Tilda Rove

Shortlist places with a children's menu, high chairs if needed and a table for eight. Book ahead because a large walk-in group can be hard to seat.

Check the garden's current season dates, location and any event shuttle first. A suburban bus route is unlikely to take you right to a rural entrance.

The accommodation may accept bags before check-in even if the room is not ready. Confirm that first; it could save a separate storage fee.

Compare the official trail lengths, gradients and current closures, then choose by the landscape you prefer. Mount Ainslie has a strong city-view reward; Black Mountain can feel more bush-focused.

Identify the exact theatre first, then compare hotels within a comfortable evening walk of it and nearby bars. 'Central Canberra' can cover a surprisingly broad area.

Read the rental agreement for unsealed-road restrictions, then choose a different route if access to the falls would break those terms. Mobile coverage may be limited.

Check local council and park rules for the exact location, including vehicle length, facilities and waste disposal. Do not rely on an old map pin without recent confirmation.

Confirm the event's current launch site and start time first; balloon flights depend on weather and may move or cancel. Check the organiser's transport advice for that morning.

Choose the atmosphere first: a central base is convenient for restaurants, while a lakeside or quieter hotel may feel more like a retreat.

Check the current events calendar for your visit rather than relying on a permanent attraction list. Limited-run shows can offer something new at a reasonable price.

Decide first how much of the next day you want in Canberra. A stop near the city saves morning driving, while a farther town may be cheaper but leaves less sightseeing time.

Compare the last public transport service with show finish time if you choose a farther room. Include the cost of a taxi in that comparison.