37 Unforgettable Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Canberra

March 22, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 2724 Views

Canberra is the national capital city of Australia. It sits at the northern end of the Australian Alps in the Australian Capital Territory in New South Wales State. The city is a repository of the nation’s history and culture. The majority of the best things to do in Canberra, Australia revolve around these museums, memorials, cultural venues, government buildings, and national monuments.

This region was inhabited by Ngunnawal people before European settlement began here in the 19th century. There are also a few Canberra tourist attractions such as St. John’s Anglican Church & Blundells Cottage, that hail from the early settlement period. But, the best places to visit in Canberra to learn the entire history of the region is the city’s museum. This city is home to national museums dedicated to history, archeology, science, art, culture, currency, library, horticulture, botany, sports, and more. You can basically learn all about Australia when you visit Canberra.

This place was chosen to build the capital of Australia. The city was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Many of the Canberra attractions are named after them including the city’s central lake. The entire city is built around the lake, which too was artificially created. Around the lake, you will find some of the most popular things to do and see in Canberra including the parliament buildings, national museums, war memorials, and huge public parks.

If you want to admire the work of the architects, you need to get a little higher. Fortunately, there are quite a few vantage points on the hill for Canberra sightseeing. The most well-known among these is on Mount Ainslie. You can also take a Hot Air Balloon Ride to cruise over the city to get an even better view.

But, Canberra travel is not all about museums, monuments, and historical buildings. The city is surrounded by beautiful hills, forests, and wetlands. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to do in Canberra including hiking, camping, stargazing at night, swimming in waterfall ponds, and even skiing (more on that in the next section). There are also several themed gardens and amusement parks for fun things to do in Canberra with family. The city has something for everyone.

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Table of Contents

Top 37 Tourist Places to Visit in Canberra, Australia

1. National Museum of Australia

This museum focuses on the history of Australia, specifically the social aspects. The museum narrates history through stories, belief systems, folklore, artifacts, archeological findings, and more. It is one of the best places to visit in Canberra, Australia if you want to truly understand the culture of the country. The building housing the museum is also quite admirable for its contemporary architecture. You will need about 2 to 3 hours to tour this vast museum.

I suggest you should go for a Guided Tour of the National Museum of Australia with an Entrance Ticket.

2. National Zoo & Aquarium

The museum houses hundreds of land and aquatic animals originating from all around the world. You can see Tasmanian devil, Humhead Fish, Owls, Alligator, Barbary Sheep, Dingos, Reef Shark, Hyena, Kangaroo, African Lions, Tigers, Koala, Leopard, Ostrich, and many more. But, the zoo is included among top things to do in Canberra with family for its animal encounter experiences. You can feed tigers, bears, rhinoceros, giraffe, lions, and others. You can get into a room with cute little meerkats and red pandas. The place is a venue to make beautiful memories when you visit Canberra. You will need about 2 hours to explore this zoo and aquarium, more if you are staying for the experience.

3. Canberra Museum & Gallery

Sitting right in the middle of the city, the Canberra museum tells the story of this metropolis and its people. This is one of the top places to begin Canberra sightseeing. It will give you context on the rest of the trip, especially the historical attractions. The museum sheds light on various social, political, and cultural aspects through historical artifacts, photographs, documents, and archeological exhibits. In the same building, you can explore the Canberra Gallery, which has more than 160 exhibits dedicated to regional, international, classical, and contemporary artworks. You will need an hour for this museum and gallery.

4. Jamala Wildlife Lodge

This lodge is part of the National Zoo & Aquarium and you can stay overnight in the zoo watching animals going about their nocturnal activities. If you are looking for fun things to do in Canberra at night, this place has a lot of experiences for you. You can feed animals with your hands. You can also have dinner and spa-facing glassed enclosures. The animals can see you and you them. Basically, each window in the lodge is a view to the wild (or the ocean). Take 24 hours from Canberra travel to experience this place.

