Hidden gem? I'm a big fan of the Red Rocks Gorge on the Murrumbidgee River. It's truly spectacular and just 500 metres from the Tuggeranong Hyperdome. The whole river flows through a space two metres wide and drops 10 metres. I like to go when the river is flowing, particularly after rain. It's a good walk from Kambah Pool, on a side trail from the track to Pine Island.

Weekend haunt? I love riding on Canberra's bike paths on my mountain bike. My favourite ride is a lap of Lake Burley Griffin. I prefer the big loop, not just the central bridge to bridge ride. I particularly like the view down the length of the lake from around Dairy Flat Road.

Place to take visitors? Mount Ainslie is always the first stop, to give them the best lie of the land. Having said that I really like taking people to the Arboretum, in part just for the vision of what it's going to be like in 20 years, which I think is going to be something pretty special.

People watching spot? I'm biased, but I love it upstairs at the BentSpoke Brewery in Braddon. Up there I can watch people's faces as they try new beers and discover unfamiliar flavours.

Place to unwind? Once a year I get to go camping at Racecourse Beach between Kioloa and Bawley Point. There's a really relaxing atmosphere down there and it really doesn't hurt to get salt water on the body.

Treat? A special treat for me is a couple of kilos of rare and expensive cheeses from Mike The Cheesesmith. My wife Tracy says I like cheese so much when I make a cheese sandwich the slices are thicker than the bread.