visit canberra family

15 Exciting Things To Do With Kids On A Canberra Family Holiday

A family trip to Canberra might not be the first destination you think of visiting in Australia . But while many often overlook it in favour of its more prominent counterparts like Sydney , Melbourne and Brisbane, the nation’s capital nonetheless has plenty to offer for families seeking an enriching and entertaining experience.

Not convinced? Keep reading until the end because this article will showcase what makes this city so appealing for a family to visit.

From fascinating museums and outstanding natural beauty to outdoor adventures and cultural explorations, Canberra has something to delight every family member, ensuring that your visit there will be full of laughter, enjoyment, and long-lasting memories.

Best Time to Visit Canberra

Getting around in canberra, where to stay in canberra with kids, best things to do in canberra for families, more tips for visiting canberra with kids.

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While the nation’s capital is a destination you can visit all year round, the best time to visit Canberra with kids is typically during the spring and autumn months, which in Australia runs from September to November and March to May , respectively.

During these seasons, Canberra experiences mild and pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities and exploration. Spring brings blooming gardens and vibrant landscapes, with the iconic Floriade festival adding an extra touch of charm.

In autumn, the city is adorned with stunning foliage, creating a picturesque setting for family adventures.

These seasons also offer a break from the extreme temperatures of summer and the cold of winter, ensuring that your family can comfortably enjoy the city’s diverse attractions and cultural experiences.

Hiring a car is always a good option when travelling with children, especially in Australia. It provides you with the flexibility to go where you want when you want in comfort and also gives you convenient and mobile storage space for items like prams, baby bags and even scooters and rollerskates.

If you want to hire a vehicle during your family trip to Canberra, you will be pleased to discover that many of the major car rental companies, including Hertz, Budget, Avis and Enterprise, have desks at Canberra airport and locations around the city.

That said, given that the city has excellent road links and public transportation options, you do not have to hire a car in Canberra to get around.

Canberra’s public bus system, operated by ACTION, provides reliable transportation throughout the city. Buses are generally clean and safe and can be an economical way to get around. If you plan to stay in and around the city centre, buses can be a convenient option for accessing many attractions, including shops, restaurants, galleries and museums.

In addition to the buses, Canberra has a modern light rail system connecting Gungahlin north to the city centre and the southern suburbs. The light rail is a great way to get around the central parts of Canberra and offers a smooth and comfortable ride.

To use public transport, you can purchase a MyWay card , which offers discounted fares compared to cash payments. These cards can be convenient for families as they can be easily topped up, and you can use them on both buses and light rail.

Overall, riding on public transport can be cost-effective and environmentally friendly. Subsequently, it’s a good option if you primarily plan to explore the central parts of the city. It can also relieve you of the hassle of finding parking.

If you prefer a quicker, more convenient option, Taxis and ridesharing services like Uber are plentiful in the city.

As you would expect from the nation’s capital, plenty of accommodation options are available for those intending to visit Canberra with kids.

Whether you want to treat yourself to a luxury five-star hotel or prefer a more cost-effective Airbnb option, you can pick from many establishments and properties – located in several agreeable suburbs.

For this reason, which suburb you stay in is just as important as the accommodation provider you book with.

Here are the best suburbs to base yourself in during your Canberra family holiday, as well as a popular and well-respected place to stay:

City Centre

During your family holiday, staying in Canberra’s city centre offers convenience and accessibility to many of the city’s top attractions – including Questacon, the Australian National Museum and Lake Burley Griffin.

The Novotel Canberra is a terrific accommodation choice if you want to base yourself here. This family-friendly hotel provides spacious rooms, an indoor heated pool, and a Kids’ Corner with games and entertainment. So it is well set up for you to enjoy a comfortable stay.

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Staying in Dickson during a Canberra family holiday is an excellent choice for its central location and family-friendly vibe. You’re close to various excellent dining options, making it easy to explore diverse cuisine and not far from the city’s major attractions.

One of the top picks for a place to stay here is the ‘Abode Dickson’. It offers spacious and well-equipped apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens, making it perfect for families who want to self-cater. 

The hotel also features complimentary Wi-Fi, a Smart TV and laundry facilities, which is particularly handy if you have young children.

Kingston and Manuka

These inner south suburbs offer a mix of dining, shopping and outdoor spaces. Additionally, Manuka is home to Manuka Pool , a popular summer spot for families and the Manuka Oval, where cricket matches – in particular those featuring the Australian women’s team.

A good place to stay here is the Burbury Hotel . It is located in the Realm precinct and offers stylish rooms and easy access to cafes and restaurants.

Belconnen is one of the best suburbs you can stay in for kids’ activities in Canberra. This family-friendly area is home to several parks, playgrounds and the shimmering waters of Lake Ginninderra –  ideal for water activities like swimming and kayaking.

The popular Premier Hotel & Apartments is an excellent option for those wanting to stay somewhere with kitchen facilities and good-sized rooms.

Tuggeranong

For those wanting to base themselves near Canberra’s more beautiful natural attractions, it’s worth staying in Tuggeranong. This suburb is located in the southern part of the city and offers attractions like Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Lake Tuggeranong.

One of the best places for families to stay here is the Abode Tuggeranong . It provides well-appointed apartment-style accommodations with comfortable bedrooms, a decent bathroom and kitchenette facilities.

If you intend to bring your caravan and campervan to Canberra, you can stay at several caravan parks and campgrounds in the city’s outer suburbs.

Some of the most popular of them include:

Canberra South Motor Park

This motor park is a short drive from the city centre and close to Tuggeranong and surrounding attractions. It features powered and unpowered sites, an amenities block, a camp kitchen and BBQ facilities.

Alivio Tourist Park Canberra

You’ll find this tourist park in a bushland setting, so it is an excellent option for those wanting to be in a relaxed nature spot.

The tourist park features powered sites. It also has toilet amenities, a heated swimming pool and a playground, which the kids are sure to love.

If you are looking for family things to do in Canberra, you are in luck. The nation’s capital offers plenty of sites, attractions and activities to appeal to everyone.

Here is a list of 15 options you might want to consider on your family itinerary.

1. Questacon – The National Science and Technology Center

One of the best things for families to do in Canberra is to visit Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre.

Located in the heart of the city, Questacon is a dynamic and interactive science museum that caters to visitors of all ages. It features over 200 engaging exhibits that will fascinate your children. Kids can participate in hands-on experiments, engage with interactive displays, and experience thrilling demonstrations. The ‘Free Fall’ slide is a particular highlight for older children, offering an exciting lesson in physics.

Questacon’s educational and entertaining approach to science ensures that learning becomes an adventure. Visitors can explore various themes, from Earth sciences to space exploration, all while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. Australian National Botanic Gardens

Canberra is known for its lush gardens and green spaces, with the Australian National Botanic Gardens being one of the best places to experience their beauty.

This expansive 90-acre garden is dedicated to preserving and showcasing native Australian plants – providing a unique opportunity to explore the country’s diverse flora. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens that exhibit various Australian plants, such as rainforest species, arid zone flora, and alpine plants.

They can also learn about the rich biodiversity of Australia’s ecosystems and the significance of conservation. Overall, it’s an excellent spot for families to spend quality time together while learning about Australia’s natural heritage.

3. National Zoo & Aquarium

One of the best kids activities in Canberra to pencil into your itinerary is a visit to the National Zoo & Aquarium.

This attraction allows your family to get up close and personal with various species of animals, including lions, tigers, bears and giraffes.

In addition to standard zoo exhibits, the zoo offers behind-the-scenes experiences, such as animal encounters and zookeeper talks.

You can even spend the night in a luxury animal lodge to truly immerse yourself in the wildlife experience.

4. National Dinosaur Museum

If your kids are fascinated by dinosaurs, you should make a point of visiting the National Dinosaur Museum in Nicholls.

Whilst there, they can marvel at life-sized dinosaur replicas, fossils and interactive displays that provide an educational and entertaining experience for young palaeontologists.

5. Cockington Green Gardens

One of the quirkiest attractions in Canberra is Cockington Green Gardens .

This is a whimsical miniature village where you can explore meticulously crafted miniature buildings and landscapes. The gardens also feature a Gnome Hunt adventure that will enchant kids.

6. National Museum of Australia

Discover Australia’s rich history and cultural heritage at the National Museum of Australia.

Whilst there you can enjoy interactive exhibits – including fascinating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artefacts – and the captivating ‘Circa’ theatre show.

7. Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is both a museum and a place of remembrance, offering one of the most poignant family things to do in Canberra.

You can explore the military history of Australia through exhibitions, take in various ceremonies and partake in a moment of reflection during a moving rendition of the Last Post.

8. Lake Burley Griffin

One of the best things for families to do in Canberra is to visit Lake Burley Griffin.

This stunning artificial lake dominates the heart of the city, offering a serene backdrop for various outdoor activities like kayaking, paddleboarding and sailing.

You can take leisurely walks or bike rides along its scenic shores, providing panoramic views of Canberra’s iconic landmarks. The lake’s shores are also dotted with parks and picnic areas, perfect for family gatherings and relaxation.

9. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a haven for wildlife and offers numerous hiking trails through rugged landscapes.

During a visit there, kids can spot kangaroos, wallabies and emus. They can also enjoy the ‘Nature Discovery Playground’ – which, as the name implies, provides a place to play and explore in a stunning natural setting.

10. National Arboretum Canberra

The National Arboretum Canberra is home to an extensive collection of rare and endangered trees, which you may find of interest.

What families will love though is the Pod Playground –  a unique and adventurous play area with lots of equipment to get hands-on with. If that doesn’t entertain them, the huge sloping hills perfectly landscaped for rolly-pollies will keep them entertained for hours!

11. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)

If your kids love sports, one of the best things for families to do in Canberra is to visit the iconic Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Located in Bruce, this world-class sports training facility allows visitors to get a behind-the-scenes look at elite athlete development in Australia. Guided tours provide insights into cutting-edge sports science, athlete training, and performance analysis.

Interactive exhibits engage visitors of all ages, making it an educational and fun experience. You can test your skills in various sports, such as soccer and cycling, in the Sportex area. Additionally, the AIS often hosts sports-themed events, and its gift shop offers a range of sports-related memorabilia.

Whether you’re a sports fan or simply curious about athletic excellence, the AIS is a fascinating destination in the nation’s capital.

12. National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra is a world-renowned cultural institution showcasing an extensive collection of art, including Australian, Aboriginal, European, Asian and contemporary works.

Visitors can explore a wide range of exhibitions – from classical masterpieces to modern art installations – through brilliantly put-together displays that offer engaging and educational experiences for both children and adults.

13. Black Mountain and Telstra Tower

A trip to Black Mountain and Telstra Tower is an experience that offers breathtaking panoramic views and educational insights.

Black Mountain , situated near the CBD, is home to several hiking trails suitable for families, leading to its summit. The main highlight is Telstra Tower, which stands atop Black Mountain and offers stunning 360-degree vistas of Canberra and its surroundings.

The tower features informative displays about the city’s history and landmarks, making it a great place to start your Canberra exploration. The viewing platforms are also ideal for capturing memorable photos, especially during sunrise or sunset.

Overall, for the first-time visitor, it’s an opportunity to appreciate the city’s layout and the significance of its urban design, all set against a picturesque natural backdrop.

14. Old Bus Depot Markets

If you happen to be in Canberra on a Sunday, be sure to explore the Old Bus Depot Markets. There you can shop for local crafts, gourmet food and an eclectic mix of other unique finds.

Overall, it’s a great place to stroll, savour delicious treats and mingle with locals.

15. National Capital Exhibition

The National Capital Exhibition offers an informative and engaging introduction to the nation’s capital.

Located at Regatta Point, it presents a multimedia display, interactive exhibits and historical insights about the city’s planning and design.

Overall, it’s an excellent starting point for discovering the history and character of Canberra. Families can explore the evolution of Australia’s capital city, its iconic landmarks and the significance of its layout.

• During the week you will have to pay for parking within the city and main touristy areas. However, many spots are free on weekends. So if you intend to drive around the city whilst sightseeing, the weekend is a good time to do it.
• The Australian Capital Territory can get very cold and icy in winter; take care on the roads, and if you’ll be heading into nearby areas such as Corin Forest or Kosciuszko National Park, be mindful of the need for snow chains seasonally.
• If you have a bit more time available, consider detouring to Sydney . The city is a 3-hour drive from Canberra, so it would be worth allocating at least one night for an overnight stay if you decide to take a road trip there.
• Alternatively, you could combine a trip to Canberra with a scenic tour of the southern NSW Coast , making it a round trip from Sydney.
• Canberra is also a relatively easy drive from Melbourne. Follow this Melbourne to Canberra road trip itinerary for more ideas on interesting stopping points heading south and through country Victoria.

© Family Road Trip

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The perfect Canberra itinerary for families

Carla Grossetti

Sub-Editor & Journalist

30 October 2023

Canberra has long been a beacon for families and, these days, there are more and more reasons than ever to visit the compact national capital.

Drift above the skies of the nation’s capital with Balloon Aloft and you will see the city laid out before you, with the Brindabella Range swathed in fog during winter. You’ll also see the wheel-and-spoke street plan laid out by architect and city planner Walter Burley Griffin and the grand buildings dotted around the lake named after the famed American. The flight (suitable for children aged seven and over) will be followed by a breakfast (with bubbles for adults) at the Hyatt’s Promenade Café where each family member will receive a commemorative flight certificate.

Take a morning hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. (HCreations Photography For Visit Canberra)

After the excitement of dawn, make the most of a day of dazzling Canberra sunshine by visiting Mt Majura where you can learn firsthand about the First People’s connection with the land. A two-hour Dhawura Tour includes an Indigenous interpretation of the landscape with a member of the Nugunawal people. Discover insights into the cultural significance of scar trees, where bark was removed to make canoes, shelters and coolamons (water carriers), as well as the native habitat, specifically bush foods and medicines and their traditional uses.

The National Dinosaur Museum offers after-hours tours during school holidays that shine a light on reptiles of the Mesozoic era. Various one-hour torch-lit tours (scheduled to start at 5.30pm and 6.30pm) guide visitors past dino dioramas and into darkened galleries to see gargantuan fossil replicas in exhibitions that bring the ancient predators to life. Although there is a minimum age requirement of eight, the program includes tours aimed at children aged four to 10, which often include workshops to make fossil replicas. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Strike a balance between ‘what the kids want to do’ and ‘what the adults want to do’ and meet in the middle for a visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens , a stone’s throw from Canberra’s CBD. The gardens, which open from 8.30am, support a living collection of some 70,000 plants, and have been designed as a place for discovery and play with themed collections dotted around the 40-hectare property. Children can look for water dragons in the Tasmanian Garden Ponds, connect the dots between activity stations along the Children’s Discovery Trail and visit the two-storey Treehouse in the paperbark garden. Refuel on waffles at the popular Pollen Café .

Pop in for a feed at the Pollen Café in Canberra.

You don’t need to be an experienced equestrian to join Burnelee Excursions On Horseback for a one-hour ride near Murrumbateman, just over 30 minutes’ drive from Canberra’s CBD. The property has miles and miles of bushland for lessons and trail rides suitable for families with children aged eight and over. Clip-clop through the rolling countryside on Billie the Brumby and maybe even learn to canter across open paddocks on your Bush Experience, where you will likely encounter local wildlife such as kangaroos, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles and wallabies. Visit nearby Robyn Rowe Chocolates for hot chocolates all round.

For something a little different, go for a family horse ride with Burnelee Excursions.