5. Australian War Memorial

Built during the second world war, this memorial is dedicated to fallen heroes of Australia. It is one of the most majestic things to see in Canberra, Australia. The memorial is built like a byzantine palace. The central structure has a dominating presence, which is further enhanced by the large green dome. The structure’s courtyard has the name of every Australian who died in the war in 1885 inscribed in bronze. This complex is home to several Canberra tourist attractions including galleries and exhibits dedicated to wars, soldiers, and military divisions. You need an hour to tour this monumental site.

I suggest you should book a Full Day Tour to see the different attractions of Canberra, including the Australian War Memorial.

6. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is popular for lots of outdoor activities to do in Canberra, Australia. The reserve has a beautiful forested landscape with different types of hiking and walking trails. The reserve has both expert-guided & self-guided trails to see several Australian animals including koalas, grassland earless dragons, wallabies, kangaroos, Platypus, and more. The reserve is also one of the top Canberra attractions for family tourists including bbq picnics, campsites, and guided bush walks. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours with nature at this place.

7. Corin Forest Mountain Resort

This resort is part of the Tidbinbilla nature reserve and is known for some very cool things to do in Canberra, Australia. Literally! You can come here for skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snowball fights, forest hikes, and much more. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this place.

8. New Parliament House

Built-in 1912 and designed by Burley Griffin, this government building is famous for its architecture. The structure is designed like a boomerang. The two circular granite walls with a ceremonial pool in front of it. In the foyer, you will see 48 green marble columns that create an illusion of a eucalyptus forest. If you are interested in architecture, this complex is one of the best places to see in Canberra. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to tour the New Parliament House.

9. Namadgi National Park

This is one of the 11 protected areas that cover the Australian Alps. You will see beautiful mountains, valleys, forests, river basins, waterfalls, rock formations, and grasslands. It is one of the best places for outdoor activities to do in Canberra, Australia. People come here for hiking, trekking, camping, stargazing, birdwatching, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, and wildlife spotting. The national park is also home to cultural Canberra tourist spots concerning aboriginal tribes and early European settlements. You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours exploring the wonders of nature in this park when you visit Canberra.

10. Capital Region Farmers Market

This market is held every Saturday at the Rotary Club of Hall. It is one of the most fun places to go in Canberra. You can find regional fresh produce, street food, baked goods, dairy products, plants, flowers, meat products, wines, beverages, and more. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring this market.

11. Lake Burley Griffin

This lake is the centerpiece of the city and is named after Burley Griffin, the architect who designed the city’s plan. There are several things to see and do in Canberra centered around this lake. The lake is surrounded by tourist attractions and has six islands. It is also popular for outdoor activities to do in Canberra including boating, dinner cruise, hiking, nature trails, and so on. You can spend an hour or so cruising this lake.

12. Australian Institute of Sports

Australians absolutely love their sports and this institute sheds light on Australia’s sporting history. It is a must-do in Canberra if you are a sports enthusiast as well. The Sportex exhibit at this museum is an amazing interactive immersive experience. Sportex has gamified exhibits for football, bobsleigh, rowing, wheelchair race, cycling, skiing, wheelchair basketball, and more. You need about an hour and a half from Canberra travel to tour this museum.

I suggest you should book a Guided Tour of the Australian Institute of Sports with an Admission Ticket.

13. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

This building was built in 1927 for King GeorgeVI (Duke of York at the time) and was the former parliament building. Aside from its classical architecture, the building is also included among Canberra’s famous places for the Museum of Australian Democracy. This museum looks at the political history of the nation, especially the country’s prime ministers and their work. You can also tour the old parliament building’s House of Representatives, Press Room, House of Commons, House of Lords, and other chambers. You will need 2 hours to tour this complex.

