14 Best Things to Do in Canberra and Surrounds

Last updated: September 14, 2023

A complete guide to the 14 best things to do in Canberra, from scenic lookouts and world-class museums to beautiful gardens and iconic buildings.

When it comes to exploring Australia, Canberra usually isn’t at the top of the bucket list. Even when it is a destination (and not just a stopover to the snow), it’s often a box-ticking exercise. Capital of Australia? Done. Parliament house? Done. Get lost on a giant roundabout? Done.

But if you can park your doubts for a second, you may find that Canberra has a few surprises up its sleeve. Besides the museums and monuments you saw as a kid on your designated school trip, there are lots of new spots around the block that show a touch of vibrancy and edge to this city.

Keep reading, as we reveal the 14 best things to do in Canberra!

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Top 14 Canberra Attractions and Activities

In no particular order, here is our top 14 things to see and do in Canberra and surrounds.

This guide to Canberra attractions and activities is part of our list of Sydney weekend getaway destinations. Check out that list for more great travel ideas in New South Wales.

1. Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial

Topping this list of Canberra tourist attractions is the Australian War Memorial. It’s both a museum and a national memorial to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service.

The upper level is home to the Roll of Honour, which records the names of all the Australian soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending our country in conflicts worldwide. The Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier represents all those unnamed people who have given their lives in war, and is a moving place to take a moment and reflect.

The lower levels are where the actual museum is located. Here, you will be taken on an immersive journey into Australia’s involvement in war, from World War I all the way to today’s conflicts. You will be impressed by the sheer size of the collection and the stories you will find along the way.

Official website: Australian War Memorial.

2. Parliament House

Parliament House in Canberra
Parliament House in Canberra

A visit to Canberra isn’t complete without a visit to Parliament House. Take a guided tour through Australia’s halls of power, including the House of Representatives and the Senate Chamber.

With an educated guide beside you, you will learn about our political system, how important laws are passed, and other fascinating stories from our political history.

The building itself is a striking piece of architecture, and you can learn about the vision behind the design and the vast collection of artworks that adorn its walls.

Official website: Parliament House.

3. National Zoo & Aquarium

National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra
National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra

Conveniently packaged together in the same location, the National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra is a stone’s throw from the city centre.

There are over 200 animals on site, and a great variety of hands-on experiences you can choose from. Depending on your time, you can spend a quick 15 minutes with your favourite animal, or join an all-day tour alongside a zookeeper, visiting enclosures and feeding animals from cute meerkats to big bears.

If you feel like going all out, spend a night or two at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge. A luxury safari experience in the heart of Canberra, you can get up close and personal with some of the zoo’s most exotic creatures.

Official website: National Zoo & Aquarium.

4. The Royal Australian Mint

Royal Australian Mint
Royal Australian Mint

If you love seeing how things are made, then it makes “cents” that you would enjoy the Royal Australian Mint. Puns aside, it is genuinely an interesting place to visit, and a fully functional factory where all Australian currency is made.

Here, you will learn about the history of the Australian dollar. From the first settlers and the gold rush, all the way to pioneering the making of polymer banknotes, Australia’s currency has a colourful history.

From above the factory floor, you can see coins being made in real-time, from the making of the dies to the final coins being packed and ready for circulation. If you are really lucky, you might get to see Titan Robot in action too.

On your way out via the gift shop, don’t forget to pick up something for your collection, or print your very own dollar coin!

Official website: The Royal Australian Mint.

5. Mount Ainslie Lookout

Mount Ainslie Lookout in Canberra
Mount Ainslie Lookout in Canberra

The Mount Ainslie Lookout is an excellent starting point when you first arrive in Australia’s capital Canberra.

Drive up to the top and get your first real look at the city, looking straight down Anzac Parade from the Australian War Memorial to the Old Parliament House.

From up there, you will get a real feel for the original vision for the city, as imagined by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marie Mahony Griffin, who won the first competition to design the bush capital.

There are walking tracks all over Mount Ainslie, and mountain biking tracks too, if you are feeling adventurous. One of the main tracks will take you all the way down to the Australian War Memorial, and is a nice steep hike on the way back up if you feel like a good workout.

Official website: Mount Ainslie Lookout.

6. National Museum of Australia

National Museum of Australia
National Museum of Australia

From a distance, the National Museum of Australia could easily be mistaken for an art gallery or a theme park. With its striking facade, the entire museum looks like a giant artwork, with a big roller-coaster in the middle.

The exhibitions are regularly updated, but the overall theme is about capturing highlights and key points in history that have helped to create the Australian identity that exists today. From Captain Cook to the Holden car, from Broome to Bundaberg, the exhibitions in the National Museum cast a broad net across Australian culture.

If you are looking for a museum with an inclusive view of Australian history, this one is hard to beat. There is a strong focus on the experience of Indigenous Australians, from the first arrival of European settlers to the present day. Integrated into the architecture of the museum itself are numerous indigenous artworks that are highly interactive.

Official website: National Museum of Australia.

7. Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House in Canberra
Old Parliament House in Canberra

Old Parliament House was the home of the federal parliament in Australia from 1927 all the way up to 1988, before they transitioned to the current Parliament House.

Back in its heyday, it was a small, nearly self-sufficient village with its own post office, barber, bars, and dining room. Today, it is home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, as it is considered the birthplace of many of Australia’s modern democratic policies.

If you want to take a deep dive into Australia’s political history, this is a great place to visit. Its detailed and fascinating exhibitions reveal how we achieved many of the democratic freedoms we take for granted today.

Official website: Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House.

8. National Gallery of Australia

National Gallery of Australia
National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia is a world-class art gallery. It regularly features large international exhibitions, with artworks from galleries such as the National Gallery in London.