Check out the National Zoo & Aquarium before checking into your accommodation at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in order to maximise the amount of time you get to spend in your suite, which will offer its own unique wildlife experience. Stay in one of the Jungle Bungalows , where lions, tigers and cheetahs prowl outside your big picture window, or in the Giraffe Treehouses within the enclosure that houses the African mammals. Guests at Jamala Wildlife Lodge also receive exclusive access to the zoo on the day of their departure.

Spend a family fun day at the National Zoo and Acquarium in Canberra.

Dedicate most of the morning to bouncing between Canberra’s main cultural attractions, all of which cater to families. The must-visits include: Questacon to see the whimsically arranged Clockwork Universe, which explores scientific theories of astronomy, and RoboQ, a mechanical humanoid; the CSIRO Discovery Centre (currently closed but due to reopen to the public for pre-booked visits during school holidays soon; check online for updates); and the Australian Institute Of Sport , where competitive families can channel their inner champion in the interactive Sportex exhibit (AIS Tours for the general public are suspended until 2022; check online for updates). Head to the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery Of Australia to create crazy reflections in Bert Flugelman’s iconic steel Cones and take in some history at Parliament House .

Bert Flugelman’s Cones at the NGA.

Take to the waters of Lake Burley Griffin on a GoBoat . No boat license or experience is required to take the electric picnic boats for a loop around the lake, which on a fine day, mirrors the olive-green trees and blue of the sky. You can order a GoBoat Nibble + Nourish grazing platter to go, or pack your own picnic for a cruise up the Central Basin to Springbank Island, where you will find barbecue facilities and undercover seating. Score a shady spot for a siesta under the weeping willows, which hang like leafy green curtains over the lake.

Arrive at Nils Desperandum as its silhouette starts to sharpen against the fading backdrop of Tidbinbilla Range . No, this rustic rammed earth cottage does not have wi-fi. Nor does it have electricity. What it does have is a fire pit located under a vast sky that might just help families break their tech addiction. Visit in winter when the temperature slips overnight producing a magical thin film of frost that covers the grass, turning it silver.

Rise with the sun and you will likely see kangaroos, koalas, emus and the ever-elusive platypus around the gorgeous grounds of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve , 40 minutes from the city. The platypus are most active in August, when they are often spotted along the Sanctuary Loop . Take the 700-metre-long Koala Path to get to a grove of eucalypts where the arboreal marsupials reside high in the trees.

Take a sunrise trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to spot some of Australia’s local creatures. (Visit Canberra)

The award-winning Pod Playground occupies prime real estate at the National Arboretum Canberra , offering panoramic views of the landscape stubbled with native grasses and plantings of more than 44,000 rare and significant trees. The acorn-themed playground, which opens at 7am, has climbing structures, slides, swings, giant acorn cubbies, and music-making instruments. Sign up for a kite-making workshop and float it high in the air from Dairy Farmers Hill. The nearby Children’s Garden also has a mix of active play spaces and areas designed for quiet contemplation.

Head to the Pod Playground, located within the National Arboretum.

Watch the Giants play a game of Aussie Rules at Manuka Oval in winter before exploring the streets of Manuka, a neighbourhood crammed with restaurants and shops. Head to whimsical kids’ fashion store Wolfie , watch artists blow molten glass blobs into a desired shape at nearby Canberra Glassworks in Kingston and see what the fuss is about at local cult favourite Brodburger .

Stop for a bite to eat at Brodurgers.

Neighbourhoods

Want to keep young minds occupied? Spend the day exploring Gold Creek Village in the suburb of Nicholls, which is dotted with family-friendly attractions: go to Cockington Green Gardens , Canberra Reptile Zoo , Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the National Dinosaur Museum .

This once-scuzzy suburb has been spiffed up and is now home to designer op shops, artisan bakers, small-batch brewers and edgy markets. While thrill-seeking teens can test their skills at Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports , both little and big kids will enjoy magical Quizzic Alley , home to the largest collection of Harry Potter merch in Australia.

Hire bicycles for your brood to tackle the nine-kilometre Eastern Loop of the Lake Burley Griffin Circuit before returning to Kingston, one of the oldest suburbs in Canberra. The artistic inner-south hub is centred around some of Canberra’s historic buildings such as the Kingston Powerhouse and Former Transport Depot and less than 10 minutes from the city centre.

Go for a family cycle around Lake Burley Griffin.

Getting from A to B

Canberra’s light rail network runs from the northern suburb of Gungahlin and into the CBD.

Transport Canberra also operates the public bus network, a convenient and cost-effective way to get around the city.

Download a city cycling map from Visit Canberra for city riding routes that pinpoint the perfect pit stops. The lake is surrounded by cycle paths and offers picturesque routes for a family bike ride. Share A Bike offers multiple automated bike rental machines. Neuron and Beam scooters are also great for getting around the city precinct for families with children over the age of 12.

Read more family travel tips on the Ultimate parents’ guide to our amazing Aussie cities.

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Pod playground, National Arboretum Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Canberra with kids: a 5-day itinerary 

With world-class museums and ample outdoor adventures, the ever-surprising Canberra region is an ideal short break destination for families.

 By Megan Arkinstall

The Aussie capital has long been a favoured destination with families. Anchored by its world-class museums and galleries, which are designed not only to educate but also to excite, it’s a fascinating playground for travellers of all ages.

The city itself has changed dramatically over the years, with a sophisticated food and wine scene and a host of new premium hotels adding to its already excellent cultural offering. Indeed, the Canberra region is an all-encompassing destination sure to please the entire family. Here's how to explore it in five days.

Canberra with kids: a 5-day itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Canberra

Questacon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Events ACT

Start your family adventure with a visit to Questacon , where learning about science and technology is a blast. Kids can play with easy-to-understand experiments, take a freefall down a six-metre (20-foot) slide, watch how lightning is formed, walk over the surface of the moon, and much more.  

The museum is located a stone’s throw from the city’s famous Lake Burley Griffin, so head there when you are finished inside to take a stroll along the lake and wander through the National Gallery of Australia’s Sculpture Garden , located on the shore. If time permits, board an hour-long afternoon scenic cruise with Lake Burley Griffin Cruises . For a casual dinner, Brodburger is a cheap and cheerful burger joint located a short drive from the cruise departure.

Day 2: Day trip to Murrumbateman 

Clonakilla Wines, Murrumbateman, New South Wales © VisitCanberra 

On the way back to Canberra, stop in at Poachers Pantry to purchase smoked meats, deli items and wines. You can also pre-order a gourmet picnic hamper.

• Drive time: under 1 hour

A quick 40-minute drive north from Canberra will bring you to Murrumbateman, just over the  New South Wales  border. This former gold mining town is now the main hub of Canberra’s cool-climate wine region. There are more than 20 boutique wineries to visit around the area, some of which are kid-friendly, such as renowned vineyard Clonakilla , which offers outdoor games and kids’ food boxes, and Tallagandra Hill , which has a pizza truck on Sundays as well as a kids’ playground.

Fortunately for the kids, it’s not all about wine. If you have a sweet tooth, head to Robyn Rowe Chocolates , which not only makes delicious handcrafted treats but has ample grassy areas for the kids to run and play on too.

Families with small children should pre-book a visit to Babylon Farm , which includes a farm tour and the opportunity to feed goats, chickens and alpacas. Or, if you want a little adventure, Burnelee Excursions on Horseback offers two-hour weekend horse rides on its 1,400-hectare (3,450-acre) property.

Day 3: Canberra 

National Dinosaur Museum, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Unmissable experience

If you are in the city on a Sunday, be sure to head to the Old Bus Depot Markets  which feature an array of stallholders touting local artistic wares as well as delicious food and produce.

Back in Canberra, it’s time for another day of exploring. First, head to the National Zoo & Aquarium , one of the country’s best zoos, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre. To have a truly memorable experience, pre-book one of the Close Encounter tours, such as hand-feeding a tiger, meeting the meerkats or even becoming a zookeeper for the day.

If you have a young palaeontologist in your family, the National Dinosaur Museum – a 15-minute drive north of the city – is a must for its massive collection of interactive dinosaurs, skeletons and fossils. Pair your visit with a stop by the nearby Cockington Green Gardens to wander around incredible landscaped gardens that are filled with miniature buildings and scenes from around the world, including a miniature steam train.

Stay: Fully immerse yourself with the animals at the luxurious Jamala Wildlife Lodge at the National Zoo & Aquarium.

Day 4: Day trip to Braidwood  

View from Mt Ainslie, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Rob Mulally for VisitCanberra

• Drive time: about 1 hour

Head out of the city today towards Braidwood, a historic town in the New South Wales Southern Tablelands. On your way, stop by the Farm Shop Café at Pialligo Estate for a coffee break, about 15 minutes’ drive from Canberra’s city centre. This beautiful property boasts a vineyard, smokehouse and farm, and has a sensory playground for kids right by the café.

Another hour east and you’ll arrive at Braidwood, a National Trust Gold Rush town resplendent in colonial architecture. Pay a visit to the Braidwood Museum to learn about the local history of gold fever and bushrangers, and then browse shops such as The Boiled Lolly , an old-fashioned confectionery store, and DOJO Bread for authentic German-style bread.

Drive another 30 minutes south of Braidwood to Monga National Park to walk through ancient rainforest on the Penance Grove Walking Track . 

Back in Canberra after a day exploring, head to Mt Ainslie Lookout for sprawling views over the city (or if you have older active kids you can walk to the summit from behind the Australian War Memorial).

Top things to do in Canberra with kids

Day 5: Fyshwick and the Arboretum 

National Arboretum Pod Playground, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra

Head into the outer-suburb of Fyshwick this morning for breakfast at artisanal bakery Wildflour , which has a kids’ menu and a playground. While in town, beer lovers should check out Capital Brewing Co. , a kid-friendly small-batch brewery with a cubby house and games to entertain while you sample the brews.

Before hitting the road, be sure to pay a visit to the National Arboretum , a 15-minute drive from the city centre. Home to 94 forests of unique trees from around the world, pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the ground or grab a bite at Sprout Café and enjoy watching the kids climb, slide and explore the cubbies and pods of the unique Pod Playground. It’s a great way to release energy before the trip home.

For inspiration and more things to do in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, go to  visitcanberra.com  and visitnsw.com .

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Best Things to do in Canberra with Kids

In this guide, we cover all the best things to do in Canberra with Kids , as well as tips on the best Canberra family accommodation and how best to get around.

Canberra is such a brilliant place to take the kids for a family holiday.  While some might think this capital city of Australia is just about boring politics, the truth is it’s absolutely jammed packed full of great attractions for families.  Kids activities Canberra has includes loads of awesome free museums, super fun kid friendly attractions and great outdoor family activities.  The truth is, you’ll probably struggle to fit it all in with just one trip.

If you’re wondering what to do in Canberra with kids , then reading this guide is a great place to start.  We cover all the top family activities Canberra has as well everything you need to know about the top Canberra attractions for families . You’ll also find suggestions on where to stay in Canberra with kids and how best to get around while you’re there.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer here for more information.

Talk to other families about their tips on visiting Canberra with kids and join our Thrifty Family Travel Facebook Group.

Page Contents

• 1 Best Things to do in Canberra with Kids Map
• 2.1 Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre
• 2.2 National Zoo and Aquarium
• 2.3 Sleep with the Animals at Jamala Wildlife Lodge
• 2.4 National Arboretum 
• 2.5 The National Dinosaur Museum
• 2.6 Canberra Reptile Zoo
• 2.7 Cockington Green Gardens
• 2.8 Canberra Walk in Aviary
• 2.9 National Museum of Australia
• 2.10 NFSA Screensound Australia
• 2.11 Royal Australian Mint
• 2.12 National Portrait Gallery
• 2.13 Old Parliament House: Museum of Australian Democracy
• 2.14 Parliament House
• 2.15 National Gallery of Australia
• 2.16 National Library of Australia
• 2.17 Lake Burley Griffin
• 2.18 Yarralumla Play Station at Weston Park
• 2.19 Australian War Memorial
• 2.20 CSIRO Discovery Centre
• 2.21 Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
• 2.22 Australian Institute of Sport
• 2.23 Telstra Tower
• 2.24 Canberra Glassworks
• 2.25 Australian National Botanic Gardens
• 2.26 Corin Forest
• 2.27 Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
• 3.1 The Village Hostels Canberra
• 3.2 Breakfree Capital Tower Apartments
• 3.3 Jamala Wildlife Lodge
• 4.1 Canberra Airport to the City
• 4.2 Getting Around Canberra 

Best Things to do in Canberra with Kids Map

Before we get into the details of all the fun things to do in Canberra for kids , check out the map below, which shows you where all the different attractions are.  Zoom in and out for a better view.  This will help you better plan your itinerary as you can easily see what attractions are close to each other.

Best Things to do in Canberra for Kids

Below in this things to do with kids Canberra section, I’ve provided lots of information to make your planning easier, including locations, opening hours and ticket prices.  

Please note that all prices mentioned were correct at the time of writing and may fluctuate depending upon changes to currency conversion and rate increases.  To check the rate in your local currency, click here.

Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre

Image Credit: Thanks to Visit Canberra

One of the most popular things to do with kids Canberra offers is Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre.  This is an excellent museum that, across four levels, has over 200 interactive exhibits designed to get excited about all things science.

There are many awesome things on display here where kids can get super hands one and even be part of science experiments. For example, kids can experience what it’s like to be in an earthquake, walk across a replica of the moon, freefall six metres down the vertical slide and even see what it’s like being close to a lightning bolt.  

There is a section designed especially for the little ones in the Mini Q.  This area for 0-6 year olds has a water play station, a child sized bakery and shop, and a spaceship they can play in.  This is perfect for those looking for things to do with toddlers in Canberra .

A great place for the little scientists is the Science Sprouts workshops.  These one hour sessions are designed for kids aged 3 to 6 and run twice each morning, Wednesdays through to Saturday.  In these sessions, kids can watch live shows, role play and participate in hands on science experiments.  These sessions have an additional cost to the general admission fee, with tickets being $11.25 per child and per adult.

Pretty much every child that visits Questacon loves it – it really is one of the super fun things for kids to do in Canberra. It does get super busy though, so try and avoid peak times.

Location : King Edward Terrace, Parkes

Opening Hours : Daily from 9 am to 5 pm

Price : Adults $24.50 | Kids (4-16) $18.90 | Family $73.40 (2A+3C) – Tickets are for 2 hour timed sessions, with the first session at 9 am and the last being at 3 pm.

National Zoo and Aquarium

The National Zoo and Aquarium is a privately owned zoo sprawled across 19 hectares and a visit here is one of the fun things to do in Canberra for families.   Here you’ll find a range of native and exotic animals, including lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, monkeys, penguins and more, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia.  

For kids aged between 2 to 12, the Adventureland Playground is the perfect place for the little ones to use up some of that energy.  There are 55 activities for the kids within this area, including cubby houses, rock climbing, slides, swings, net climbers, and more!

As well as strolling around and admiring the various animals that call the park home, families can get up close and personal with certain animals through the park’s animal encounters (which are an additional cost).  Encounters include feeding tigers, lions, bears and more.  You can also be a zookeeper for the day and get some hands on experience behind the scenes.

The National Zoo and Aquarium also has a lovely picnic area complete with BBQ facilities, so it’s a lovely place for families to enjoy lunch.  A cafe is also on site too.

The National Zoo and Aquarium are not overly big – but this is part of the attraction.  For families with younger kids or those short on time, it’s easy to see most animals within a day and there is no huge walks between the different animals.  We found it a great zoo to visit and enjoyed our time here.

