Canberra
Save28 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 3 ready-made day plans ↓Show on the map
Tips
10 places on the map
Top 10
- 1
Australia's grand parliament building with a walkable grass roof.
3 tips
- Free entry; bring ID for security
- Watch Question Time on sitting days
- Go up to the roof for city views
📷 Photos
- 2
Moving national memorial and museum to Australia's war dead.
- Tip: Allow a few hours
2 tips
- Free entry, book special exhibitions
- Stay for the Last Post ceremony at 4:45 pm
📷 Photos
- 3
Nation's art collection, from Aboriginal art to Pollock's Blue Poles.
3 tips
- General collection is free
- Walk the outdoor Sculpture Garden
- Café overlooks the lake
📷 Photos
- 4
Bold lakeside museum telling the stories of Australia and its peoples.
3 tips
- Free general admission
- Don't miss the First Australians gallery
- Garden of Australian Dreams outside
📷 Photos
- 5
Classic lookout with views down Anzac Parade to Parliament House.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Drive up or hike from behind the War Memorial
- Sunrise and sunset are spectacular
- Watch for kangaroos on the trail
📷 Photos
- 6
Old Parliament House, now a museum of Australian political history.
3 tips
- Sit in the old House of Representatives
- Family-friendly play spaces
- Aboriginal Tent Embassy is across the road
📷 Photos
- 7
Central artificial lake ringed by walking and cycling paths.
3 tips
- Hire a bike to circle the central basin
- Paddle boats run in summer
- Hot air balloons float over at dawn in autumn
📷 Photos
- 8
National science and technology centre packed with hands-on exhibits.
- Tip: Book ahead
2 tips
- Great for kids and adults
- Try the free-fall slide
📷 Photos
- 9
Gardens of native Australian plants on Black Mountain's slopes.
3 tips
- Free entry, paid parking
- Walk the Rainforest Gully
- Free guided walks most days
📷 Photos
- 10
Hillside of 94 forests with sculptures and sweeping city views.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Free entry, paid parking
- Visit the bonsai and penjing collection
- Dairy Farmers Hill is great at sunset
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Canberra tips
Transportation
- Ride the light rail: Canberra's light rail runs from Gungahlin to the City; tap on with a MyWay+ card or contactless bank card and remember to tap off.
- Cycle around the lake: Shared paths circle Lake Burley Griffin and link the national institutions, so a bike or e-scooter is often faster than the bus.
- Rent a car for day trips: Places like Tidbinbilla, Namadgi National Park and the wineries around Murrumbateman are hard to reach without one.
Security
- Watch for kangaroos at dusk: Kangaroos often cross roads around Canberra at dawn and dusk; slow down, especially near nature reserves.
- Beware swooping magpies: In spring, nesting magpies swoop cyclists and walkers; wear a helmet or hat and avoid marked swooping zones.
- Drive carefully on frosty mornings: Winter brings fog and black ice on Canberra roads; allow extra time and keep a scraper for the windscreen.
Saving
- Visit the free institutions: The Australian War Memorial, National Gallery, National Library and Parliament House all have free general entry.
- Shop the Old Bus Depot Markets: Held on Sundays in Kingston, these markets have local food and crafts and make a cheap lunch outing.
- Picnic by the lake: Commonwealth Park and the lakeside foreshores have free barbecues and lawns, great for an inexpensive dinner on a warm evening.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for cold winters: Canberra has frosty winter mornings, often below freezing, with sunny days; bring a warm coat, beanie and gloves.
- Expect big temperature swings: Even in summer, hot dry days can drop to cool nights; carry a layer when heading out for evening events.
- Come for spring or autumn: Spring brings Floriade and blossoms, while autumn turns the city's many trees red and gold, both ideal for walking.
Cultural
- Attend the Last Post Ceremony: Held daily at the Australian War Memorial near closing time, it honours one fallen serviceperson with a moving story.
- Watch Question Time: When Parliament is sitting you can watch debates from the public galleries in Parliament House; check sitting days online.
- Acknowledge Ngunnawal Country: Canberra lies on Ngunnawal land; look for Aboriginal art at the National Gallery and the National Museum of Australia.
Local Hacks
- Drive up Mount Ainslie: The lookout gives the classic view along the land axis from the War Memorial to Parliament House, best at sunset.
- Time your trip for festivals: Floriade in spring and the Enlighten Festival with its hot air balloons and illuminations bring the city to life.
- See wildlife at Tidbinbilla: The nature reserve southwest of the city offers almost guaranteed kangaroos and a chance of koalas and platypus.
1-day itineraries in Canberra
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 3
Parliament House and around
🕘 9:30–17:15📍 5 stops
- 1Parliament House
- 2Museum of Australian Democracy
- 3Questacon
- 4High Court of Australia
- 5National Gallery of Australia
Day 2 of 3
Australian War Memorial and around
🕘 9:30–16:30📍 3 stops
- 1Canberra Museum and Gallery
- 2Australian War Memorial
- 3Mount Ainslie Lookout
Day 3 of 3
National Museum of Australia and around
🕘 9:30–16:00📍 4 stops
- 1National Film and Sound Archive
- 2National Museum of Australia
- 3Captain Cook Memorial Jet
- 4Commonwealth Park