an extra challenge to every movement while being gentler on joints than concrete. Plus, everyone receives free beach socks because, as the organisers perfectly put it, “sand between your toes is a vibe, but sand in your shoes is not!”
Whether you’re a dedicated fitness enthusiast or just looking for a completely different way to start your day, this sandy experience promises to be a whole lot of fun!
Thursday 19 October | VACT Beach Volleyball Courts, Lyneham | Register at trybooking.com
Test your winter endurance on epic rides
For those ready to truly challenge their winter fitness base, the Crookwell Cruise Challenge offers three increasingly ambitious options. The Mini (250 km, 3000 m elevation) is perfect for testing your endurance limits, while the Maxi (1000 km, 12000 m elevation) will push even seasoned cyclists to their absolute edge.
These self-sufficient rides follow tour divide rules, meaning you’ll navigate everything from fence-lifting to river crossings – possibly even snow. It’s not for beginners, but if you’ve been building fitness all winter and crave a genuine adventure, this could be the perfect spring challenge.
Starting from BP Watson at 6am, you’ll experience the raw beauty of the region while discovering exactly what your body can achieve.
Saturday 27 September | Starting at BP Service Station, Watson | facebook.com