Things to do in Canberra
Australia’s bush capital
Surrounded by mountains and nature, Canberra—Australia’s capital—is a destination often unfairly written off as a place just for politics. But look past that role, and you’ll see that this small city provides plenty of things to do for receptive visitors: visit museums, galleries, and monuments that reflect Australian culture or hike peaceful nature trails to panoramic viewpoints that look out over the city’s lakefront locale.
Why you are seeing these recommendations
Top 15 attractions in Canberra
#1
Mt. Ainslie
The city of Canberra was master-planned by an American designer from Chicago, but you will never recognize the genius of his plan until you see it from the top of Mt. Ainslie. From the lookout point of this 2,700 ft. hill that rises to the north of Canberra, you can finally understand the geometric formations that comprise the modern city. The lakes, hills, avenues, and buildings all seem neatly cradled in the valley’s amphitheater and the view towards the west during sunset hours is the best in all of Canberra.To reach the famously breathtaking lookout, choose from one of the numerous walking tracks that ascend the side of the mountain. One trail—the Kokoda Track—departs from the back of the Australian War Memorial and has placards that honor Australian soldiers who fought in World War II. Other trails, such as the Mt. Ainslie Walking Trail, weave their way from the base of the mountain up towards the summit lookout, and keep your eyes peeled for small kangaroos as they rustle about in the bush. If, on the other hand, you would prefer to simply see the view without working up a sweat, a road leading to the summit lookout is the easiest way to the top.More
#2
Australian Parliament House
Two parliament houses sit atop Capital Hill in Canberra, the old Art Deco parliament building from the 1920s and the new Australian Parliament House, built in the 1980s. The grassed roof and triangular metal flagpole of the building have become a national symbol of Australia. Works by some of Australia’s top contemporary artists hang within.More
#3
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial is one of Canberra’s most prominent landmarks and home to the National Military Museum. Standing at the head of Anzac Parade and surrounded by Remembrance Nature Park, it’s a moving tribute to the many Australian soldiers that fought and died in wars throughout the years.More
#4
National Museum of Australia
Like a big abstract Australian storybook, the National Museum of Australia uses controversy and humor to get you thinking about Australian national identity and heritage. The diverse collection focuses on Indigenous cultures and histories, settlement by Europeans, and the interaction between Australians and the environment.More
#5
Lake Burley Griffin
Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin is at the heart of the capital, providing the focal point around which much of the city’s official and recreational life revolves. Formed by the damming of the Molonglo River in 1963—about half a century after Canberra’s founding—it’s now difficult to imagine the city without the defining body of water.More
#6
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia has a stunning permanent collection of art focusing on four areas: Australian art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian and Pacific art, and European and American Art. Highlights include works by Australian artists Sidney Nolan, Tom Roberts, and Arthur Streeton.More
#7
National Library of Australia
If you have any question about Australia, you will find an answer here. The National Library boasts the largest collection of “Australiana” in the world, and over 10 million pieces of printed material—from books, magazines, photographs, and newspapers—has been preserved by the library system. Read accounts of the earliest explorers as they found this new southern land, or find books on Aboriginal folklore and the evolution of Australian culture. You will also find exhibits and printed material on neighboring Pacific nations, where books provide windows into New Zealand New Guinea in a way no library can. Perhaps most striking are handwritten manuscripts that have defined Australia’s history, from the original journals of Captain Cook to letters from World War I. Exhibits in the library change regularly, and you can easily lose yourself for an hour or a week in the fascinating, historical, and literary windows that line the walls of this palace of knowledge.More
#8
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Owned by NASA and managed by CSIRO, Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex is one of three NASA tracking stations around the world. Integral to NASA missions, it’s also home to the Canberra Space Centre, where visitors can get a behind-the-scenes peek at NASA missions and learn more about the mysteries of outer space.More
#9
High Court of Australia