Its facilities have played host to artworks from many iconic artists, such as Matisse, Picasso, and Monet. Its permanent collection combines renowned Australian artists and international stars, such as Yayoi Kusama.

Other unique places you will encounter on your visit include the Sculpture Garden, the Fern Garden, and the James Turrell Skyspace. These are all part of the permanent landscape of the gallery.

Official website: National Gallery of Australia.

9. Questacon

Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre

If you have a curious mind or know someone who never stops asking questions, Questacon is a fun place to indulge your inner geek.

There are over 200 science exhibits designed for all ages, including shows and interactive experiments.

Unlike a lot of other science museums, Questacon is designed to be really engaging for kids, and where every exhibit is designed to have fun first and learn along the way.

Located in the heart of the museum district in front of Old Parliament House, this is a must-see tourist attraction if you are visiting Canberra with the kids.

Official website: Questacon.

10. Australian National Botanic Gardens

Australian National Botanic Gardens
Australian National Botanic Gardens

The Australian National Botanic Gardens makes a great day out for the whole family. Nestled at the foot of Black Mountain, you will find over 4,300 species of plants here in the gardens. There are six main walking tracks through the area, which claims to have the most diverse range of Australian native plants in the world.

The Visitor Centre should be your first stop, and it is the start of the main path through the gardens. There are free one-hour tours with a volunteer guide twice daily if you want the company. Otherwise, it is a very easy place to navigate by yourself.

Some highlights we recommend are the refreshing valley of the Rainforest Gully, the waterfall in the Rock Garden, and the bright colours of the Red Centre Garden. If you are feeling very adventurous, you can even take the Summit Walk up to Telstra Tower at the top of Black Mountain.

Official website: Australian National Botanic Gardens.

11. National Library of Australia

National Library of Australia
National Library of Australia

The National Library is an imposing building, and it’s one of the easiest to spot in the parliamentary district where most of Canberra’s museums are located. But once you get a bit closer, you will find it is a nice tranquil spot to learn more about our nation’s history.

The historical collections in the library are vast and diverse, from the diaries of Banjo Patterson to the Sydney Olympic Torch. You will find the best highlights from the library’s permanent collection in the Treasures Gallery.

Take a library tour to get the full experience. You will learn about the building’s art and architecture and get to see behind the scenes at the more curious collections and the library team hard at work.

The Exhibition Gallery is where you will see the latest temporary exhibitions, ranging from photography, art, and historical curiosities from Australia and around the world.

Official website: National Library of Australia.

12. National Arboretum Canberra

National Arboretum in Canberra
National Arboretum in Canberra

The National Arboretum is an unusual and fascinating Canberra attraction.

It is unique to Canberra because it was included in the initial city plans by Walter Burley Griffin and Marie Mahoney Griffin. But after seven years of dealing with the local government, they gave up, and many features of their original design never came to life.

Generations later, the creative couple’s vision for the city is slowly coming back to life, and the Arboretum is an engaging piece of the puzzle. It is essentially a park with various types of trees planted in orderly spots, like a scientific collection of plants on a big scale.

Planted on a hillside with scenic terraces overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, you can see the cityscape from the various lookouts. You can stroll over to the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion for a different view of the city. Or you can go up the hill to the Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout, where you can look down on the sweeping Forest of Remembrance on the opposite side.

Official website: National Arboretum Canberra.

13. Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burley Griffin

Did you know that Lake Burley Griffin is a completely man-made lake?

It’s a centrepiece of the city, but it was part of the original design. It creates a refreshing sea change in the middle of the bush capital, and many of the major museums are located along its foreshore, including the National Museum of Australia, the National Gallery, Questacon, and various others.

There is plenty to do on and around the lake, including easy walking and cycling paths. A popular route is the 5 km “bridge to bridge” walk, between Commonwealth Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge. There are various spots where you can go kayaking, rowing, or stand-up paddling if being on the water is more your thing.

One of the most remarkable sights in Lake Burley Griffin is the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a powerful water fountain that sends water more than 150 metres into the air. The water is pumped from the lake and is spit into the air with an exit velocity of 260 km per hour.

Official website: Lake Burley Griffin.

14. National Portrait Gallery

National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery

If the National Gallery didn’t have quite enough art to satisfy you, take a short walk down the street past the High Court of Australia to find the National Portrait Gallery.

The idea of a national collection of portraits was originally suggested by the famous Australian painter Tom Roberts in the early 20th century. He encouraged the government to keep a “painted record” of prominent figures in Australian culture at the time.

But it wasn’t until 1992 that the first major portrait collection was exhibited and toured Australia, inspired by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. Several years later, in 1999, a permanent collection was established in a section of Old Parliament House, until finally in 2008, the standalone gallery building was opened to the public.

Official website: National Portrait Gallery.

 
 

14 Best things to do in Canberra and surrounds

 
2 Comments
  1. I live in Canberra (which is why I follow Sydney Uncovered, because we go there a lot), and your suggested things to do in Canberra are the main things I would rate highly too, for both visitors and residents. If you want to do a supplement I can tell you some low key but very Canberra things, that might be really nice for Sydney city kids, like where you can always find kangaroos in groups of 20-60, munching the grass and sitting about scratching themselves any time of the day or week and only about 3 kms from Civic, and 1 km from The Lodge. Things that are so easy to access in a city of 500k rather than 4m people. Canberra’s plentiful parks and bushland within the city has been an absolute pleasure and godsend for so many of us during the restrictions.

    Reply
    • So glad you liked, and agreed with, our list of Canberra highlights, Margaret. And thanks so much for sharing valuable insider tips. The more ideas and tips from locals, the better!

      Reply
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