Location : 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla 

Opening Hours : Daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm

Price : Adults $55 | Kids (3-17) $32 | Family $152 (2A+3C)

Sleep with the Animals at Jamala Wildlife Lodge

If a day visit to the zoo wasn’t enough, then why not spend the night and safely sleep with some of the animals right outside your window.  Families can choose to have rooms with views of the sun bears, tigers or lions or do what we did and sleep in a treehouse with giraffes right outside your balcony! 

This is a fantastic all inclusive experience with your stay including all meals and a private tour of the zoo.  For dinner, you’re treated to an African style dinner where the kids eat first and then when the parents are enjoying their meals (complete with unlimited wine!), the kids are whisked away for a private guided tour of the aquarium.

One of our favourite parts of the whole experience was the private guided tour of the zoo.  Our tour guide Jake took us around the zoo and told us lots of information about the different animals.  We also got to feed a few of them, including deer, llamas, antelope and the highlight being the giraffes!  We even got to pat a rhino!

Of course, relaxing around our gorgeous tree house was pretty cool too – especially with Skye the giraffe, right outside the window.  It’s important to note though, that the animals aren’t chained (thank god!) to your window or anything and they are free to come and go as they please.  So Skye wasn’t always outside when we wanted her to be – but I wouldn’t have it any other way – it was great to know that she only came and visited us when she felt like it.

While kids are more than welcome at Jamala, it’s important to note that different rooms have different age restrictions.  Plus, if kids are under 6, they can only come on the designated family nights, which are held once a month – they’ll have more fun on these nights anyway as there will be plenty of other kids around.

A night at Jamala is certainly no cheap experience. Rather, it’s one of those once and a lifetime special splurge moments where your family will enjoy an experience they will never forget. Certainly one of the more memorable Canberra things to do with kids.

Read our full review on staying at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge here and see our YouTube video here showing all the highlights from our stay.

Opening Hours : Check in is 1 pm and check out at 11 am the next day. However, you’re welcome to spend more time at the zoo outside these hours.

Price : Varies depending on room choice – click here for more details.

National Arboretum 

A short drive from Jamala, you’ll find the National Arboretum, a 250 hectare parkland created after the bushfires that burned the area in 2001 and 2003.  The huge parkland is home to forests and gardens, including many rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world.  

The area is a lovely recreation area with over 20km of tracks used for walking, running and cycling.  Tracks range from a short 600 metres loop to a long 7.2 km return track.  There are tracks for all levels of fitness – you can see a map here .

One of the most popular places for families is the Magical Pod.  The Pod has giant acorn cubbies, nest swings, music making instruments and banksia pods that encourage children to climb, explore and most importantly, just have fun.

Around the parkland are also a range of interesting artworks to look at and grab some photos of the family posing with them.

The National Arboretum also has a cafe and restaurant on site, as well as various picnic areas.

Location : Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley.

Opening Hours : Daily from 7 am to 5.30 pm

Price : Entry to the park is free

The National Dinosaur Museum

Another one of the super fun Canberra attractions for kids is the National Dinosaur Museum – particularly if you’ve got little ones and after things to do in Canberra with toddlers.  The kids will absolutely love seeing all the dinosaurs on display here – with 23 complete dinosaur skeletons, robotic dinosaurs as well as hundreds of other prehistoric items on display; it’s Australia’s largest collection of dinosaurs and prehistoric animals.

Outside in the garden, you’ll find a range of gigantic dinosaurs, including Stan the T-rex.  At  20 metres long, 6 metres tall and 8 metres long, Stan is the museum’s biggest dinosaur.  A few other fun things to do here include standing in the jaws of a megalodon, touching a real 150kg meteorite from Argentina, see the real diplodocus vertebrate section, touch real life dinosaurs fossils and loads more.

If you happen to be visiting during school holidays, the museum also holds a range of other special events such as guided night tours on Friday evenings. Also, be sure to pick up an activity sheet on arrival so that the kids can make the most of your visit.

If you visit on weekends or ACT school holidays, there are free guided tours as well at 11 am, 12 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm.

Location : 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

Price : Adults $20 | Kids (4-16) $12 | Family $55 (2A+2C) –  Tickets are for 1 hour timed sessions inside the museum and unlimited access outside, with the first session being at 10 am and the last being at 4 pm

Canberra Reptile Zoo

When it comes to things to do in Canberra for kids – what child doesn’t love the chance to check out some reptiles! If that sounds like your kids, then a visit to the Canberra Reptile Zoo is an absolute must!  With over 50 different species on display, here you’ll see all kinds of reptiles, including frogs, bearded dragons, snakes, turtles, geckos and more!

There are a few special exhibits here, such as the ‘Reptiles in Space and Time’, where the kids will learn the history and evolution of Australia’s coolest reptiles through fossil records. Kids can even have a close-up encounter with snakes through the ‘Snakes Tales’ demonstration – where kids can even hold a friendly python! 

Location : Gold Creek Village, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls 

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 am to 5 pm.

Price : Adults $20 | Child (4-12) $12 | Family (2A, 2C) $55.

Cockington Green Gardens

If you’re looking for things to do in Canberra with children who love dolls and trains, then a visit to Cockington Green Gardens is a must!  Cockington Green Gardens displays meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from more than 30 different countries! 

Many exhibits are on display, such as a 34-room Georgian-style dollhouse, even a doll’s house that replicates the house in the classic novel ‘The Seven Little Australians’. There are also miniature cricket grounds for aspiring sports players, fairy-tale castles for the beautiful princesses and replicas of architecture for the ‘culture vultures’. 

Families can explore this fascinating display via foot or take a ride on a mini steam train that travels around the village. 

If you’re visiting around lunchtime, there is also a Garden Cafe on site, as well as a picnic area with free barbeques and tables.  There is also a playground area where your kids can run around freely.  

Location : 11 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls

Price : Adults $25 | Child (4-16) $15.50 | Family (5) $75 | Extra Child $7.

Canberra Walk in Aviary

At 1000 square metres, the Canberra Walk-in Aviary is huge! The aviary is home to almost 600 birds from 58 different species.  Visitors here can simply walk in and enjoy watching the birds as they fly freely all around you.  

Your entry fee includes a small plate of bird food, so you might even be lucky enough to have a few friendly birds sit in your hand while feeding them.

Location : Federation Square, Gold Creek Village, 18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls 

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 am to 4 pm during the winter months and 5 pm during the summer months.

Price : Adults $17| Child (4-16) $12 | Family $52.50 + Extra Child $6

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is another one of the great places to visit in Canberra for kids, where kids will learn about Australia’s history through various displays and activities.

The National Museum of Australia has a focus on the land, national and people of Australia.  One of the more popular exhibits includes the display covering some 50,000 years of indigenous heritage since the 1788 settlement.  In fact, the museum holds the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal bark paintings and stone tools.  

The museum also covers key moments of Australian history, such as the Federation and events like the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Phar Lap, one of Australia’s great racehorses.   For the kids, the highlight of the National Museum of Australia is visiting KSpace and building a time travelling robot via a touchscreen. 

The museum also holds a range of tours and talks each day – some are even free.  Depending on your family’s interests, there is sure to be the perfect tour.  For families with young children, they have some self guided family tours designed to encourage the kids to explore the various exhibits and outdoor spaces – grab a map for $2 at the information desk).

While the National Museum of Australia probably isn’t one of the things to do in Canberra for toddlers, for families with curious school aged children or for older children, a visit to the National Museum of Australia is something the entire family can enjoy.

Location : Lawson Cres, Acton

Opening Hours : Daily 9 am to 5 pm

Price : Free, but a donation is encouraged – some exhibits such as KSpace ($20) have a cost and require a booking, as do museum tours. 

NFSA Screensound Australia

If learning about the history of filmmaking and the sounds of Australia interests your family, then a visit to NFSA is one of the must family things to do in Canberra. The NFSA is a ‘living’ archive with over 3 million items relating to film, TV, music and more. At NFSA, you’ll find films, television and radio programs, videos, audiotapes, compact discs, phonograph cylinders and wire recordings that have been preserved for future generations. 

Items on display date back to the late nineteenth century, right through to the present day.  This makes it a fun experience showing the kids some of the TV programs you once watched when you were a child. As well, it’s a great place to explore the various facets of Australia’s people, culture, ideas and beliefs across various periods in time.

If you have an hour or so, the NFSA is one of those places to go in Canberra for kids that the entire family will enjoy.

Location : McCoy Circuit, Acton 

Opening Hours : Daily 10 am to 4 pm.

Price : Free, although special exhibits may have an entry fee. 

Royal Australian Mint

Another must when it comes to things to do in Canberra with family is visiting the Royal Australian Mint.  Here you’ll see the actual place where Australia’s currency is made as well as a load of other exhibitions.

On entry, be sure to pick up the ‘My Visit to the Mint’ activity book, available from the front desk.  This book has a range of activities to really get the kids engaged. Families can also participate in free family tours and public talks, which children will enjoy. 

A highlight of the trip for many is minting your very own $1 coin. Also, the kids will no doubt love seeing real life robots in action. Finally, the whole family can watch robots hard at work in the mint from the observation work.

This is a really interesting place to take the kids and see where money is made – it’s also one of the awesome free things to do in Canberra with kids too.

Location : Denison St, Deakin 

Opening Hours : Weekdays: 10 am to 4 pm | Weekends and public holidays: 12 pm to 4 pm.

Price : Entry is free – although it’s $3 to mint your own coin.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is an art gallery with a bit of difference in that it is a collection of over 3000 portraits of prominent Australians who have shaped our country.  The portraits have been done with all kinds of mediums, including photography, painting, drawing and more and include a range of famous Australians, including athletes, entertainers, politicians and others from various areas of society.

Wandering the halls of the Gallery is an interesting way to spend time with the kids, letting them find some of their Aussie heroes lining the walls.  It’s also a great way for families to discuss Australia’s history and various events that have led to the great nation it is today.

From time to time, the Gallery also has a range of special workshops for kids, like arts and crafts and storytime.  So be sure to see what’s on during your visit to Canberra.

Price : Free – bookings essential

Old Parliament House: Museum of Australian Democracy

In terms of things to do in Canberra kids, one of the more interesting museums they will love is Old Parliament House – the Museum of Australian Democracy.  Within the gorgeous National heritage listed building (home to federal parliament from 1927 to 1988) are a range of super fun activities for kids and exhibitions, tours and events where families can learn about our Australian social and political history.

The best area for young kids is the “Play Up” area, where kids can dress up, read and enjoy puzzles and crafts. It’s a great experience for children to learn how different life would be without their bedroom, favourite food or a warm jacket, in an engaging environment. 

The whole family will undoubtedly enjoy the “Behind The Lines” exhibition downstairs – the exhibit looks at the year 2020 via 104 political cartoons.  In this area, you’ll also find the Whoosh Machine, where the kids can pop in their ball and watch it travel through a bunch of tubes, the Family Trail and a drawing activity.  They’ll also probably enjoy the Zine lounge where they can design and print their very own magazine. Another fun area is the “Yours Faithfully” exhibit which encourages visitors to engage in the lost art form of letter writing by using tools such as old typewriters. 

Families may also enjoy joining one of the various free tours the museum hosts throughout the day. For example, there is a building history tour where you’ll get an in depth understanding of the changes made to the building over the years or a Meet the Press Tour where you’ll learn more about how the journalists worked in the Old Parliament Building.

If you want fun things for kids in Canberra that will keep them engaged for a few hours while also satisfying your curiosity, definitely add a visit to – Museum of Australian Democracy to your list.  It’s also one of the good indoor activities for kids Canberra has.  Oh, and did we mention it’s one of the free things to do in Canberra with kids ?

Location : 18 King George Terrace, Parkes

Opening Hours : Daily from 9 am – 5 pm

Price : General admission free

Parliament House

A visit to Parliament House is a must for families interested in politics while visiting Canberra with kids .  This is particularly a great place to visit for primary school aged children who would have started to learn about Australian politics.

Of course, Parliament House is the current home to the Australian Parliament, which symbolises Australia’s democracy. However, it is also a place where decisions that shape the nation are made, a site for celebration, memorial and sometimes protests. 

Families can wander around the great halls of parliament house, admire the grand marble foyer or reflect on Australia’s ancient beginnings while standing outside in the forecourt.   There are also 23 hectares of gardens to explore, including native gardens, formal gardens, RSL Fountain and the armillary sphere sundial.

Probably the best way to explore Parliament House is by taking their free guided tour.  These tours go for 90 minutes and are led by trained guides who share their knowledge about the various parliamentary buildings.

Location : Parliament Dr, Canberra

Opening Hours : Friday to Monday 9 am – 5 pm and Tuesday to Thursday 8.30 am to 5 pm

Price : Free but bookings essential.

National Gallery of Australia

If you have any creative, arty type members of the family, then you make like to visit the National Gallery of Australia, one of the largest art museums in Australia.   Across three floors and there are various works of art on display, including a sculpture garden.

In addition to the permanent and special exhibits on display, the Gallery regularly holds various events such as tours and workshops, including some, especially for children.  There are even some designed for teenagers.  So be sure to check what’s on during your visit.

Location : Parkes Place East, Parkes 

Opening Hours : Daily from 10 am to 5 pm 

Price : General Admission Free, bookings recommended.

National Library of Australia

Ok, so a library may not sound like that much fun for kids – but don’t immediately dismiss it – particularly for families with little ones, as libraries are often full of great activities for kids.

The National Library of Australia overlooks picturesque Lake Burley Griffin and is the largest reference library in Australia with over 10 million items and counting!   In addition, it also often shows special exhibitions – so check to see what’s on during your visit to see if there is anything of interest for your kids.

You can also join a library tour, where you get an interesting behind the scenes look into what goes on in one of Australia’s largest libraries!

Location : Parkes Place West, Canberra

Opening Hours : Monday to Thursday 8 am to 8 pm | Friday 8 am to 5 pm | Weekends and Public Holidays 9 am to 5 pm

Price : Free

Lake Burley Griffin

Canberra hugs the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and is considered the centrepiece of Canberra. Its shores are home to several attractions, many of which have already been mentioned in this guide.  However, Lake Burley Griffin can be a great place for families to visit, offering various outdoor activities.  

For the families that want to get out on the lake, then there’s kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding or a range of other water sports.  A more relaxing option is to take a leisurely cruise, catch a ferry or even be your own skipper and explore the lake on a Go Boat.  There are even areas for swimming (Yarralumla Beach, Weston Park East and Black Mountain Beach).

A popular activity for families is to ride their bikes along the 40km shoreline or go for a walk.  The parklands around the lake are also perfect for a family picnic or grab something to eat from one of the lakes many cafes.

Location : Centre of Canberra

Opening Hours : Always

Price : Free to visit the Lake.

Yarralumla Play Station at Weston Park

Yarralumla Play Station is a family friendly adventure hub guaranteed to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours. It is home to one of Australia’s largest mini golf courses, features a miniature railway, farm and family friendly cafe. 

Let’s start with the mini golf course.  There are 36 holes across two courses which are sprinkled with some of Canberra’s most representative landmarks. Here you’ll see a 25-metre wide replica of Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle, amongst others – how many will your kids be able to recognise?.

The kids will love riding the miniature railway that coasts in a figure-eight around the park.  And don’t forget the little farm, which consists of ponies, lamb, chickens, sheep, alpacas and even more that roam around their enclosures freely.

At the Play Station, there is a cafe on site that sells some great kid friendly food and there are plenty of picnic tables under trees for families to relax.

Yarralumla Play Station is one of those places that the whole family will enjoy – definitely one of the great things to do for kids Canberra offers.

Location : 9 Pescott Lm, Yarralumla. 