Anyone standing in the Parliamentary Triangle will notice the High Court of Australia. A towering building of concrete and glass that rises 130 feet, the court is an award-winning piece of architecture on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The glass is meant to symbolize transparency in Australia’s judicial process, and visitors are welcome to sit on proceedings whenever court is in session. Many of Australia’s most notable cases have been conducted here in this building, and the laws that govern the entire nation are handed down from these halls.Three different courtrooms and a public hall are accessible to courthouse visitors, and even during times when court isn’t in session, the public hall can host cultural events or even afternoon concerts. Informative placards highlight events that have shaped the court system’s past, and with the exception of marble that has been imported from Italy, all of the timber and beams in the courthouse are made from Australian wood. Part functioning legal facility and part design attraction, the High Court of Australia is a noble stop when visiting downtown Canberra.More
#10
National Portrait Gallery
A great city and a great country must first be home to great people. After all, it’s the lives and actions of its exemplary citizens that lay the foundation for greatness, and at Canberra’s National Portrait Gallery, empowering portraits create an historical mosaic of the people who molded Australia.All art mediums are utilized here, from paintings, drawings, sketches, and photography—even sculpture and film. Portrait subjects are drawn from all corners of modern Australian society, from politicians and athletes to musicians and royalty. More than simply an art gallery, however, portraits are accompanied my multimedia guides and provide detailed background on the iconic figures who are literally staring you in the face. With over 400 portraits on the gallery grounds, and rotating exhibits that richly explore different segments of Australian culture, there is no better place hear the stories and see the faces of Australia’s most inspiring citizens.More
#11
Australian Institute of Sport
Want to get a look inside how elite Australian athletes train? Stop by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra to experience what it’s like to eat, work and sweat like one of the players. One of Australia’s most-loved sites, AIS welcomes more than 200,000 visitors each year.Take a guided tour for a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of world-class Australian athletes. The 160-acre campus includes top-notch sports facilities, training camps and lodging for some of the most renowned athletes in the world. The AIS Arena hosts well-known events, concerts shows such as Cirque du Soleil — don’t forget to check what’s on! Grab an espresso at the AIS café or pick up a souvenir at the shop, and soak up the sporting atmosphere.More
#12
National Zoo & Aquarium
With a huge range of resident critters, from native Australian animals to exotic species, the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra has plenty for wildlife lovers to get excited about. In addition to housing Australia’s most extensive collection of big cats, it also has the largest inland saltwater tank in the country.More
#13
Questacon: the National Science and Technology Centre
The young (and the young at heart can interact with more than 200 exhibits divided between eight hands-on galleries and an outdoor Science Garden at Questacon. Learn how tsunamis form, feel the shake of an earthquake, gaze at the surface of a giant model of the moon, or catch a show in the on-site theater.More
#14
Cockington Green Gardens
Cockington Green Gardens offers visitors a trip around the world without leaving Canberra. The outdoor exhibit features meticulously crafted miniature buildings representing numerous landmarks, from Scotland’s Braemer Castle to Peru’s Machu Picchu. It’s a great option for traveling families who will be captivated by the enchanting world.More
#15
Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens re-imagines natural environments from around the country in its 86 acres (35 hectares of former bushland on the lower slopes of Black Mountain. Visitors get a glimpse at the world’s most comprehensive display of native Australian flora—75,000 plants from more than 6,000 species.More
Explore Canberra by interest
Trip ideas
Itineraries for your Canberra trip
Top activities in Canberra
Explore our promoted experiences
All about Canberra
When to visit
Following chilly and windy winters, spring brings welcome relief to Canberrans and large crowds of tourists due to one of the city’s largest festivals, Floriade—a month-long flower festival with vivid floral displays and illuminations. Despite its hot and dry weather, summer also draws in plenty of visitors with festivals, from the family-friendly fireworks of Skyfire to the rubber-burning mayhem of the Summernats car festival.
Getting around
Driving remains the easiest way to get around Canberra when sightseeing due to the city's layout and limited local public transport timetables. Canberra’s bus network operates across the city, with its central station at the City Interchange on Alinga Street in Civic. A new light rail system also connects the Canberra city center with the showgrounds in the northern suburbs. Some areas of attractions are easily walkable, though, such as in Parkes and Kingston.
Traveler tips
If you’re after cocktails and a novel Canberra drinking experience, add the speakeasy Molly to your evening plans. To get there, follow the GPS coordinates 35°16'44.5"S+149°07'42.0"E, and don’t be discouraged if you find yourself in an unexciting back alley. Help your recovery the next day with a Canberra staple, Brodburger in Kingston, to see if you think their burgers are worth the hype—and the lines. (You can order ahead online.)
Currency
Australian Dollar (A$)
Time Zone
AEST (UTC +10)
Country Code
+61
Language(s)
English