14. Jet Flight Simulator

This simulator lets you pilot a Boeing 737-800 airplane, virtually of course. It is one of the best things to do in Canberra, Australia if you want a unique experience. You can pick from 22,000 airports and weather conditions to fly the plane for 60 minutes. The simulation also throws unexpected challenges such as storms and engine failures making the experience all the more exciting. You will need an hour for this experience.

15. Mount Ainslie Lookout

Sitting 843 meters high, this lookout is one of the best spots for Canberra sightseeing. The view from this lookout is amazing. A tree-lined path leads to Burley Lake and the parliament building on the other side. Then onwards is an endless expanse of hills and forests all the way to the horizon. You can get here by car. But there are also cycling and hiking trails to get here. You will need about 2 hours for this Canberra tourist attraction.

16. National Gallery of Australia

This gallery has the largest art collection in the country. The gallery exhibits artworks hailing from Australia, Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific from different eras. It is also the best place to visit in Canberra, Australia to see aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks. The sculpture garden is especially a sight to behold. You will need 2 hours to tour this art museum.

17. Australian National Botanic Gardens

Spread over 50 hectares on the slopes of Black Mountain, these gardens present all kinds of Australian fauna. This is one of the best places to visit in Canberra if you are fond of plants, trees, flowers, or horticulture. There are more than four thousand species of plants along with rock gardens, fountains, sculptures, and art installations. It is also one of the top tourist spots in Canberra for clicking Insta worthy pictures. The gardens, water features, and installations make for an amazing backdrop. You will need about an hour to tour this garden.

18. Questacon – The National Science & Technology Centre

This science center has some amazing tech-based interactive exhibits. If you are looking for fun things to do in Canberra with family then this is the place to be. The center has exhibits dedicated to robotics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography, and several other scientific disciplines. But, it is more popular for the variety of indoor activities to do in Canberra. This science center has many labs where you can participate in fun experiments. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this place.

19. Black Mountain Nature Reserve

Spread over 434 hectares, this nature reserve covers the Black Mountain and the forested area around it. The reserve is known for its rich natural heritage and native Australian wildlife. People come here for outdoor activities to do in Canberra including cycling, hiking, and birdwatching. The reserve also has facilities for picnics. You will need at an hour to complete one of the nature trails in the reserve.

20. Telstra Tower

Perched at the top of Black Mountain, this communication tower is an iconic landmark. Surrounded by wilderness, this tower is one of the best observation decks to see the city and the surrounding hills. You can hike the trails in Black Mountain Nature Reserve to get to this tower. You will need 20 to 30 minutes from Canberra travel to enjoy the views from here. If can manage, go watch the sun rise or set from this tower. It is an incredibly beautiful sight.

21. Old Bus Depot Markets

This quirky market is a popular spot for shopping and eating in Canberra. The 200 stalls in the market sell everything from handmade jewelry to street food. If you are looking to sample some local dishes and buy souvenirs, take an hour or so from Canberra sightseeing to explore this market.

22. National Portrait Gallery of Australia

This gallery exhibits over 3,000 portraits depicting the most influential Australians. You will see aboriginal leaders, founding fathers of the country, writers, politicians, musicians, writers, and other icons of the nation. The gallery also exhibits paintings, photographs, and sculptures. You will need an hour to tour this art gallery when you visit Canberra.

23. Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve

This wetland was created when they were trying to fill Lake Burley Griffin and the water level rose in the Molonglo river floodplain. Ironic, right? This wetland is one of the most popular Canberra attractions for birdwatching. The wetlands become home to more than 170 species of birds. But, it depends on the season which birds you will get to see. Some of the popular birds to spot in these wetlands include purple swamphen, eastern rosellas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, and black swans. It is one of the top things to do in Canberra for families as well. The wetlands have special tours for children and family groups with activities. You will need at least an hour for a guided tour through these wetlands.