Opening Hours : Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 4 pm | Weekends from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm

Price : Farm $16 per adult and $14 per child | Train $7 per adult & kids (under 12mos FREE) | Mini Golf from $20 per adult and $17 per child for 18 holes

Australian War Memorial

When you’re thinking of things to do for kids in Canberra , a visit to the Australian War Memorial may not be the first thing that springs to mind, however for school aged children; it is a great opportunity to increase your children’s knowledge about Australia’s involvement in various wars.  It is a sobering museum where both adults and children learn about the history of war, remember those who have lost their lives, and explore the magnificent buildings, statues, and exhibits. 

There is a lot to see at the Australian War Memorial, and what your family will be interested in will depend on the age of your kids and any connection you may have with people who have served in the military.  Here is a quick overview of the different exhibits at the time of publication:   

• First World War Gallery : Covers Australia’s involvement in WWI, including Gallipoli, Sinai and Palestine.
• Second World War Gallery : Covers Australia’s involvement in WWII, including against Germany, Italy and Japan.
• The Hall of Valour : Honours the Australias who have received the Victoria Cross and the George Cross – the highest awards for bravery.
• The Holocaust: Witnesses and Survivors : Features stories from Holocaust survivors who made new lives for themselves post war in Australia.
• Conflicts 1945 to Today : This exhibit uses cutting edge technology with large iconic objects to tell stories about Australia’s involvement in conflict over six decades. Includes conflicts in Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam and more.
• Afghanistan: The Australian Story : Covers Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan.
• The Memorial : Features several areas remembering those who have lost their lives during war, including the Roll of Honour, Hall of Memory and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

In addition to the various displays and exhibits, the Australian War Memorial is particularly interesting for those who may have had a relative serve in the military.  Extensive records are kept at the Memorial, including official records, photographs, diaries and letters.  You can search either a person, a unit or an event.

If you’re visiting the memorial before closing time, it’s recommended that you stay for the Last Post ceremony.  The ceremony commences at 4.45 pm and starts with the Australian national anthem, followed by the piper’s lament.  Visitors often lay wreaths during the ceremony, which ends with the sounding of the Last Post.

The Australian War Memorial also has a cafe on site.

Location : Treloar Cres, Campbell

Opening Hours : Daily 10 am – 4 pm 

Price : Free Entry.

CSIRO Discovery Centre

From plastic banknotes to WiFi, CSIRO innovations have improved people’s lives in Australia for more than 100 years.  To see some of these innovations, take the family to the CSIRO Discovery Centre, which includes an interactive display of world-leading research.

At the Discovery Centre, there is a range of separate exhibits and workshops, which have all been designed for children of certain age groups.  Kids are encouraged to get hands on and involved in various activities to discover how CSIRO’s innovations in science, technology, engineering and maths have influenced their lives.

While many of these sorts of hands on centres are usually designed for young children, at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, the emphasis is on older kids, particularly high school children.  You’ve got the Collections Forensics, where kids work together to try and solve a crime, as well as the DNA to the Max, where kids will take a closer look at food DNA.

So if you’re getting stuck on fun things to do in Canberra for teenagers who perhaps aren’t all that interested in politics – then perhaps the CSIRO Discovery Centre is just what you’ve been looking for.

Location : N Science Rd, Acton

Opening Hours : Weekdays 9 am to 4:30 pm. Weekends Closed. At the time of publishing only open during school holidays.

Price : $10 per person – Bookings Essential

Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

If your kids are interested in space exploration, then one of the things for kids to do Canberra has for your itinerary is a visit to the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex.  The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex gives you a chance to learn more about Australia’s role in space exploration. 

At the complex, there is a range of exhibits and displays – see a piece of the moon which is over 3.8 billion years old, see the latest images from our Solar System, discover what food astronauts eat, see actual items previously used in space, watch a movie on the history and future of space exploration and more!  You can even see fantastic views of the largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere.

There is also a cafe on site and a playground for the younger kids and various picnic areas for lunch.

Location : Paddy’s River, Tidbinbilla, 421 Discovery Dr, Paddys River

Opening Hours : Time of publication, temporarily closed but plan to re-open later in 2024 as per their website

Australian Institute of Sport

For the sporty family, one of the fun kids’ things to do in Canberra is visiting the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).  The AIS is a high performance sports training institute where some of Australia’s top athlete’s train.  Families can visit the institute and get a behind the scenes look during a 90 minute guided tour.

During the tour, guests will visit Sportex, an interactive sports exhibit with some great Australian sporting memorabilia. Visitors can also have a go at wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing, rock climbing, performance rowing, football and more.

Location : Leverrier St, Bruce

Opening Hours : Weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm | Weekends from 9.30 am to 4 pm | Tour times: 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm with 90mins duration

Price: $21 per adult | $13.50 per child (5-17) | $60 for Family (2A+3C) 

Telstra Tower

Rising some 195 metres above Black Mountain, the Telstra Tower is visible from most locations around Canberra.  The Tower offers spectacular indoor and outdoor 360 degree views across the city from its two open observation decks or enclosed viewing gallery.

The Tower is also home to Canberra’s highest cafe, which is located on the Ground Level and Canberra’s most elevated operating post box, which is emptied daily. 

So for the very best views across Canberra, take the kids up to the top of the Telstra Tower.

Location : 100 Black Mountain Dr, Acton.

Opening Hours : Daily from 9 am to 10 pm – The tower was temporarily closed at the time of publication.

Price : Adults $7.50 | Children $3 Under 4 – Free | Family (2A, 2C) $17.

Canberra Glassworks

Have you ever seen glass artists at work?  It’s pretty fascinating seeing them so effortlessly creating their masterpieces.  If your kids are into different art mediums, visiting the Canberra Glassworks may be another cool place to take them.

Canberra Glassworks is a leading centre for contemporary glass art, craft and design and from time to time opens to the public so you can see the artists at work.  Even better, though, if you can, is signing the kids up to make their own masterpiece.  Kids just need to be 8+ and then can design and create their very own glass time.  These programs for kids are offered during school holidays.

Tours go for 45 minutes and workshops also go for 45 minutes.

Location : 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston

Opening Hours : Tours and workshops run from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 am to 4 pm 

Price : Tours $30 per person | Workshop $30 per person | Tour & Workshop $60 per person

Australian National Botanic Gardens

Australia’s National Botanic Garden is just minutes from the CBD and can be a great family day out for those who enjoy the outdoors.  Across 35 hectares, the garden has many paths where families can look for rare, even endangered plant species and spot the colourful birds flying around. 

Families are recommended to take the Children’s Discovery Trail – Who Did That? walk.  This walk is just 330 metres and, via activity stations, helps kids understand the importance of plants for our Australian animals.  Grab an activity book from the Visitor Centre.

The Paperbark Treehouse is a real highlight for kids visiting the gardens.  From the top of this three-storey treehouse are great canopy views of the surrounding forest. There is wheelchair access via ramp to the first platform and then a ladder which will take you up to the crow’s nest at the top of the structure. 

Other places within the gardens the kids may enjoy include the Red Centre, Rainforest Gully and the Eucalypt Lawn.  

As well as the beautiful gardens, there is often special events, such as free or cheap guided walks.  These change occasionally, but there is usually something designed for families, such as guided walks through the Rainforest Gully or a ride through the gardens onboard the magical Flora Explorer Bus. One hour free tours of the gardens depart daily at 11 am.

The gardens are also the perfect place for a picnic lunch, or you can buy lunch at the on site Pollen Cafe.  From the gardens, you could also walk to the Telstra Tower, which is 5.4km return.

Location : Clunies Ross Street, Acton.

Opening Hours : Daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm

Corin Forest

Wondering what to do in Canberra for kids away from the city?  Then definitely consider a day trip to Corin Forest. Located in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges, approximately 45 minutes from the heart of Canberra, Corin Forest is a year-round alpine experience. Canberra’s only winter snow recreation area is a must for families who don’t see snow much and don’t have much experience out on the slopes. 

At Corin Forest, there are a variety of activities waiting to be experienced, including:

• Snow Play : Kids can build snowmen and have awesome snowball fights with the family – $25 per person for a 2 hour session. 
• Toboggan : Hire a toboggan to use during your snow play – $5 per session.
• Alpine Slide : Descending 1.2km through the majestic mountain ash forest – $28 per person for one hour.
• Snowsports School : For kids aged 4+, they can take a ski lesson, there are adult lessons too.  Price starts at $145 and includes skis, jackets, pants and helmets. 
• Ski and Ride : Ski down the beautiful mountain – $55 per person or $110 (kids) & $130 (adults) for skiing, skis and boots. Prices are for a 3 hour session.

After having a splendid time on the mountain, warm up with the cafe’s selection of gourmet burgers and woodfired pizzas, plus an open fire for toasting marshmallows!  There is also a great picnic area with plenty of tables.  You can bring your own portable BBQ or hire one on site for $5 per half hour.

During the summertime in the Corin Forest, the retreat is much quieter, but you can still come and enjoy the Alpine Slide. In addition, there are a few other attractions in the area that you might like to visit, including Square Rock, Gibraltar Falls and Tidbinbilla.

So no matter how old your kids are, if you’re looking for things to do in Canberra for toddlers , things to do in Canberra with teenagers or any age in between – a day out at Corin Forest should definitely be on our list – particularly if you don’t get to see snow very often.

Location : 1268 Corin Dam R d, Tidbinbilla Range

Opening Hours : Daily from 8 am to 5 pm

Price : It’s free to visit, but prices vary depending on activities and rentals. 

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

Across 54.5 hectares, the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve sits on the edge of the Namadgi National Park and is home to plenty of wildlife.  While visiting the Reserve, you may see koalas, kangaroos, birds, reptiles and more.  Some visitors have even spotted the odd platypus here!

Across the Reserve are over 20 marked walking trails that range from an easy 15-minute stroll to an all-day bushwalk. In addition, families can bring bikes and cycle the reserve on the sealed road and fire trails or simply sit back and relax with wildlife.

A popular area within the reserve for families is The Sanctuary.  The Sanctuary is a large wetlands area that is surrounded by bushland.  A fence protects it, so it is a great haven for native animals – making it the perfect place to spot wildlife.  Within the Sanctuary, you’ll also see the Vet Centre – which has floor to ceiling windows so visitors can peek in and see vets doing their health checks on the local wildlife.

The Eucalypt Forest is also a great place to take the kids.  Located on the forest floor, this area of 17 hectares is also surrounded by a fence offering protection for the animals.  It’s the ideal place to see free ranging koalas.

Of course, a visit to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve isn’t complete without taking the kids to the Nature Discovery Playground.  The playground features a flying fox, slide, swing, climbing rope frames, bouncy toys and more.  It’s usually a good spot for seeing kangaroos too.

There aren’t any cafes at Tidbinbilla, so bring a picnic for the family to enjoy.

Location : Paddys River Rd, Paddys River.

Opening Hours : Daily from 7.30 am to 6 pm (April to October) and 8 pm for the remainder of the year.  Visitor Centre all year from 9 am to 5 pm.

Price : $14 per vehicle

Best Canberra Family Accommodation

There is a great range of family accommodation in Canberra and below, I’ve listed three great options for all kinds of budgets. 

For even more options on where to stay in Canberra with the kids, click here for our guide on the best family accommodation Canberra has to offer.  This guide covers ten recommendations in great locations, which will accommodate the entire family.

The Village Hostels Canberra

Yes, the The Village Hostels Canberra is a backpackers, but they also have fantastic accommodation for families at a super low price.  Located just on the edge of the city centre, the The Village Hostels is ideal for those after budget family accommodation Canberra has.  

The Village Hostels has everything you need within walking distance.  Just 230 metres away you’ve got the Canberra centre which is a large shopping centre full of clothing shops and food places like McDonald’s, Sushi,  Oporto and loads of coffee shops. Within the Canberra Centre, you’ll also find supermarkets such as Coles and Aldi, where you can pick up supplies for the kids. The The Village Hostels also has a bus stop just a few hundred metres away, making it super easy for families to visit attractions by public transport.

The Village Hostels family rooms are ideal, given they’re can accommodate two adults and up to three kids.  Each family room has a queen bed, a bunk bed and a trundle bed. Parents will also love how the kid’s beds are set back behind a little nook, offering a little privacy for the parents – great for putting little ones to bed early.  The rooms also have a private bathroom, air conditioning, TV, wifi and tea and coffee making facilities. 

Being a backpackers, you’ve also got access to a range of shared facilities, including a rooftop BBQ area, shared kitchen and a games room. 

If you’re looking for Canberra budget family accommodation in the centre of town, surrounded by everything you need during your trip – definitely consider The Village Hostels – it’s a great place to stay with the kids.

Click here to check availability and for pricing.

Breakfree Capital Tower Apartments

The Breakfree Capital Tower Apartments is located in a quieter part of town on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin.  While there aren’t too many shops or places to eat close by, having a spacious apartment, you’ll be able to prepare all your own meals for the kids.  Although you’re really only a short 15 minute walk to the centre of town.

Depending on the size of your family, you’ve got the option of two and three bedroom apartments here.  Two bedroom apartments can accommodate families of up to five and the three bedroom apartments can accommodate families of up to seven people.  While master bedrooms come with a queen bed, most additional rooms come with single beds and living rooms tend to have sofa beds.

Apartments are spacious and come with fully equipped kitchens.  They also contain a washing machine, dryer, living area, lounge room and balconies – some with views across Lake Burley Griffin and out to Parliament House.  The complex also has a swimming pool, sauna, bbq area, tennis courts, squash courts, gym and secure parking (costs extra).

With Breakfree Capital Tower Apartments, you’re getting a lot for your money – spacious self contained apartments with great facilities and reasonably easy access to all the attractions in Canberra – what more do you need.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge

If you want something extra special for your family, a real splurge, a once in a lifetime experience – then you’ve got to consider the Jamala Wildlife Lodge.   The Lodge is a 10 minute drive outside of the city centre, and probably not the place you’d stay for Canberra sightseeing – but a stay at Jamala is an experience in itself!  Now before you keep reading – let me tell you there is nothing “thrifty” about a stay at this place – rather, this is a once in a lifetime bucket list for your family that the kids will be raving about for years!

The Jamala Wildlife Lodge is an all inclusive luxury hotel located in the middle of the National Zoo and Aquarium. Basically, this hotel has strategically built treehouses and bungalows around the enclosures of certain animals, so your family can safely spend the night sleeping right next to some of the world’s most loved exotic animals.  You can choose to stay near lions, sun bears, giraffes, and other amazing animals that will be literally just outside your room.

No matter which room you choose, each room is just pure luxury!  You’ll have gigantic king beds and pull out sofa beds for the kids, a huge bathroom with shower and bathtub, spacious living areas and, of course fabulous views of your chosen animal.  We stayed in the treehouses which overlooked the giraffe enclosure – it was a real treat waking up to giraffe smiling through our window!  It’s important to note that there are certain age restrictions for each room, but you’re sure to find one that will suit your family.

Now, this isn’t your standard hotel where you’re left to your own devices. Instead, this is an all inclusive experience.  On arrival, you’re welcomed with a scrumptious afternoon tea and in the evening you’ll enjoy an amazing three course dinner in an area of the lodge that looks into the lions and hyena den.  Kids are provided with their own special dinner and even taken for a private tour of the aquarium so that parents can enjoy a little alone time.  Did I mention dinner also comes with fine wines too!

One of our favourites parts of staying here was the private guided tour in the National Zoo and Aquarium.  Jake, our tour guide, shared lots of knowledge with us as we visited certain animals.  We even got to feed deer, llamas, antelope and the highlight – giraffe!  Actually, I think the highlight for me was patting a rhino!  They are soo cute and friendly – who would have thought!

