Are you moving to Australia and fulfilling a childhood dream? Discover Canberra and our selection of 11 things to do in Australia’s capital!
Capital of Australia and of the state of the Australian Capital Territory, Canberra is landlocked in southeastern New South Wales, 280 kilometers southwest of Sydney and 680 kilometers northeast of Melbourne. Capital of the island-continent since 1908, Canberra is a new city, built in the early 20th century to house the country’s political institutions.
The seat of the Australian government, the city is also home to Parliament and the High Court, numerous ministries and national departments, and cultural institutions: the population, estimated at 395,790, is therefore predominantly made up of civil servants, with the federal government being the largest employer.
Are you planning to visit Canberra? On the road between the Blue Mountains, Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra boasts a young population, low unemployment, high levels of education and a higher general price index than other Australian cities. Australia is already a country with a high standard of living, so accommodation and activities in Canberra are likely to be expensive! Canberra’s geographical location has earned it the nickname « capital of the bush ». – in the midst of vast areas of natural vegetation – and makes it the country’s largest non-coastal city.
So, what’s there to do in Canberra? Here’s our mini-guide to things to do in Canberra!
1. The War Memorial
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Located at the end of ANZAC Parade, the Australian War Memorial is dedicated to the soldiers who perished in the armed conflicts of the Commonwealth of Australia, notably during the two world wars that bloodied the world in the 20th century.
Opened in 1941, it commemorates the – forced – participation of young Australian soldiers who died in combat in 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. Testimonies, photos, period documents, costumes and weapons, interactive displays, etc., make this visit a must if you want to learn more about the country on your way to Canberra. Admission and guided tours are free.
2. Questacon Museum
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Questacon, or the National Center for Science and Technology, is a hub representing science and technology through over 200 interactive exhibits.
It is located south of Lake Burley Griffin and was opened in 1988 to mark the bicentenary of the arrival of the first European settlers. The center is subdivided into seven galleries, within which the public can discover science through the circus, physics-chemistry, geology, predatory animals and their prey, or light and sound. This museum should appeal to young and old science fans alike, who wonder what to do in Can.
3. The National Gallery of Australia
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Right next door is the National Gallery of Australia: Canberra’s main public museum, founded in 1967 as a national museum by the Australian government.
Over an area of 23,000 m², it houses galleries of Aboriginal art, works of Asian art and, in numerous small rooms, works of contemporary Australian art. If you love both art and history, this is a must-see museum when visiting Canberra.
4. The National Museum of Australia
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What to do in Canberra Inaugurated in 2001, the National Museum of Australia also traces the country’s history through interactive attractions – such as the three-dimensional map of Australia or the revolving theater, representing the themes of people, nation and land -: the museum commemorates 50,000 years of history, from the Aborigines to the present day.
There’s plenty to see in the galleries, including the skin of the extinct Tasmanian tiger, Aboriginal paintings on bark, POW clothing and equipment used during the Sydney Olympics. You name it!
5. Parliament of Australia
Photo Credit: Unsplash -Michael
Parliament House is, as its name suggests, the Parliament of Australia. Opened in 1988, it is the seat of the Australian Parliament, housing the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Why visit a parliament? Well, to attend the sessions of the Assembly, to watch the debates of the deputies during questions to the government. You can also admire a wide range of exhibitions and public galleries, with free access and guided tours. Outside, 23 hectares of gardens await you for wandering and strolling in fine weather.
6. Lake Burley Griffin
Photo credit: Unsplash – Harry Burk
What to do in Canberra when you’ve already seen all the museums? How about a fishing Sunday in the middle of the city? Lake Burley Griffin is an artificial lake in the heart of Canberra, created in 1963.
So, logically, it serves as a nautical base for the locals during the hot summer months (swimming is difficult), where you can cycle, walk, fish or windsurf: the shores of the lake are lined with numerous green spaces inviting you to take a stroll, just a stone’s throw from the must-see places to visit in Canberra. The « Captain Cook » water jet almost makes you imagine you’re in Geneva.
7. National Botanical Gardens
Photo Credit: Unsplash -Jelle de Gier
In Australia, the authorities take great care to preserve endemic species: at least, they try to limit the extinction of endangered species. Canberra’s National Botanic Gardens, located on Black Mountain west of the city center, are managed by the Australian government and the Department of the Environment.
They house a vast collection of endemic Australian plants on 90 hectares, including 40 hectares developed as botanical gardens. More than 5,500 species are grown here, including rainforest gullies, flora from the Sydney region, Mallee plants (multi-stemmed eucalyptus species), banksias, Telopeas, mimosas and more.
8. National zoo and aquarium
Photo Credit: Unsplash -Karlo Boni
Coming to visit Canberra? Located in Yarralumla at the western end of Lake Burley Griffin, on the Molonglo River and close to the Scrivener Dam, the Canberra Zoo and Aquarium is a privately-owned organization housing a vast array of native and foreign wildlife, as well as Australia’s largest collection of wild animals, including the tigron – a hybrid species resulting from the crossing of a lioness and a tiger.
This type of facility is unique in the country, as there is no zoo and aquarium combined anywhere else. The zoo is also committed to the reproduction of endangered species.
9. The Old Bus Depot market
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What to do in Canberra if you still have time? The Old Bus Depot market is one of Canberra’s trendiest spots.
Located near the Parc Telopea, the markets are set up in the old bus station, and take place every Sunday from 10am to 4pm. This is the place to go shopping for clothes, decorative items, food and a variety of organic products.
10. The National Dinosaur Museum
Photo Credit: Instagram -pokemaster512
Did you like the movie Jurassic Park? Don’t miss the National Dinosaur Museum if you’re visiting Canberra for several days.
Located north of the city, in Gold Creek Village, it houses the largest permanent fossil gallery in the entire southern hemisphere. Founded in 1993, the museum’s broader focus is on all prehistoric life forms on Earth: an interesting excursion for anyone wishing to learn more about dinosaurs.
11. Mount Ainslie
Photo credit: Flickr – Sam Ilić
Located in the Canberra Regional Nature Park, Mount Ainslie is a great place to hike and get some height if you’re stuck for what to do in Canberra. At its highest point, 863 metres above sea level, it offers 360° panoramic views over Canberra and the inland areas of the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
A paved path, starting at the War Memorial, provides an easy ascent. It is lined with plaques commemorating the Second World War, in particular the battles that took place on the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea (against the Japanese in 1942).
How do I get to Canberra?
To visit Canberra, you can land at the city’s airport, located 3.5 kilometers to the east. From abroad, you’ll need to find a flight to Melbourne or Sydney, thanks to the Ulysse flight comparator, which allows you to compare offers on flexible dates over an entire month. You can then book a domestic flight with a low-cost airline: JetStar, Virgin Blue or Tiger Airways.
By train, you’ll need to compare fares with several companies – CountryLink, for example, which serves the eastern half of the island-continent. Trains are quite expensive in Australia.
By bus, Greyhound operates regular services to and from state capitals, including Canberra.
Where to stay in Canberra?
As usual, we advise you to visit Canberra’s city center, around City Hill and Civic Square, on the northern banks of the Burley Griffin. This is the city’s commercial and entertainment hub.
For quieter, greener accommodation, look no further than Yarralumla, an upscale district to the west of the city center. Forrest, south of Parliament House, is the city’s most popular district. As elsewhere in Australia, accommodation in Canberra can be expensive. Visit our hotel comparator to compare the best accommodation offers for your dates!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Canberra,au