24. National Library of Australia

This library has a collection of historic Australian literary materials including books, novels, newspapers, oral history, music, folklore, pictures, manuscripts, and more. The most well-known artifacts in this library include Wills’ Diary of Expeditions with Burke and Captain Cook’s Journal. The building housing the library is one of the most amazing things to see in Canberra, Australia. It is designed like a Greek Temple using marble brought from Greece. You will need about an hour to tour this gallery.

25. National Carillon

This tower sits on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin. It was a gift to Canberra from the British government to commemorate the city’s 50th anniversary. It is one of the most unique Canberra tourist spots. The white tower is 50 meters tall and adorned with quartz and opal chip. The tower holds 55 bells, the heaviest among these weighs 6 metric tons. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this tower.

26. Royal Australian Mint

This mint houses the history of Australian currency. You will see all types of coins including circulation coins, commemorative coins, collector’s coins, investment coins, and premium coins. It is one of the most interesting places to see in Canberra, Australia. This is also the place where all of Australia’s coins are made and you can watch the process from a viewing gallery. You will need an hour to tour this mint.

27. The Glassworks

This studio is dedicated to the art and craft of shaping glass. If you have enjoyed the videos of craftsmen shaping molten glass, you will love this place. You can see several artists at work and even take workshops with them. It is one of the coolest things to do in Canberra. In these workshops, you can make your own glasswork. The studio also exhibits glass artworks and provides stories and context about the works. You can also buy beautiful souvenirs from the studio. You will need an hour or so to experience this studio.

28. Truffle Farm

Sitting in the laps of Majura Valley, this farm is dedicated to cultivating, hunting, and cooking truffles. This is one of the most fun places to go in Canberra if you are looking for some pastoral experiences. You can see trained dogs and pigs hunt for truffles in forests and grasslands. Alongside the hunt, you can also experience luxury dining of truffle-based cuisine with fine wine designed by a Michelin-star chef. This is definitely a must-do in Canberra if you are looking for something memorable and offbeat. You will need about 2 hours to experience the Truffle Farm.

29. Cockington Green Gardens

This garden recreates miniature English villages and monuments. It is one of the most interesting things to see and do in Canberra for families. Aside from miniature models, you can take a ride in a miniature steam train and tour a 3-story doll house with Georgian interiors. You will need an hour to tour this place when you visit Canberra.

30. Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

This space center sits in the middle of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. It is the largest antenna complex in the Southern hemisphere. This centre is a must-do in Canberra if you are interested in space science, the life of astronauts, and astronomy. You can learn about the history of space exploration, find out what astronauts get to eat, check out models of space shuttles, and more. You will also find equipment that has actually been to space and a 3.8 billion years old piece of the moon. You will need about an hour to tour this complex.

31. National Arboretum

The arboretum is spread over 250 hectares of forests and gardens with native Australian fauna, even some rare and exotic ones. The place has more than 73,000 plants and trees belonging to over 6,000 species. It is included among Canberra’s famous places for its collection of Bonsai and Penjing creations. You will need an hour or so to tour this place.

32. Batemans Bay Tour

This bay is about 2 hours drive away from the city and makes for a perfect day trip during Canberra travel. The bay is known for its incredibly beautiful beaches, coastal trails, islands, rock formations, and other natural wonders. It is also one of the best places to visit near Canberra for hiking trails. You can walk along the coastal forests exploring scenic beauty. You will also find oyster farms and a few historic towns along the Batemans Bay coast. You need at least half a day for this trip.

If you love adventure activities then I suggest you should go for a Kayak Tour at Batemans Bay.

33. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Ascend to the sky in a Hot Air Balloon to get a bird’s eye view of the city and the beautiful forested hills that surround it. The view of the sun rising from behind the hills is one of the most beautiful things to see in Canberra. You can also fly over the popular landmarks in the city like the parliament buildings and lake Burley Griffin. It is one of the most fun things to do in Canberra, Australia. You will need an hour for this experience.