Your stay at Jamala also includes entry into the National Zoo and Aquarium, which you’re free to visit on the day of arrival or the following day.  Given your room is right in the middle of the zoo, you can even stroll around super early in the morning when no one else is around – it’s super cool staying in a zoo – even if just for one night!

Now it’s important to note that the animals are free to wander around their enclosures as they like.  They’re certainly not chained up outside your window or anything (thank god!).  So for us, we were looking out over part of the giraffe enclosure – so if the giraffe chose to go into a different section of the enclosure, we couldn’t see her.  This was the same for the lions and hyenas during meal times – sometimes they can into the den while we were there, sometimes they didn’t. So while it’s disappointing not to see them all the time – I was actually happy about this; the animals really are free to roam as they like. 

As you can see, a stay at Jamala really is an experience in itself and one that I highly recommend for parents wanting to do something super special and memorable with their kids. So why not spend a night here while in Canberra and then move onto one of the other cheaper accommodation options from this guide for your sightseeing.

Getting Around in Canberra

Below we’ve provided some tips on how best to get between the airport and the city and tips on how to get around the city and between various attractions.

Canberra Airport to the City

With the Canberra Airport just a 10 minute drive from the centre of the CBD, it’s super easy to reach the city from the airport. 

For families generally, the easiest way is going to be by taxi or rideshare.  There is a taxi rank just outside the airport or for rideshare; follow the signs from outside the arrival gates – it’s super easy to find.  Expect the fare to be around $30 to the centre of town.

If you’re travelling alone and trying to save on costs, then a shuttle bus leaves from the airport terminal to the city.  This is called the Rapid 3 and it operates every 15 minutes during the week and every 30 minutes during the weekend.  Tickets can be purchased from the vending machine on the ground floor in the arrival halls.  Fares are just $5 for an adult or $2.50 for a child – even cheaper if you have the MyWay card – see below.

Getting Around Canberra 

Canberra isn’t overly big and you’ll be able to walk between many attractions.  However, no doubt during your trip you will from time to time need to get transport.

For families, you may find it just as easy and relatively inexpensive to get a taxi or rideshare between places.  However, if there is just yourself travelling or you and one other, then the buses are the way to go.  You can plan your bus trips either by using Google Maps or here .  Also if you do plan on using buses, it’s recommended to download the NXTBUS Service app so you can get real time information about when the next bus is coming.

To use the buses, you will need a MYWay Card which you’ll use to tap on and off whenever you get on the bus.  These can be purchased at various places across Canberra for $5 per adult and $2.50 per child.  If you don’t want to get a MYWAY Card, you can get paper tickets at vending machines, although these are only located at major bus stops (including the airport) and light rail stops. Unfortunately, you can’t buy tickets on the bus.

Fares are pretty simple in that regardless of where you go for adults, they are $3.22 during peak times and $2.55 during off peak time and for kids, they are $1.22 on school days and $1.61 on non school days – kids under 5 travel free.  Tickets from the vending machine are around double the price.

For travel further afield, it will be best to hire a car.  If you want to visit a few places outside of the city centre, I’d recommend hiring a car for a few days and using local transport while exploring the city centre.

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Hopefully you’ve found this guide on visiting Canberra helpful.  If you are bringing the kids to Canberra then I recommend you check out our guide on where to stay with kids here as well as a detailed review on staying at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge here.

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The Best Things To Do In Canberra With Kids

Have you visited Canberra with kids? No??!! It’s time to start planning a trip then!

Our family has hugely enjoyed our visits to Canberra and we highly recommend your family going there too. Here you’ll find our list of the Best Things To Do in Canberra.

PS  The best family accommodation Canberra section was getting too big, so I have moved it into a separate post, click here or on the image below to find our Best Canberra Family Accommodation picks.

Check out this table of content for all the best of Canberra for kids.

Table of Contents

Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre is the king of kids’ activities Canberra.  For budding scientists Questacon’s Q Lab offers an ever-changing array of intriguing experiments, explosive demonstrations and interesting displays. 

Of all the things to do in canberra for kids, Questacon comes out as Number One in every child’s list… other things are more fizzy… but do not miss Questacon!  Just go, ask no more… just get there! The hands on exhibits and the shows in the theatre and the slide where kids experience weightlessness is all fantastic.

The volunteers in purple shirts are so helpful and explain things to the kids. It’s always worth grabbing a volunteer for help and to learn new things. My twins loved becoming human electricity conductors and lighting up bulbs!

The only downside for us was that it got so busy. We had gone very early and really enjoyed the first quieter hour. It did get too crowded, so I’d recommend a couple of trips all done very early, if at all possible.

Location: King Edward Terrace, Canberra

Opening Hours: Open 9.00 am to 5.00 pm

Questacon website here

Cost : Yes adults $23, children $17.50, family tickets and annual passes available.

Cafe : Yes, large cafe inside building

Parking : Large pay car park on site

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is huge  and there is something for every age grouphere.   And there’s so much space to run around outside!  We visited here first and then came back next day for another visit. The twins let off steam after the long road trip by charging around outside  and playing handball – fabulous!  And inside… well, I could visit daily for a week and still have much to see and learn.

The children’s areas are superb, as was the film show in the rotating theatre.  We also LOVED the museum shop, a great place for buying presents. I started stocking up for Christmas.

 There are plenty of hands on activities and play, plus well displayed artifacts and exhibitions. Kspace is an interactive and adventurous game designed especially for school age students.  Kspace takes about 30 minutes and opening times vary. The cafe and museum shop are excellent too. This is one of the very best things in Canberra for kids and a place every member of the family will enjoy.

Location: National Museum Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra

Opening Hours:  Daily 9am – 5pm, closed Christmas Day.  

NMA website is here. 

See the current family activities at the NMA listed here.

Cost : Free

Cafe : Yes large cafe inside building

The Australian War Memorial

My twins absolute highlight from our recent trip to Canberra was the Australian War Memorial.

And it was mine too, a standout amongst the superb things to do in Canberra.   The War Memorial has an atmosphere that is at once solemn and respectful and yet filled with gratitude and warmth and love.

To see the name of of all those servicemen is truly sobering; the two world wars demanded so much sacrifice.

Painful too was to see the names of so many brave men and women who have died very recently.

For the children, the Discovery Zone where they could dress up and become fully immersed in the lives of soldiers, submariners, helicopter pilots and more was the highlight. Talk about bringing history to life.

For myself, I really enjoyed the section of the Discovery Zone which shows the trenches in World War 1.  There so much to see and look at and learn in one fairly small space.

This exhibit really does bring the horror of trench warfare alive. Look out for the trench foot – it will make your stomach lurch!

Top tip for the Australian War Memorial

During ACT school terms, the Discovery Zone is used mainly by school groups and is only open to the public at lunchtime.

Check ahead to make sure the kids will be able to use it. Find ACT school holiday dates here.

Australian War Memorial – The Details

Treloar Crescent Campbell ACT 2612 AUSTRALIA

Open: 10am – 5pm daily except Christmas Day NB: The Memorial’s galleries are progressively closed from 4:40pm for the Last Post Ceremony.

Cost : Admission to the Memorial is free

Website here.

Cafe: Yes, a large cafe is on the site. 8.30am – 4.30pm daily. There are plenty of options for children. The name of the cafe is Poppy’s and it has nothing to do with poppies but rather was the nickname of a soldier killed in Afghanistan – you’ll feel weepy reading his story.. and so we all should.

Parking: Large free car park on site.

Australian Institute of Sport

Many children enjoy a guided tour to the legendary Australian Institute of Sport. This is often rated one of the best things to do with kids in Canberra, especially for primary aged children and teenagers.  Sport-loving adults will love a visit too.

You will view the training facilities and then get some hands-on experience at Sportex where you can try wheelchair basketball, rock climbing and more. Educational exhibits include the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Sports Science and Heroes and Legends.

Using the 3infun Canberra Attraction Pass here, you can save money on entry. You do need to visit on one of the 1.5 hour public tours, but booking are not needed, just turn up.

There’s a shop and a cafe there too so expect to stay a little longer.  You might even want to have a swim at the pool in public opening times, see timetable here.

Location: Leverrier Street, Bruce, Canberra

Tour times: 8:30am to 5:00pm. Public tours depart at 10.00am, 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm and last 90 minutes

Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe – Indoor Playground

Lollipop’s Canberra is the premier indoor playground and play centre. Conveniently located at Majura Park with ample parking. The great facilities at Lollipop’s cater for a range of ages and abilities, with dedicated toddler area and big slides for the more confident kiddos!

Through our partner Boobobutt, you can get 10% off Entry Tickets . And book discount parties! Enjoy maximum fun without hurting the bank. Check out that awesome slide!

See our review for all the details here

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

For families who like to get active, head to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to explore more than 20 marked walking trails, ranging from an easy 15-minute stroll to an all-day bushwalk. Some of the most popular trails allow for glimpses of platypus, possums, wombats, echidnas, emus and many other birds and reptiles.

Location: Tidbinbilla Ring Rd, Paddys River,ACT (access is off Paddy’s River Road, via Cotter Road (Weston Creek)

Opening Hours: Visitor Centre: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Reserve Gates: Winter: 7.30 am – 6 pm, Summer: 7.30 am – 8 pm in summer (AEDT)

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve website here

Cockington Green Gardens

We didn’t expect to love Cockington Green Gardens as much as we did. It was a joyful surprise!  Cockington Green  features a model village and miniatures of iconic buildings from around the globe. This is one for the whole family with miniature cricket grounds for the budding sports players, fairy-tale castles for the Princesses in training and fascinating replicas of international architecture for the ‘culture vultures’.

If you are visiting with preschoolers or young primary schoolers then this may prove to be the best of all the things to do in Canberra with kids. 

Location: 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls ACT 2913

Opening Hours: Daily – 9.30am – Last entry time 4.15pm

Cockington Green Gardens website is here.

There are so many sweet things to explore, and actually we all agree that we have learned a lot about history and the countries we read about.

Museum of Democracy

Tackling a serious issue facing children across Australia and giving children the chance to get hands on, Play Up – The Right to Shelter , is a not-to-be missed exhibition and experience at the Museum of Democracy.

Young visitors will get to play out how different life would be without their bedroom, favourite food or a warm jacket, in an engaging environment.

Location: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes, Canberra

Opening Hours: Open daily 9am–5pm

Museum of Democracy website here 

Royal Australian Mint

For future financiers or kids who always shotgun the banker in Monopoly, the interactive model ‘making a mint’ at the Royal Australian Mint offers fun insights into the world of money.

If it’s wet or cold and you are wondering what to do in Canberra with kids, this is a top indoor activity and educational too.

Location: Royal Australian Mint Denison Street, Deakin, Canberra

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30 am to 5 pm , Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 10 am to 4 pm

Royal Australian Mint website here

Yarralumla Play Station at Weston Park

Join the club and take a swing at Canberra’s newest family attraction, Yarralumla Play Station at Weston Park. As well as the 36-hole mini golf course which features Canberra’s ionic attractions in miniature, there is also the Petite Park Petting Zoo and Miniature Railway.

Location: 9 Pescott Lane, Yarralumla ACT

Opening Hours: Wed-Fri: 09:30–15:00 -Sat-Sun: 09:30–17:30

Yarralumla Play Station Website here

Cycle Around Lake Burley Griffin

Cycling around Lake Burley Griffin is a time honoured tradition and no wonder, it’s a pretty flat route with so much to see as you go!

We popped down to Damn Fine Bike Hire at and hired bikes for two hours; $25 for an adult, and $20 for kids.

My daughter isn’t the keenest cyclist but we assure her the route is flat. We cycled over the bridge towards Parliament House then duck down to the left to cycle along the lakeside path near Questacon and then along towards to National Gallery.

Old Bus Depot Markets

For a bout of colour and creativity visit the Old Bus Depot markets on a Sunday and soak up the vibrant atmosphere, stock up on unique handcrafted wares for the whole family, and pick up a snack from one of the artisan food stalls.  Canberra kids love a visit and so do visitors to the city.

Location: 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston ACT 2604

Opening Hours: Every Sunday from 10am – 4pm.

Old Bus Depot website here  

Canberra Glassworks

Get hands on with the whole family at Canberra Glassworks where you can create your own masterpiece in one of the ‘Make your own sessions’. Make your own poppy, medal or cross at the Distant Warriors Workshop, create your own tiles to celebrate the warm months at the Spring Tile Workshop or create a unique butterfly. Don’t forget to stop by the Hotshop or Engine room to watch the experts in action and get some creative inspiration.

Location: 11 Wentworth Ave Kingston ACT 2604

Opening Hours: 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday

Canberra Glassworks website is here  

Red Hill Views

Lace up the walking shoes and take a hike up Red Hill for spectacular views over the city.

Location: Red Hill – 50 Red Hill Drive, Red Hill Lookout ACT 2603

Opening Hours: Red Hill – open daily, Little Brother – Wed & Thu: 9.30am till 5.00pm

Fri: 9:30am till late, Sat: 8.00am till late, Sun: 8.00am to 5pm

Visit Canberra Red Hill Lookout webpage here

The National Arboretum

Pack a picnic and head out to at the Arboretum to enjoy a whole range of fun filled school holiday activities for the family. Kids can make their own bonsai, explore the spring birds, blossoms and buds in the forest on a guided story telling walk, and channel their inner kite runner with a kite making and flying workshop. T here is an amazing playground here.

Location: Forest Drive, off Tuggeranong Parkway, Weston Creek.

Opening Hours: The grounds and Pod Playground are open 6 am to 8:30 pm. Visit the website for more information on school holiday activities and opening hours

The National Arboretum website is here  

Read our post about Canberra’s best parks and playgrounds here, this is a must read if you are looking for things to do in Canberra with toddlers!!

Visit Parliament House

Although we only had a run around at Parliament House, I’ve put it in as a highlight as I’m so thrilled to live in a country with such a handball-friendly Parliament.

Do you think our politicians know that their forecourt is a top spot for handball? Do you reckon they pop out for a game of a lunchtime?

We didn’t actually visit the interior of the Parliament House – we will aim to on our next visit. But we loved the fact we could run up the grassy roof – how many parliaments can boast that!

And what a fabulous view over Canberra at sunset – highly recommended.

Parliament House – The Details

Parliament House website here

Hours : Vary, depending on whether Parliament is sitting – see website.

Cafe : Yes cafes inside the building

Parking : Large pay car park underneath parliament House, can be busy depending on whether Parliament is sitting – see website

PS In wintertime, play in the snow close to Canberra at the delightful Corin Forest, see website here.

So there you go, if you are on the hunt for what to do with kids in Canberra, this list shows you all the best Canberra kids fun.  You can pick and choose what is best for your own family from the list.

And do keep popping back as I will be adding new things for kids to do in Canberra as we try them ourselves.

Kid-Friendly Cafes + Restaurants in Canberra

Here are some ideas of places to eat out with the family:

Guild: Wood-fired Pizza + Board Games

A very kid-friendly restaurant deep in the heart of Canberra. Staff will help you choose and borrow games and then how to play them. The salads, pizzas and pastas on offer are very family-centric.

Address: LG Baileys Corner, 150 London Circuit, Canberra City Centre

Phone: 02 6257 2727

Guild website is here

Snapper on the Lake

This is a family-friendly fish and chip place where you eat right beside the waterline of Lake Burley Griffin

Address: Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club, Marina Place, Yarralumla

Phone: 02 6273 1784

Snapper On The Lake website

Where better to give the kids a special treat than Patissez, the birth place of the ‘freakshake’ movement. The Nutella and Salty Pretzel is a household favourite and best eaten before something active. The menu has a huge variety of breakfast, lunch and snack options including tacos and burgers – the kids’ faves.

