We're heading out to Australia, with 3 whole weeks in Canberra during November.

I'm looking for a spot for a birthday celebration (2 adults, we're in our early 40s) while we're in Canberra -- i.e. a 1-2 day side trip, somewhere we can drive and stay in a cute B&B or something.

Any suggestions? Especially anything with good hiking or kayaking, views, charming towns, or unusual activities. We don't want to go too far from Canberra, as we're there to visit family, but figure a 1-2 day getaway would be just perfect.

Thank you for suggestions!

For hiking you can't beat the Kosciuszko National Park - there will still be spring wildflowers everywhere, and plenty of places to camp or stay. The coast is also delightful east of Canberra - Batemans Bay and all points south, or slightly north to Pebbly Beach where wallabies laze on the sand and are relatively tame. North of Canberra (about 1.5 hours) are the Southern Highlands - beautiful historic villages with wall-to-wall charming B&Bs - the best are in Berrima and Bowral - endless options.

If you enjoy hiking, you might enjoy going to Thredbo and hiking up to the top of Mount Kosciuzko as well as doing some other hikes in the Snowy Mountains. (How many folks can say they've been to the top of Australia's highest peak?) The views and the scenery are fabulous.
There's lots of other things to do in Thredbo such as the alpine slide-LOTS of fun-and going to the Australia Institute of Sports facility there. I understand they've got a great indoor pool. There's easily more than enough to see and do in the area for 1-2 days.
We went twice to the area (in 2000 and 2001) to climb Mt. Kosciuzko and do some other hikes and each time we stayed at the High Country Mountain Retreat (then known as the Threadbo Valley Lodge). It is located on a ridge close to Jindabyne and overlooks the valley--more fabulous views! You are very isolated up there and it's great. When we were there, the owner was also the chef and the food was excellent, so plan on eating at least one dinner there. They also had a package which included a picnic lunch which you could take to the top of Kosciuzko and that food was great too.

Thanks for the suggestions!

It sounds hard to decide... Kosciuszko to the south or Batemans Bay to the east.

I looked through some prior posts and saw Kangaroo Valley mentioned too... is that worth a peak? Would it be too ambitious to consider a big loop to Kangaroo Valley and Batemans Bay and Pebbly Beach?

Decisions, decisions! Thanks for the posts!

My favourite spot to stay in the Thredbo area is Lake Crackenback resort, a few hours from Canberra. Make sure you get a lakeside apartment. When we last stayed there a few weeks ago, we saw brumbies (wild horses), kangaroos and a wombat on the property.

http://www.novotellakecrackenback.com.au/

You're certainly spoilt for choice. Cilla's suggestion, the Novotel Lake Crackenback Resort, is a good one. The Sydney Morning Herald wrote it up this weekend, so it might be a good idea to book early. They quote 1-BR apartments sa "from $211" - presumably for a non-lakeside unit might be more. I haven't been there for some years, and noticed that the SMH assessed the restaurant as offering generic hotel food at slightly more than generic prices. It's a very peaceful spot, right next door to the SkyTube terminal and a shortish drive from Thredbo.

Almost anywhere on the South Coast won't disappoint. Jervis Bay (main town Huskisson) is worth considering - accessible either via Kangaroo Valley and Nowra or from the south (via Bateman's Bay). Well south of Batemans Bay there's also Merimbula - a nice drive of 3-4 hours via Cooma and Bega and well out of range of most Sydney weekend visitors.

A couple of other places reviewed favourably by the SMH are Squatter's Run, Thredbo Village - from $155(www.squatters.com.au) and Jervis Bay Guesthouse - from $145, including cooked breakfast (www.jervisbayguesthouse.com.au). Again, the article will probably stimulate bookings.

lucky you! if you like to walk, then thredbo that time of year is a great option. I'd probably actually stay at thredbo - you'll have a lot of options.

coast wise - so much to choose from! If you stay somewhere just north of BB (say Sth Durras) you will encounter the Murramurang NP. I'm fond of the merry beach/pretty beach area, walk up and over durras mountain to pebbly beach then back. lovely!

for more luxury, I have ALWAYS wanted to stay at Paperback Camp at Huskisson, but have not yet got there. http://www.paperbarkcamp.com.au/ It's restaurant, the Gunyah, also got a good rap at the weekend. it would also fit your kayaking bill.

South Durras is the famous beach with the surfing kangaroos - in is in a national park - and as previously stated, has B&B's.