34. Pink Lake

Also known as Millennial Pink Lake, this pond is one of the most picture-worthy Canberra tourist attractions. The water is not actually pink but is covered by the petals of Azolla Pinnata. You will also find ducks swimming around in this pond. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to click pictures with this pond.

35. Mount Stromlo Observatory

This observatory is perched atop Mount Stromlo and is one of the best Canberra attractions for stargazing. You should visit this place during public astronomy nights held between April and September to get a guided tour of the night sky. The visitor centre at the observatory has several interactive exhibits that tell you about the wonders of space. You will need an hour from Canberra travel to tour this place.

36. Gibraltar Falls

This waterfall sits in the Gibraltar Special Purpose Reserve. It is one of the top spots for outdoor activities to do in Canberra. People come here for exploring the forests, camping, picnics, birdwatching, and swimming in natural streams and ponds. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying nature in this reserve when you visit Canberra.

37. Gold Creek Village

This amusement and adventure park is filled with rides, themed attractions, a zoo, gardens, games, activities, and more. This is one of the best things to do in Canberra with family. The park includes a dinosaur museum, a reptile zoo, an aviary, a toy train ride, and themed eateries. Children get to learn about animals and even interact with some of them. You can spend an hour or more from Canberra sightseeing to enjoy here.

If you are looking for more cool things to do in Canberra, Australia check out the sections below. We have put together a complete list of all the attractions and activities that you can enjoy in and around Canberra city.

Things to do in Canberra, Australia

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Canberra, Australia

Australian War Memorial
National Museum of Australia
National Gallery of Australia
Questacon – National Science & Technology Centre
Old Parliament House
New Parliament House
National Portrait Gallery
Royal Australian Mint
National Library of Australia
Canberra Museum & Gallery
National Carillon Tower
National Capital Exhibition
National Dinosaur Museum
National Film & Sound Archive of Australia
Anzac Parade
Australian Institute of Sports
Drill Hall Gallery
The Shine Dome
Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial
Mount Stromlo Observatory
Craft ACT Gallery
The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection
Gorman Arts Centre
Captain James Cook Memorial
Australian Korean War Memorial
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Memorial
Saint Christopher’s Cathedral
Hellenic Club of Canberra
John Night Memorial Park
Government House
Canberra Railway Museum
Lanyon Homestead
Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Calthorpes House
Belconnen Arts Centre

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Canberra, Australia

Lake Burley Griffin
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Namadgi National Park
Mount Ainslie
Black Mountain Nature Reserve
Mount Kosciuszko
Blundells Cottage
Black Mountain Peninsula
Booroomba Rocks
Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve
Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve
Acton Peninsula
Gibraltar Falls
Canberra Nature Park
Pine Island Reserve
Mulligans Flats Nature Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Canberra, Australia

Australian National Botanical Garden
National Zoo & Aquarium
National Arboretum
Canberra The Glassworks
Cockington Green Garden
Weston Park
Commonwealth Park
The Truffle Farm
CSIRO Discovery Centre
Glebe Park
Tulip Top Gardens
Canberra Jet Flight Simulator
Lenox Gardens
Canberra Nara Peace Park
Manuka Oval Stadium
Pod Playground
Beijing Garden
Power Cart Raceway
Senate Gardens
Haig Park
Telopea Park
Capital Wines
Canberra Aqua Park
Yarralumla Play Station
Queen Elizabeth II Park
Kings Park
Mount Majura Wineyard
Big Splash Waterpark
Canberra Miniature Railway

Shopping in Canberra, Australia

Old Bus Depot Markets
Hall Markets
Canberra Centre
Capitol Region Farmers Market
Garema Place
Southside Farmers Market
Bailey’s Corner
Haid Park Farmers Market
Manuka Street
Queanbeyan Market
Lonsdale Street

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Canberra, Australia

Hiking
Wildlife Spotting
Birdwatching
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Nature Trails
Swimming
Boat Cruise