Location: Shop 2/21 Bougainville St, Griffith ACT 2603, Australia

Patissez website is here

The Hamlet Food Trucks

Get on the foodie trail at The Hamlet which is an urban village for food vans and pop-up stores. Take your taste buds on an international journey with Peruvian street food, German hotdogs, and an Italian wood fire pizza which you can design yourself.

My twins went straight for the hot dog van, of course. I had a fab pie and we also tested out the pizza store and the milkshakes too.

Location: 16 Lonsdale St, Braddon, ACT

Keep up with what’s happening at The Hamlet on their Facebook page here.

Canberra Top Tips Before You Go

• Pack warm clothes. .. it really is chillier in Canberra. Check the Canberra weather forecast before you go.
• Start early. If you’re visiting in school holidays then you can expect the main attractions, like Questacon and the Australian Museum, to be very busy. Make it easy on yourself by getting there early. You’ll find parking easy and the crowds won’t make your head ring… at least for an hour or two.  Or go late. We loved our dusk visit to Parliament House. The car park underneath was empty and we loved the views over Canberra at sunset.
• Check the ACT term dates.   These may be different from other states, and some kids sections of Canberra’s attractions are used by school groups in school terms. Check ACT term dates here.
• Always take food out with you. Even though my twins are older now, I still need to carry food everywhere we go as they get hungry and very badly behaved… you can’t rely on any tourist attractions to have food or even free tables. On one trip I had hoped to eat a meal at Floriade Nightfest but the queues were miles long and the offerings not great anyway. We ended up eating our snacks there and then having room service when we got back.
• Eat early. I know that my children are easily overwhelmed by lots of sightseeing. To avoid meltdowns and dining disasters, I usually let them have a bit of downtime in the late afternoon (i.e. watch TV) and then make sure we get out to eat before 6pm. This also means that cafes or restaurants are not too busy, so food comes quickly. Plus if there’s childish behaviour (from them not me!) there are less witnesses to my mortification.
• Enjoy the ease of getting around. If you’re from Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll be used to long journeys and difficult parking whenever you visit tourist attractions. So you’ll love the ease of getting around in Canberra and the cheap and easy parking.

What’s On In Canberra Currently

To learn about current Canberra family activities, shows and exhibitions, check out the Visit Canberra Events webpage here.

Events ACT also has a list of current events on, find them here.

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading about all the Canberra highlights!

Very happy to hear your advice too.

Enjoy your travel planning and we will 

Catch you in Canberra !

PS   Don’t forget to click here to read about the best Canberra family accommodation, including deals and specials.

PPS This post contains some affiliate links meaning that, if you book accommodation using the link, a small commission is paid to support Hello Sydney Kids, at no cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Tidbinbilla is brilliant – well worth the drive out of Canberra. Yarralumla Play Station looks awesome, will definitely check it out next time we are down there. Make sure you stop in at Grandma’s Little Bakery on the way down at Collector for a coffee break. Have fun x

I love Questacon! You don’t need to be a kid or a science fanatic (i’m neither) to appreciate it 🙂

Oh good, cos I am neither as well but absolutely loved the last science place we went to. It was in Glasgow and just excellent, so very much looking forward to Questacon.

Thanks for stopping by Let’s Go Mum travel reviews – enjoy Canberra – there’s a heap to do, and as mentioned, the War Memorial is a hidden but great one!

We can’t wait to set off. My twins are 9 and have never been – where did the years go?

We’ll write a post about what we do and what the twins think. We’ve been looking at Bound Round today which has lot of info on Canberra. That’s got the kids revved up. Me too… can’t wait to explore…. and eat!

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Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Ultimo

Things to do in Canberra with kids

By: Author Janeece Keller

Posted on October 12, 2022

The ultimate guide of things to do in Canberra with kids

All Aussie families should seriously consider a trip to Canberra with the kids. Whilst most people think it’s best for families with younger kids (you know, those under 10), we’ve also found plenty of activities and fun things to do in Canberra with pre-teens and teenagers.

Our ultimate guide will help you choose the best experiences for your family.

A bit of background on Canberra for kids

It is believed that the name ‘Canberra’ comes from the Ngunnawal word for ‘meeting place.’ The description is indeed a great one. In Canberra, art, history, sport, food and nature combine to welcome uni students, public servants, families and tourists alike.

Most Aussie kids head to the Australian capital city for a field trip to learn about democracy and the Australian parliament. But for those who are now parents and visited more than 10 years ago, we suggest you forget what you remember of your primary school excursion because Canberra is well on its way to becoming a foodie’s and culture vulture’s seventh heaven.

Did you know Canberra has more restaurants and cafes per capita than any other Aussie city? Or that it is home to a museum of trees?

Swap parliament for parks, playgrounds and cycle paths aplenty as you discover the weekend markets, museum collections, animal encounters and foodie hubs that make the city special. You might even have to take a vote if you want to fit something in for everyone on a family weekend to Canberra.

Getting to/from Canberra

Canberra is 3 hours’ drive from Sydney, and 7 hours from Melbourne, via many a roadside fruit stall. In fact, it makes a great pit stop en route to the snowfields if you are a family of skiers.

If you can, it is worth driving to Canberra, as having a car is handy (as long as you can brave the sometimes-baffling roundabouts). However, without a vehicle of your own, you can make use of the ACTION public bus service as well.

If driving isn’t your thing, you can also fly or catch the train or bus to Canberra.

There are daily domestic flights from Canberra to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. You can also fly direct from Canberra to Perth, Darwin, Adelaide, and Newcastle with connecting flights to Ballina Byron, Port Macquarie, Hobart and the Gold Coast.

Canberra Airport is serviced by Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Rex Airlines, Fly Pelican and Link Airways.

Top 10 things to do in Canberra with kids

Things to do in canberra with….

Go wild alongside the animals at the  National Zoo and Aquarium.  Walk past the tigers, meerkats, snakes and more on a self-guided trip. You can also join a special animal encounter including a big cat encounter or a savannah safari.

For a different wildlife experience, head out to  Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.  This is a lovely way to spend a late afternoon or picnic lunch running around with tiny tots. Spot a platypus in the ponds or wallabies wandering by. Many of the trails are suitable for wheelchairs or Trail Riders. Tidbinbilla is about 45 minutes from central Canberra.

Try on this miniature attraction for size – it will be a perfect fit for your littlies!  Cockington Green Gardens  is located in Nicholls, just outside Canberra. The displays feature tiny versions of international locations and monuments, complete with little figurines. You can also jump aboard a miniature steam train for a ride. You must make a booking in advance.

Canberra hosts some awesome kid-friendly museums, and it doesn’t get more hands-on than  Questacon.  Officially known as the National Science and Technology Centre, the venue is all about experimenting with the weird and wacky up close. Step inside a simulator to experience what an earthquake feels like, then free fall down a 6-metre slide. There is also Mini Q, which is a custom-designed section created for mad scientists aged 6 and under.

Next stop on the museum trail is the  National Dinosaur Museum  at Gold Creek. It houses the largest permanent collection of prehistory in the country, such as a whopping 25 complete skeletons.

The  Australian War Memorial  also has brilliant interactive exhibitions designed for children. Pay your respects by placing a poppy beside the name of a service man or woman, then learn about military history up close by donning khaki and stepping inside a Vietnam War-era helicopter.

In the winter season, leave Canberra for a ski trip out at  Corin Forest.  Canberra locals might also consider a weekend out at the Snowy Mountains snowfields, a short road trip away. One of our Families of Australia tested out Corin Forest; watch their experience below.

Telstra Tower  sticks out 195 metres from Black Mountain. Fully operational, it also offers panoramic views worth the climb. For communications of a different type, visit the  Deep Space Communication Complex.  Little space geeks will love the centre, which is one third of the NASA Deep Space Network.

Read more:  the best 6 moon-science experiences in Canberra

Step into the running shoes of an Olympian at the  Australian Institute of Sport.  Visits are by guided tour, which will take you past the training complexes for the most elite athletes in the country. There is also an interactive centre where you can try your hand at wheelchair basketball and other sports simulators.

Looking for somewhere to stay? For a night you won’t forget, splurge on  Jamala Wildlife Lodge  and sleep among the animals. Eat dinner alongside the giraffes, or hear a tiger snore!

Pigeon-holed as a quiet ‘country town’ capital for many years, Canberra has well and truly woken up with plenty of bars, coffee shops and markets for older families. For starters, try street food or fine dining in café-dense suburbs like Manuka, or window shop in boutique precincts like Braddon.

Open on a Sunday, stop by the  Old Bus Depot Markets  for some vintage clothes, knick knacks, artisanal cheeses or fresh breads. With different stalls each week, this Kingston location is great for wandering. The  Glassworks  next door is a real find. You can watch the experts blow and fashion glass in the workshop.

At time of writing, Old Bus Depot Markets were temporarily closed to adhere to COVID safety measures. Be sure to visit the website before you go!

Artsy teens shouldn’t stop at the  National Gallery , although its collections are nothing to scoff at. Continue on next door to the  Portrait Gallery  to walk among the famous faces. The  National Film and Sound Archives  (ScreenSound) is definitely worth swinging by if you’re a family of movie buffs.

If your teens are interested in history and politics, they’ll love the varied exhibitions of Old Parliament House, which houses the  Museum of Australian Democracy . It covers important eras and key personalities in Australia’s political history and is free to enter, although you must book.

Best time for families to visit Canberra

Canberra is one of those rare destinations that you genuinely could visit at any time of the year, although try to time your visit for one of the city’s frequent festivals or special exhibitions.

Expect to rug up in winter because Canberra is known to receive the odd (rare) spot of snow. Even if you don’t have any snow, you’ll still need a parka to combat the slicing winds.

Things heat up big time in summer, too. In both those seasons, make the most of the many indoor attractions.

We love Canberra in autumn. The tree-lined streets and parks look their best as the foliage turns a brilliant red.

Canberra’s family-friendly places to eat

Whether you’re a Canberra local or just a frequent visitor, you’ve likely heard of  Brodburger . Its reputation precedes its burgers, which are flame grilled, scrumptious and come in all shapes and sizes (including vegan and vegetarian). Add a side of onion rings, a milkshake and a run-around on their playground and you’re set! Brodburger has a venue in Kingston, near the Glassworks and in Capital Brewing Co. in Fyshwick.

Follow up your burger with something sweet from  Frugii.  Ever heard of a ‘dessert laboratory’? Sounds pretty cool, right? Open seven days a week in Braddon, this sugar heaven produces a weird and wacky and frequently changing menu of ice cream, gelato and sorbet, as well as cheesecakes and pastries. Try more unusual ice cream flavours such as ‘Vegemite on Sourdough,’ ‘Beetroot and paprika,’ or ‘Butter Chicken.’ Grease Monkey and Milky Lane are two more great Braddon picks.

In this story, we hear straight from kids and teens in Canberra about more top picks of places to eat.

Read more:   the best family food and restaurants in Canberra

Free fun in Canberra for families

• So is the  National Arboretum  – which is effectively a museum of trees. Bring a picnic to enjoy their wide grassy spaces, then let loose on the acorn-themed playground. The curious can also enter the bonsai room, containing various types of the fairy-sized trees.
• Bring a bike and a whole range of activities opens up to you. Just 15 minutes from the city centre lies 50-kilometres worth of maintained mountain-biking trails in Stromlo Forest Park. Majura Pines also has great beginners’ tracks.
• You can also pedal around Lake Burley Griffin, which is flat and easy to navigate. Whether on foot or on wheels, try different sections of the route to pass some of Canberra’s most famous monuments. Wander past international flags, Australian of the Year plaques and prominent buildings.

What’s on?

The best Canberra annual events for families

Enlighten Festival – March

From the light installations and Night Noodle Markets to the Lights!Canberra!Action! film festival and the hot-air balloon Spectacular, everyone in the family will be glowing after these festivities.

Floriade – September/October

You’ll have a bloomin’ good time thanks to live music concerts, food tents, NightFest events after dark and over 1 million flowers on display. Read more about Floriade Festival in a previous year.

Read more  about Floriade Festival  in a previous year.

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The ultimate guide of things to do in Canberra with kids All Aussie families should seriously consider a trip to Canberra with the kids. Whilst most people think it’s best for families with younger kids (you know, those under 10), we’ve also found plenty of activities and fun things to do in Canberra with pre-teens …

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Janeece Keller is the founder and editor of Family Travel. She mostly travels with her husband and two young kids. She has a large blended family that lives in Australia and Europe. She has visited 52 countries and lived on 3 continents. From camping to luxury resorts Janeece tries to make sure her family has diverse holiday experiences each year. She is an avid hiker and ocean swimmer who loves good food, margaritas and heading off the beaten path.

ULTIMATE GUIDE OF 23 BEST THINGS TO DO IN CANBERRA WITH KIDS

INSIDE: Everything you need to know about the top things to do in Canberra with kids and family. 

Canberra is a big surprise.

There are SO many Canberra activities for kids, it blew my mind on our last visit.

SO many things to do in Canberra for kids.

We were there for 5 action packed days, and could have stayed 3 weeks!

Planning to visit Canberra soon?

Take a look below and start making your list of Canberra attractions for families today. 

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links . If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO extra cost to you.

Best Things to do in Canberra with Kids

Correct at time of publication on Roam the Gnome . Please check with venue for updates. We apologise in advance if there have been any changes we are unaware of. All prices in AUD dollars, unless otherwise stated

When we travel to new cities, I always schedule each day to be full of activities, but this is one place I underestimated.

Every single one of the Canberra attractions we visited was full of modern, interactive, hands-on activities for kids.

For the first time ever, my  itinerary went straight out the window.

Where I’d planned to spend two hours, we ended up staying four.

When I’d planned for half a day, we stayed till closing!

Hot tip: A weekend is NOT enough, but it’s a start. 

Hotel Accommodation in Canberra

Looking for family accommodation in Canberra?

If you are searching for where to stay in Canberra with kids, check out these five hotels and apartments.

Novotel Canberra

The best thing about the Novotel in Canberra is the indoor pool.

Plus there’s free wifi, and it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from the train station.

Find it at 65 Northbourne Ave in the city centre.

Check latest prices on Booking.com

Pacific Suites Canberra

Another family apartment hotel, just up the road from the Novotel.

This one has an outdoor pool, and free wifi too. 

Find it at 100 Northbourne Ave, Braddon. 

Rydges Capital Hill 

You can’t go wrong staying at a Rydges Hotel. 

This stylish hotel in Canberra has an indoor pool, plus it’s smack bang in the centre of the CBD so you can walk everywhere.

Find it at corner of Canberra Ave and National Circuit, Forrest.

QT Canberra

We LOVE QT hotels, so this would be our first choice for fabulous style and quirky design.

But it’s the fact you can hire bikes to get around , and enjoy a spectacular buffet breakfast that gets us every time. 

Find it at London Circuit, in Canberra. 

Ibis Styles Canberra Eaglehawk 

We’ve never ever had a problem with an Ibis Styles hotel (and we’ve stayed in them in Bali, and Europe) 

There’s an outdoor pool, AND a playground! 

This colourful, vibrant hotel in Canberra is near the Australian War Memorial, and is a bit out of the way, so you need a car, but a fab family hotel at a budget price. 

Find it at 1222 Federal Highway Service Road, Sutton. 

Book Now: Take a HOT AIR BALLOON flight over Canberra with kids

THREE TOP CANBERRA ATTRACTIONS FOR KIDS & FAMILIES 

No.1: questacon science museum in canberra.

