I second skipping Albury/Wagga/Canberra and flying up the coast. Merimbula and Moruya are a couple of the best sited, most picturesque aerodromes in Australia. You also have the option of staying coastal and low if the weather is uncooperative and pushing on to Nowra or Woolongong.
As for flying into Canberra, do it if it's on your must do list. Otherwise, it's just a large, GA unfriendly aerodrome.