Sightseeing in Canberra, Australia

Mount Ainslie Lookout
Telstra Tower
Civic Square
Australian High Court Building
Kingston Foreshore
City Hill
Canberra Centenary Trail
Red Hill Lookout
Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Canberra, Australia

ONA Coffee House
Tilley’s Devine Cafe Gallery
Bar Rochford
Verity Lane
INKA
Griffith Vietnamese
Tiny bar
The Old Canberra Inn
Pollen Cafe
Brodburger
Vincent
Two Before Ten
Corella Bar
CBD Dumpling House
Paranormal Wines
Lazy Su
Intra Coffee
Eighty Six
The Alby
Space Kitchen
The Cupping Room
Gelato Messina
The Boat House
Sweet Bones Cafe
Bario Collective Coffee
Three Mills Bakery
Mu Omakase
Mocan & Green Grout
Courgette
Snapper by the Lake

Where to Stay in Canberra?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Canberra. You can check the below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Canberra.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Canberra

How to Reach Canberra, Australia?

By Air

The city is served by Canberra International Airport sitting 8 km outside the city centre. You can get direct flights to visit Canberra from several cities in Australia including Newcastle, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, and Hobart. The airport will soon connect with several international destinations starting with Doha and Singapore.

You can get buses and cabs to get to places to visit in Canberra city from the airport.

By Road

Canberra sits on the NSW Countrylink train route. This route connects the city with Sydney, Melbourne, and several cities in between. You can also get connecting train to reach Canberra from Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and other cities falling on the route. You can get buses to get to Canberra from several cities in the southeast region of Australia.

If you want to reach Canberra by road, you should head for routes M23, B52, A23, or A25. These routes will take you to the Australian Capital Territory.

By Water

There are no direct water routes for Canberra travel.

Image Reference

National Museum of Australia – Sam Ilić / Flickr
National Zoo & Aquarium – David Burke / Flickr
Canberra Museum and Gallery – SandwichCafe / Flickr
Jamala Wildlife Lodge –
Australian War Memorial – Patty Jansen / PixaBay
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve – Joy VanBuhler / Flickr
Corin Forest Mountain Resort – spelio / Flickr
New Parliament House – Lee Chandler / PixaBay
Namadgi National Park – Steve Bittinger / Flickr
Capital Region Farmers Market –
Lake Burley Griffin – Design n Print / PixaBay
Australian Institute of Sports – DaHuzyBru / Wikimedia Commons
Old Parliament House & Museum of Australian Democracy – Stu Rapley / Flickr
Jet Flight Simulator – SuperJet International / Flickr
Mount Ainslie Lookout – Orion Kahza / Flickr
National Gallery of Australia – Nick-D / Wikimedia Commons
Australian National Botanic Gardens – Bidgee / Wikimedia Commons
Questacon – The National Science & Technology Centre – Ruth Ellison / Flickr
Black Mountain Nature Reserve – Jordan Hatch / Flickr
Telstra Tower – Squirrel_photos / PixaBay
Old Bus Depot Markets – David / Flickr
National Portrait Gallery of Australia – Thennicke / Wikimedia Commons
Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve – SandwichCafe / Flickr
National Library of Australia – MattExMachina / Flickr
National Carillon – Squirrel_photos / PixaBay
Royal Australian Mint – Simon Yeo / Flickr
The Glassworks – Steve Bittinger / Flickr
Truffle Farm – Marc Dalmulder / Flickr
Cockington Green Gardens – Maksym Kozlenko / Wikimedia Commons
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex – Neerav Bhatt / Flickr
National Arboretum – John / Flickr
Batemans Bay Tour – denisbin / Flickr
Hot Air Balloon Ride – Neuroxic / Wikimedia Commons
Pink Lake – Grahamec / Wikimedia Commons
Mount Stromlo Observatory – Sharen / Flickr
Gibraltar Falls – Elliott McFarlane / Wikimedia Commons
Gold Creek Village – Pursuedbybear / Flickr