ACT COVID-19 changes give Canberrans a long list of fun things to do out of lockdown

I mean, this never happened but it's what I imagine when I think of today. Smells, tastes and feels like freedom.

With Canberra having hit 90 per cent double dose of over-12s, restrictions eased significantly from midnight at the cusp of Thursday/Friday.

Here's what we are able to do from October 29:

There are two types of Canberrans in the world. Those who get their Sydney roadtrip Maccas at Goulburn, and those who fill up on nuggs in Sutton Forrest. I mean, there's also weirdos who spend 20 bucks on snow peas at Oliver's, but I can't imagine they read anything I write.

Personally, I pull over at the Big Merino for a mid-drive snack when I travel to NSW. Which is allowed, quarantine-free, from October 29.

Quarantine-free travel between NSW, the ACT and Victoria will be permitted from November 1.

If you dare, you can zoom down the Hume to board up at Bondi but I recommend stopping a bit earlier.

In Bowral you'll find the Southern Highlands' first ever Indigenous art gallery, or pass through the Big Smoke to explore the glistening north coast of New South Wales.

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You could even turn left onto the M4 and head to the Blue Mountains, and while the well-known trails might be packed with tourists, the more fit and adventurous might want to check out the Bridal Veil Falls in Leura, or abseil through the Claustral Canyon in Mount Tomah.

Another fun weekend trip would be to visit the Japanese bath house in South Bowenfels.

Canberrans can also now massage their weary, soft office feet by walking on the blinding white sandy shores at Jervis Bay, Hyams Beach and all the other South Coast gems on our doorstep.

November is wine and food festival month for Mudgee, so why not head to the Central West for twilight tastings, cherry picking and live music at the pub.

With my sister studying in Wollongong, I'm planning on driving down to see her and keep my scuba licence valid by checking out the spectacular waters of Bass Point Reserve.

We might even revisit some favourite snorkelling spots like Boneyard near Kiama Downs, Bushrangers Bay Bass Point Reserve and Nellies Glen waterfall in Budderoo National Park.

If you're more interested in the high of the night than nitrogen narcosis, you could fly up to Melbourne and hit the bars. But there isn't really a need to go anywhere for some old fashioned fun: eased restrictions in the ACT mean you can party at home.

I guess you could've done that by yourself during lockdown, but it probably wasn't the same.

Before you pop on those stilettos or spray yourself with Lynx, I'm not talking about Mooseheads. Nightclubs are still closed, although they can trade as a bar with density limits.

From October 29 all your girlfriends can gather for a bachelorette party, because male strippers have booked into the groomers, ironed their uniforms and adjusted their jock straps. Brothels and strip clubs are also open.

If I went to a hens-do, and there weren't half-naked men gyrating to Ginuwine, I'd be pretty disappointed.

But for the classy spouses-to-be, events such as life drawing classes, wine tasting, karaoke or group yoga classes are also back on the calendar. If they take place outdoors, you can invite your 19 bestest friends with a maximum of 20 people excluding staff all up.

If your maid of honour is a bit more fun than fancy, the eased restrictions mean ten people can gather indoors. Get her to call stripper Ricky and grab the girls, or boys, for a more intimate last night of freedom.

Weddings can now take place with 25 people all up, or one person per four square metres. Guests must remain seated while eating and drinking, but dancing is permitted - so kick off your Sunday shoes, Louise!

Have you had to hustle for a spot at the pub or café in the last week? Fighting hipsters for a spot at The Cupping Room at the weekend is hard enough in non-COVID times.

Some Canberra drinking holes decided to keep their doors closed under previous COVID restrictions, which limited them to either indoor or outdoor capacities, and not being allowed to use both spaces.

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That has now changed, which means you can grab a beer and soak up the weekend sun, or perch up inside. It means increased capacities and more spots available to catch up with friends or enjoy an afternoon or evening out.

There is a density limit of 25 people still in place. But businesses can have more than 25 people if they have the space. They will have to adhere to one person per four square metres indoors, and one person per two square metres outdoors. The overall outdoor capacity is 300 people.

You do still have to remain seated whilst eating and drinking indoors, and there's no dancing allowed yet.

Speaking of Sunday (and Friday) shoes - you better polish them because Canberrans can now worship with up to 25 people across a venue, or one person per four square metres indoors. Outside, one person per two square metres up to 300 people is permitted.

You will have to wear a face mask while indoors, but all the better so no one can hear your prayers.

Many Canberrans will be raptured to attend their church, mosque, synagogue or temple of choice to connect with their community and spirituality.

For others, God is found in gains. May they also rejoice.

I don't actually know what happens in a gym, but it must be great because fit people are constantly talking about it.

Has your mental health taken a hit because you haven't been able to feel those endorphins pumping through your veins?

Well lucky for you, gyms are reopening with a limit of 25 people or one person per four square metres indoors. Classes are limited to 20 people, and swimming pools can have 25 people across the venue before density limits apply.

You can finally get back to lying in someone else's sweat, feeling really sore and then posting about it on social media.

Let me take this opportunity to formally thank my parents for wasting their weekends watching me play hockey in the cold, badly, for so many years.

It taught me one very important life lesson - never enrol your children in weekend sports.

Good news for the kiddos though, because organised sporting activities are back with 25 people allowed before density limits apply. Outside, one person per two square metres is permitted up to 500 people.

Dance classes are limited to 20 attendees, and swimming pools can open with 25 people allowed inside, or one person per square metre. In outside pools, up to 500 swimmers can get their togs on with one person per two square metres permitted.

Being pent up for so long means the children will be super fast!

It's hard to have intercourse over four sets of corsets.

Challenge accepted, Hercules Mulligan (Friend of famed Alexander Hamilton, subject of the musical Hamilton.)

Now able to travel to both Sydney and Melbourne, Canberrans like me who had their Hamilton tickets cancelled can rebook.

Closer to home, the Canberra Theatre will reopen on November 8, with the satirical Wharf Revue first to take the stage.

Indoor venues can have a maximum of 500 people in Canberra, so if you want some culture in your life book your tickets soon.

Your choice of movie theatre says a lot about you. Palace Electric? Artsy. Dendy Gold Class? Bougie. HOYTS? Basic.

Regardless of your preferred picture palace, the genuine joy of blocking out the world and watching a four-hour movie is back in Canberra, and I couldn't be more excited.

A slew of new movies will first be screened.

I'm desperate to watch the Australian psychological drama Nitram, which is based on Port Arthur massacrist Martin Bryant. It will first screen on Friday at 1.45pm at Dendy Canberra Centre.

The Last Duel, a #MeToo inspired action epic with stars including Jodie Comer, Adam Driver and Matt Damon, will first be screened on Friday at Limelight Cinemas, HOYTS Woden and Dendy Canberra Centre.

Cinemas can have a capacity of up to 75 per cent fixed seating, so if you can't wait to eat some butter-soaked popcorn and crunch a choc-top while watching a blockbuster, you will need to book in advance.

You might want to take that Lambo in for a service because property auctions are back on.

I left this section for last because in a city where a $750,000 house is considered affordable, this news is really only relevant for the over 95s.

But for the sick real estate tourists among us, you can inspect houses for sale from October 29.

Renters can also inspect one of Canberra's beautifully overpriced homes from October 25, with a maximum of 25 people before density limits apply. I suggest you bring a mask and hydration pack, because there's likely to be a line of approximately 9000 people out the front.

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