There’s 200+ educational FUN hands-on activities over SEVEN levels at Questacon Canberra. 

It’s so good, we gave it a rating of 10 TOADSTOOLS! 

Questacon is top of the tourist spots in Canberra, without a doubt. 

Don’t miss the Questacon FreeFall Slide.

At least one person in the family needs to brave it , and wear the attractive orange overalls/prison suit. 

Whoosh! is another exhibit that keeps kids busy for HOURS as they race to send lightweight scarves up a maze of tubes before they are spat out the funnel, and float back down!  

If you are looking for fun things to do in Canberra, or only have 1 day in Canberra, make your way there. 

READ MORE: Questacon in Canberra is the ULTIMATE Science Museum in Australian for Kids

No.2: POD Playground Canberra Arboretum 

Families looking for fun things to do in Canberra must visit the Pod playground.

The adorable pod playground at the National Arboretum in Canberra is an award-winning playground, popular with locals and visitors alike.

Roam the Gnome rates this whimsical playground in Canberra as one of the best playgrounds for Gnomes in the world!

If you are planning a family holiday to Canberra, put it on your list. 

READ MORE: 7 Best Playgrounds in Canberra

No.3: Australian War Memorial 

Discovery Zone Canberra

There’s a dedicated gallery for kids called the Discovery Zone.

• tap out morse code messages
• play a virtual reality game
• crawl through trench tunnels
• explore communication systems, and
• ‘fly’ an army helicopter too.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Family Guide to the Australian War Memorial & Discovery Zone Canberra

CANBERRA MUSEUMS FOR KIDS

No.4: museum of australian democracy.

The PLAY UP exhibition at the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra has both hands-on AND screen based activities for kids, to help them explore the idea of democracy. 

Pick up a Family Activity Pack from the front desk, and be led around the museum on one of three different ‘journeys’ to find important pieces of information from Australia history. 

The MOAD is located at Old Parliament House. 

Read More: PLAY UP Old Parliament House at the Museum of Australian Democracy

No.5: Australian Dinosaur Museum Canberra

The National Dinosaur Museum Canberra is Australia’s largest permanent display of prehistoric specimens , located in Gold Creek Village near Canberra.

There are SO many hands-on activities for kids here, including a dinosaur walk-through, places to play, dinosaur puzzles, colouring in activities, and a special Junior Hunt kit with a prize at the end once it’s completed.

There’s a cool Dinosaur shop selling all kinds of souvenirs & gifts from “Prehistoric” times.

Check out their displays of amethyst caves at Canberra Dinosaur Museum too. 

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to the Australian Dinosaur Museum in Canberra

FUN CANBERRA ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS

No.7: yarralumla play station in canberra.

Ride the miniature railway at Yarralumla Play Station.

It’s a nine minute loop on a specially commissioned Bluebell train , that stops at the Animal Farm for a quick cuddle with the farm animals too. 

There’s a cool cafe, with a kids play area too.

Plus a playground not far away.

It’s one of Canberra’s most popular weekend destinations for families. 

READ MORE: The Complete Guide to Yarralumla Play Station

No.8: Weston Park Canberra Mini Golf

This is a mini golf course with a difference.

At Weston Park Mini Golf course, the course is made up of iconic Canberra sights . Play a round visiting miniature versions of Parliamentary Triangle, Lake Burley Griffin, and Parliament House.

It’s located at Yarralumla Play Station.

READ MORE: The Guide to Weston Park Mini Golf 

No.9: Swim at Weston Park

On a hot summers day in Canberra, swimming is the only way to beat the heat.

Try this spot.

The swimming enclosure at Weston Park Yarralumla.  

There’s an enclosed area for toddlers and small kids too. 

READ MORE: The Guide to the Weston Park Swimming Enclosure

MORE CANBERRA PLAYGROUNDS

No.10: black mountain peninsula playground.

This is the quintessential “Aussie” bushland playgroun d in the centre of Canberra. 

We love it because it’s a chance to play surrounded by the iconic Australian bush – there’s eucalyptus trees, red dirt, blue skies, and stone walls surrounding the BBQ areas.

You could be in the Northern Territory, but you are about 5 minutes from the CBD. 

It’s a hidden-in-plain-sight treasure. 

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to the Black Mountain Peninsula Playground

No.11: Boundless Playground Canberra

Do not visit this playground on a scorching hot day.

It’s dreadful.

But on a pleasant cool day with breezes, this is one of Canberra’s best playgrounds. 

It’s a very popular all abilities playground with three separate zones, with all kinds of fun activities for kids of all ages in Canberra. 

READ MORE: The Complete Guide to Boundless Playground in Canberra

No.12: Gordon Park Canberra Playground

Gordon Playground has a fabulous ‘Leaning Tower’ and suspended rope bridge walkway.

You can see it from the carpark, this giant pseudo-Leaning Tower of Pisa. 

That’s just one part of this fabulous Canberra playground. 

It’s massive! 

There’s playground equipment for all ages.

BYO bbq or picnic food and stay for hours. 

Don’t miss it. 

READ MORE: The Complete Guide to Gordon Playground in Canberra for kids

No.13: Kambah Adventure Playground

The kid-friendly rock climbing wall is the hot attraction at this Canberra playground.

The dual-slides are fun too.

Keep an eye out for KANGAROO bouncers!  It’s the first time we’ve seen one of these things. 

READ MORE: The Complete Guide to Kambah Playground in Canberra

No.14: Fadden Pines Playground in Canberra

This is a fabulous playground for toddlers in Canberra, with LOTS of wide open space to run, a fort, swings and more.

It’s also a top playground in Canberra for older kids. 

The rainbow castle has climbing nets, platforms, and bridges.

There’s also another separate playground area across the way, so it’s two playgrounds in one. 

READ MORE: The Complete Guide to Fadden Pines Playground Canberra

No.15: National Arboretum Himalayan Cedar Grove Nature Play Canberra

There’s another open nature play area at the National Arboretum in Canberra too.

Friends took us there, and the boys spent a happy few hours exploring and playing around and under the Cedar trees. 

It’s a top spot for a nature play picnic too. 

READ MORE:  Nature Play at the National Canberra Arboretum

No.16: Weston Park Adventure Playground

Weston Park adventure playground in Canberra has a water play area.

Kids can splash, play with the water pump, and walk through the rocky creek channel too.

There’s playground equipment including swings, a pyramid climbing frame, a sandpit with diggers and more.

Bring a picnic lunch. This is one of the popular parks for families in Canberra, and much loved for Sunday catch ups.  

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Weston Park Adventure Playground

Canberra is AWESOME for kids.

No.17: Nature Play at Yarralumla Park

When you’ve finished at the playground, head to the nature play area at Yarralumla. 

There’s a whispering willows forest surrounding a lake, and kids can run, skip, hop, and climb the rocky mountain walls here.

READ MORE: How to find the Nature Play area at Yarralumla Park

MORE CANBERRA ACTIVITIES FOR HISTORY/CULTURE BUFFS 

No.18: lake burley griffin cruises.

This is one of the surprise finds for kids in Canberra.

It’s not so good for toddlers or young kids, as you are couped up on a small boat with lots of people, but for kids over 5, it’s a bit of an adventure.

You’ll hear quirky stories of the people, the places, the buildings and the history of Canberra. 

Get ready for a laugh! 

No.19: Government House Lookout

Visit the Government House lookout to see the elegant building that is home to Australia’s Governor General. 

READ MORE:   Spot Government House Canberra from the lookout

No.20: KSpace at the National Museum Canberra

Once you’ve visited all the other attractions in Canberra for kids, head to the National Museum of Canberra.

KSpace is the dedicated kids gallery on the lower floor.

There’s a three-stage computer animated experience where kids get to design a robot, then take this robot on an adventure somewhere in Australia. 

It’s cool, but best for kids over 7. 

Read more: KSpace for Kids at the National Museum of Canberra

WHERE TO EAT IN CANBERRA

No.21: the fabulous patissez freakshake.

Visit the Patissez Cafe in Griffith to try their signature Freakshake milkshake. 

These Canberra milkshakes are NOT healthy, but they are FUN.

Try the Pretzella nutty nutella shake with pretzels. 

READ MORE: The Insiders Guide to the Patissez Cafe in Canberra

No.22: Weston Railway Station Cafe at Yarralumla 

This is the number one child friendly cafe in Canberra, with it’s own indoor play area for kids.

But it’s the cute railway booths that you can eat in that caught our eye. 

The menu has healthy but delicious favourites including chipotle chicken wings, and a kids menu too.

READ MORE: The Guide to Weston Railway Station Cafe

Image credit: Pjluk via Flickr CC BY-2.0 

No.23: What to do in Canberra for FREE

There are so many free things to visit in Canberra , you can fill a week just with these Canberra tourist attractions. 

• Walk around Lake Burley Griffin, hear the National Carillon bells toll every hour and see the Canberra Cook Memorial Jet fountain shoot water up to 150 metres into the air! 
• Stroll the ANZAC Parade Walk – it’s an epic recognisable sight of Australia
• Head up to the Mount Ainslie Lookout for a view of Canberra from up top
• Visit the National Gallery of Australia
• Visit the National Portrait Gallery
• Visit the Royal Australian Mint 
• Head to the National Museum of Australia
• Wander the Australian National Botanic Gardens
• Stop by the National Library of Australia
• Take a look at any of the Canberra farmers markets (you won’t be able to resist a snack though!)
• View the Captain Cook memorial globe
• Window shop at the Canberra Antiques centre, or the Belconnen Arts Centre Inc. 
• Stroll around Chinatown in Canberra
• Swim at Pine Island reserve
• See the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and learn about it’s place in Australian history
• Visit any one of the Canberra playgrounds we’ve reviewed, or try John Knight Memorial Park in Belconnen
• Visit Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve & the NASA Deep Space Communication Centre Visitor Centre
• The National Arboretum is FREE too

Visit the Canberra and Region Visitors centre location, and ask their staff for more tips on the best free things to do in Canberra as well as tours and more.

Canberra Events during Canberra School Holidays 

Eventbrite is the best website for finding out about the best Canberra school holiday events , and other events in Canberra for kids and families, all year round. 

The National Zoo and Cockington Green Gardens are two popular attractions with regular school holiday activities in Canberra for children. 

There’s so many free things to do in Canberra school holidays. You’ll be surprised! 

Check it out here . 

READ MORE: Travelling with teens? Book a 4.5 Hour Guided Tour of Parliament House including High Tea !

Image credit: Andy Tyler via Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0 

Whats on in Canberra this weekend?

Check out the Events Guide to Canberra here  

Find out about all the current events in Canberra this weekend, and next so you can plan your Canberra itinerary. 

Don’t Miss Floriade

You’ll find fun things to do in Canberra all year round.

Our top picks include the fabulous Floriade , Australia’s biggest celebration of Spring, held in September/October each year.

Put it on your bucket list. 

Old Depot Bus Markets

Our other fave is the Old Depot Bus Markets.

Click here for opening hours. 

The Old Bus markets are one of the best craft markets in Australia. 

Image credit: Christopher John SSF via Flickr CC BY- 2.0 

MORE Canberra for Kids activities

Check out our Canberra Travel Blog for more fun things to do in Canberra with kids.

Looking for More Places to Visit in Australia with Kids? 

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THE 10 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Canberra

Things to do in canberra with kids.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Australian War Memorial

2. Parliament House

3. Questacon

4. National Zoo and Aquarium

5. Mount Ainslie Lookout

6. Lake Burley Griffin

7. Museum of Australian Democracy

8. National Museum of Australia

9. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

10. National Arboretum

11. Cockington Green

12. National Bonsai & Penjing Collection

13. Australian National Botanic Gardens

14. Lanyon Homestead

15. ANZAC Parade Walk

16. Floriade

17. Namadgi National Park

18. AIS - Australian Institute of Sport

19. The National Dinosaur Museum

20. Cotter Reserve

21. Geoscience Australia

22. Old Bus Depot Markets

23. Canberra Centre

24. Canberra and Region Visitors Centre

25. Canberra Reptile Zoo

26. Weston Park

27. Stromlo Forest Park

28. Commonwealth Park

29. National Capital Exhibition

30. Black Mountain Nature Park

What travellers are saying

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Tips and ideas for family travel - Especially for families with four children

• Aug 23, 2023

Canberra With Kids: A Family-Friendly, Informative and Relaxing Place to Visit

#canberrawithkids #travelfunwithfour #australiancapital #travel

Why Canberra?

Australia is full of spectacular natural beauty. We also have bustling major coastal cities, cute outback towns and relaxing beachside hideaways. With so much competition, I understand why Canberra may not be on many travel bucket lists.

However, Canberra has a lot going for it as a family travel destination. It's relatively close to Sydney and can be reached in a few hours. Canberra doesn’t have access to a beach, but it does have a spectacular lake and the city is surrounded by nature.

Within the city are some of our nation’s most significant cultural artefacts in museums, art galleries and libraries. It’s the home of Australia’s national parliament and our Prime Minister, as well as the embassies housing diplomats from around the world. For all these reasons, Canberra offers something unique to travellers.

How long do I need?

A couple of days in Canberra is enough to see several museums or galleries if you visit one in the morning and one in the afternoon each day. Extend the trip to four or five days and you can enjoy a slower pace and tick off nearly every activity we recommend below. A whole week is perfect if you’d like to include day trips to surrounding areas (which are well worth it!). Hopefully you can find time to visit Canberra with your family!

Here's our summary…

We have explained in detail our recommended activities in individual blog posts, and I’ll add hyperlinks throughout our summary below so you can get more information about activities that interest your family. Below, we’ll break down the activities we enjoyed, to help you prioritise them for your own visit.

Just to be clear, nothing we did was a disappointment or a waste of time. The National Museum was a little underwhelming, but this was probably due to a) the difficulty finding a car park, which led us to assume we were going to see something amazing because of its popularity and b) the construction and development work being undertaken during our visit. There were not many activities targeted to school-aged children, however the under-5s play area looked fantastic, so families with younger children might enjoy the museum more than we did.

If you only have a few days in Canberra, we recommend prioritising these activities, which cover history, significance, nature, learning, fun and hands-on activities. These activities have something of interest for all ages. Apart from Tidbinbilla, all these destinations can be reached by rideshare or public transport if you’re visiting Canberra without a vehicle.

The Australian War Memorial

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

The Royal Australian Mint

Museum of Australian Democracy

A little longer

If you have a longer visit, like we did, these activities also tick all the boxes:

Parliament House

National Museum of Australia

Corin Forest

Yarralumla Play Station

Arboretum Playground

Canberra Visitor Centre

Again, most of these activities are within Canberra’s city area, with the exception of Corin Forest. Reasons for visiting Corin Forest will depend on the season. The snow play is fun in winter, but you may not get as much value from a visit if you’re going for the big slide at a non-snow time.

Fun, but not essential

Finally, the activities below are things we enjoyed, but which you probably won’t regret missing if you can’t fit them in. Cockington Green Gardens could be anywhere in the world, and it’s only the international displays which really give you a sense of Canberra. Weston Park is beautiful, but at the end of the day, it’s just a lovely park, and if you’re going to some of the destinations mentioned above, you’ll enjoy plenty of outdoor time in and around Canberra anyway.

Our lowest priorities (but still great!):

Cockington Green Gardens

Weston Park

Other festivals and activities

Driving around, you will see some of the embassy buildings and Lake Burley Griffin, but if you have a few minutes to make a detour, then try the Embassy Driving Tour and stop to visit the Carillon . These don’t have to be long visits, but they will give you a strong sense of place and they highlight the things that make Canberra special.

We are really glad we took our daughters to Australia's national capital. It was a fun road trip and we all learnt a lot during our time in Canberra. It's definitely worth adding to your family travel list!

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Things to Do in Canberra: 3-Day Itinerary

by Lisa Bull | Last updated May 5, 2022 | A.C.T.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

If you’re looking for a cultural weekend trip in Australia, you’ll find plenty of interesting things to do in Canberra, the capital of Australia.

Located between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra makes a great drive stop on a Sydney to Melbourne road trip , or a top weekend getaway from either city.

This 3-day Canberra itinerary can be enjoyed by foot or car and includes the top places to visit in Canberra. Read on to plan your visit, or watch my YouTube video below.

Day 1 Morning Itinerary: National Museum of Australia

If you’re hoping to visit some interesting museums in Canberra, make sure you pencil in the National Museum of Australia. It’s one of my top recommended places to see in Canberra.

It’s a flat and easy 30-minute walk to the National Museum of Australia on the Acton Peninsula from Canberra city; most of it is along the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, so quite scenic.

The National Museum is huge and extremely well laid out, with clear themes and lots to read and look at. I’d allow at least two hours inside if this sounds like your sort of thing.

I didn’t think I was a museum person, but there was so much information about the European settlers and Australian wildlife, as well as Australia’s indigenous people and the stolen generation, that I found it fascinating and very moving.

The building is a work of art in itself, and there’s also a nice cafe if you want to stay for lunch. If you’ve packed a picnic you can sit and eat outside in the Garden of Australian Dreams.

Day 1 Afternoon Itinerary: Canberra Botanic Gardens

Canberra Botanic Gardens are also located on the western side of Canberra city centre, so you can walk from the National Museum of Australia to the botanic gardens in the same day.

Here you’ll find the world’s most diverse collection of Australian plants, with over 6,000 different species growing.

You can pick up a map from the visitor centre on arrival, and also visit the lovely Pollen Café if you need a refresher. The meals are on the pricier side (around $17 upwards for breakfast), but the food is lovely.

There are lots of different sections at Canberra Botanic Gardens, including eucalypt lawns, a rainforest gully, and the very vibrant Red Centre Garden. I’d give yourself at least an hour to explore.

Optional Extra Canberra Attraction: Hike up Black Mountain to Telstra Tower

Behind the Red Centre Garden is a walking track leading up Canberra’s Black Mountain (you’ll see the signs) which takes you all the way to Telstra Tower .

I didn’t realise this walk existed until I arrived, but even though I had a cold and felt a bit rubbish, I decided to drag myself up to the top since I’d walked all that way already!

The sign says it takes 1 hour 10 minutes to get to Telstra Tower from the gate, but it only took me 30 minutes there and 20 minutes back down. And I walked very slowly and stopped a lot to take photos!

It is all uphill, but only the last five or ten minutes is particularly steep. I wouldn’t fancy doing it in the summer heat, but it wasn’t too hard in winter.

It costs $7.50 to go inside Telstra Tower and up to the viewing platform, but it’s well worth it as the 360-degree views of Canberra and the surrounding countryside are amazing!

You can’t actually see much from the base of the tower as trees obscure the view, so if you’re going to hike up there you may as well go inside.

Day 2 Morning Itinerary: Australian War Memorial & Canberra Museum and Gallery

One of the top free things to do in Canberra is visit the Australian War Memorial, which was built to commemorate the sacrifice of Australian people who’d died at war.

The Australian War Memorial is only a 20-minute walk from Canberra city centre. It’s worth taking a wander down Anzac Parade too, which has lots of war monuments dotted along the edges, as well as views all the way to Parliament House.

Once again, Canberra delivered so much more than I was expecting! The Australian War Memorial is a beautiful building, and much bigger than I’d anticipated. It really is one of the best places to go in Canberra.

Inside the Australian War Memorial, you can circle around the Pool of Reflection and the Eternal Flame in the Commemorative Courtyard, as well as stroll along the poppy-laden Roll of Honour, where the names of over 102,000 Australians who died at war have been inscribed in bronze on the wall.

My favourite area was the peaceful Hall of Memory, which holds the tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. The mosaic walls, domed ceiling and stained-glass windows are absolutely beautiful.

I had no idea the Australian War Memorial also has quite a large museum inside! The are interesting exhibitions covering Australia’s involvement in each major conflict.

If you want to look around properly I’d allow two hours at the Australian War Memorial. The large Poppy Café next to it is also lovely if you want to stay for lunch or a coffee.

Optional Extra Canberra Activity: Hike up to Mount Ainslie Summit

I didn’t have time for this, but you can do a 4km-return hike up to Mount Ainslie summit from the Australian War Memorial. Here you’ll find one of the best lookouts in Canberra, with views across to Parliament House and beyond.

Day 2 Afternoon Itinerary: Canberra Museum & Gallery

Back in the city, Canberra Museum and Gallery is a small space on the corner of London Circle and City Square that takes about half an hour to look around.

There was an amazing exhibition on called Unfinished Business when I visited, by a Sydney-based artist called Belinda Mason. It tells the stories of 30 people with disabilities from Torres Strait Islander and Australian Aboriginal communities.

You can’t tell from the picture below, but the lenticular backlit photographs actually look 3D and are really amazing to see up close.

Day 3 Morning Itinerary: Parliamentary Triangle: Parliament House, Portrait Gallery & National Gallery

If you look on a map of Canberra you’ll see the huge State Circle and Capital Circle just south of Lake Burley Griffin. In the centre of these lies Australian Parliament House.

If you’re wondering what to see in Canberra in one day, I’d add Parliament House to your day trip itinerary. It’s one of the most well known Canberra attractions.

The area directly northeast of Parliament House, bound by Commonwealth Avenue and King Avenue, is Parliamentary Triangle, (aka Parliament Zone), where you’ll find lots of interesting Canberra attractions including two art galleries.

I’d allow at least two hours in this area, or more if you want to visit Questacon or go on a Segway tour. Here are some of the things to see in Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle:

Australian Parliament House

It takes about 40 minutes to walk to Australian Parliament House from Canberra city centre. This modern-looking building is free to enter, and contains lots of information boards explaining the structure of Australian parliament and how bills are passed etc.

You can even watch Parliament in action from the public galleries in the House of Representatives and the Senate if you visit at the right time!

There’s also a café with a large terrace, and a viewing area on the roof. Most of the roof was closed for restructuring when I visited in 2018 though.

The National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon , is also located in Parliamentary Triangle. I hadn’t actually heard of this place until I passed it on the way back, but it looks like a fun way to learn about science, particularly if you have children!

Entry prices are $23 for adults, $17.50 for concessions and children between 4-16, $70 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children, and free for kids under 4.

Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House is a big, grand white building with surrounding gardens. You’ll pass it if you’re walking to Parliament House from the city. You can explore inside for a $2 donation.

National Gallery of Australia

I’d allow about an hour in Canberra’s National Gallery of Australia if you’re an art lover. It’s free to enter and has many different exhibitions on.

National Portrait Gallery

The nearby National Portrait Gallery is also free to enter, with lots of different styles of paintings to enjoy.

National Library of Australia

There are also events, guided tours and exhibitions on at the National Library of Australia , which you’ll pass before crossing the river on your way back to the city

Guided Segway Tour of Canberra

I saw lots of people on guided segway tours of Canberra with Seg Glide Ride around Parliament Zone. It looked like a fun way to explore Canberra!

Day 3 Afternoon Itinerary: Explore Canberra City Centre

If you’re looking for things to do in Canberra city centre, you’ll find plenty of shops and cafes to peruse. Head to Bunda St to look around The Canberra Centre shopping mall, which also has a Dendy Cinema inside if you fancy watching a movie.

For coffee or lunch in Canberra city, Dobinsons on Bunda St is reasonably priced and has a lovely colourful outdoor area.

Further Things to Do in Canberra

If you have more time in ACT, here are some alternative things to do in Canberra that I didn’t have time for.

• You could head down to the Royal Australian Mint and explore the sole supplier of Australia’s circulating coinage. 
• To get back to nature, the Canberra National Arboretum in Weston Creek has 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world.
• With dedicated cycle lanes on its main roads as well as around Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra is a very bike-friendly city. Check out the Visit Canberra website for more details on bike hire and routes.

Canberra Accommodation

To find the best deals on accommodation in Canberra, have a browse on Canberra accommodation on Hotels Combined . They compare prices across the major hotel comparison sites to ensure you find the best price. Here are some of your options.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge (Canberra Zoo Hotel)

The most unique accommodation in Canberra has to be the Jamala Wildlife Lodge ! These luxury lodges at the National Zoo and Aquarium include lavish king-size beds, bespoke African fixtures and decor plus premium amenities. The room rate includes all food and drinks and exclusive tours.

You can choose from three types of lodge:

• suites and rooms with a shark tank, pool, spa and gardens;
• treehouses overlooking the Molonglo River with giraffes, deer and alpaca directly outside;
• jungle bungalows looking straight out onto a variety of animal enclosures.

Crowne Plaza Canberra

With an outdoor pool, onsite gym and sauna, the 4.5* Crowne Plaza Canberra has plenty of facilities to keep you occupied when you’re not out exploring Canberra’s attractions.

The hotel is situated in the heart of Canberra, just 3km from Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial, and has an onsite restaurant and bar and even Tesla electric car charging points.

Pacific Suites Canberra

If you prefer more amenities than a hotel room has to offer, Pacific Suites Canberra has self-contained apartments, each with a full kitchen, laundry and a lounge and dining area.

You can walk to bars and restaurants in Canberra CBD from Pacific Suites, and the complex also has a pool and fitness centre.

Canberra City YHA

I stayed at Canberra City YHA , which I’d highly recommend if you’re looking for budget accommodation in Canberra. It’s centrally located and has great facilities; even a small indoor pool, spa and sauna!

Canberra YHA also has TV rooms, sofas, a decent kitchen, café, bar (yet no noise from it) and recycling bins inside the dorms, which I’ve never come across before!

The roof terrace would be great in summer. And they hold barbecues once a week so you can socialise, as well as other daily activities.

How to Get to Canberra from Sydney

Canberra is just close enough to Sydney to make it worth visiting for three or four days. The drive time from Melbourne to Canberra takes over six hours though, so it’s a bit far to go unless you’re flying or planning a longer trip.

Sydney to Canberra By Car

The distance from Sydney to Canberra is 287km along the M31, which takes about three hours to drive. Check out my guide on what to do in the Southern Highlands if you want to stop off in one of the cute country towns along the way.

If you’re on a Melbourne to Sydney road trip , you could take the inland route via Canberra instead of the coastal route, or cut up from the coast halfway along your journey. Particularly if you have a wet week ahead and can’t do much at the seaside towns.

Sydney to Canberra by Train

I travelled from Sydney to Canberra by train, as I fancied a break from driving.

A direct train from Sydney to Canberra takes just over four hours , and costs around $28 economy , or $40 first class at most times of day.

The trip has to be booked in advance on NSW TrainLink , as once the seats are all allocated they don’t sell anymore tickets (unlike in the UK where they will cram people on standing up and charge about four times this price!).

The train was full when I tried to book one day in advance, so I used my Opal card to get from Sydney to Moss Vale , which only cost about $6 , and stayed in an Airbnb overnight. Then Moss Vale to Canberra the following morning took 2 hours 20 minutes and cost $15 .

I couldn’t believe how great the facilities were on the train !

While it looked a bit dated inside, it had air-con, reclining seats, foot rests, fold-down tables, curtains, brochures with a bio of the staff and destination guides, net pockets for your stuff, a buffet serving hot meals and a huge amount of leg room!

Rather than ask to see your ticket the attendant comes around with a register and ticks you off! The scenery was lovely too. The picture above is a bit blurry, but there are actually about 50 kangaroos bounding across the grass!

The train station in Canberra is around 6km outside of the city , which is a bit of a pain. To get the bus to the city cross Mildura Road directly opposite the station and catch the number 80 . This cost me $4.90 in cash, but it does only run once an hour.

Canberra Weather

Note that Canberra weather is very different to the weather in Sydney! While the summers are hot, the winters are much colder . It was about 13 degrees in the day when I visited in July, and often dropped below zero at night.

It was extremely sunny though, so walking around was a constant cycle of whipping off my hat, gloves and coat in the sun because I felt boiling, then quickly putting them back on again when the wind blew or it was shady!

It’s also extremely dry in Canberra, although there is a severe drought at the moment. The grass was totally brown and frazzled, and even the leaves on the trees looked dead. I’ll admit I was struck with an overwhelming urge to leave on the first day, as the grey buildings and lack of greenery looked so depressing compared to Sydney!

Canberra did grow on me though; there’s so much cultural stuff to do, and it looks quite pretty from up in the mountains. I met some great people in the YHA too.

That’s it for my recommended things to do in Canberra, Australia’s capital city. Have a great time exploring Oz, and let me know in the comments what you thought of Canberra and if you have any further recommendations!

Lisa Bull, founder of Dreaming of Down Under, has been living in Australia as a British expat since 2015. After travelling to every state and territory in Australia and living in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney, Lisa knows from first-hand experience the best destinations to visit in Australia and the best budget travel tips. Her guides on this blog have been read by over 700k readers and helped thousands of people achieve their dream of living in or travelling Australia.

Thank you for sharing your journey to Canberra. I’m from Phils and planning to go to Sydney. And want to go to another city, which is better Canberra or Melbourne.

No problem. Canberra is great for museums etc and also has surrounding bushland for hiking. Personally I would choose Melbourne out of the two though. It’s much bigger and has a really interesting city centre with great old architecture, lots of cafes and beaches too.

Fantastic article of Canberra Thank you for sharing

Thanks Ria!

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Hi, I'm Lisa, a British expat living in Sydney. I've travelled almost the whole Australian coastline and love sharing detailed travel and migration guides to inspire other adventurous souls to travel or move to Australia. Read more about me!

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Top 20 Amazing Things to do in Canberra with Kids

Looking for the perfect destination in Australia with kids? Look no further, Canberra is it.

Canberra gets a bad rap. When we told people in our home city of Melbourne that we were going to Canberra, the most common response was “why?”. I don’t even know why there is so much negativity among Australians for our nation’s capital as this place is great! This was my fourth visit (first with kids, although I was 17 the first time), and I was blown away yet again by all the things to see and do in Canberra.

Canberra is definitely the most underrated destination in Australia. Perhaps the world!

I am not aware of anywhere else in Australia that has so many must see attractions. The amount of Canberra things to see that are quality, top class attractions is long. If you are on a budget, there is also the bonus that there are many free things to do in Canberra with kids. Many of our kids activities in Canberra that we have written about are free or very low cost and they will appeal to both adults and kids.

Below you will find out guide of what to do in Canberra with kids, a Canberra attractions’ map, where to stay in Canberra with kids and other useful information so you can plan an awesome Canberra holiday. Our kids were 6, 4.5 and 4 months old on our recent visit.

Be warned! There is a crazy amount of fun family activities in Canberra and it’s going to be hard to decide what to do! So whether you are looking for things to do in Canberra this weekend or for a longer trip, you will have plenty of choices.

Top 20 things to do in Canberra with kids

Museum of australian democracy at the old parliament house.

Sitting in the old Senate

Our choice for one of the best things to see in Canberra for families is definitely a visit to the Old Parliament House to explore the Museum of Australian Democracy.

Josh and I loved this museum. We were able to wander around the Old Parliament House and it felt more like getting an insider’s views compared to the new Parliament House since we could walk inside so many different parts – like the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Prime Minister’s offices. Many offices were set up like they used to be complete with old typewriters and box TVs. It is very cool to think about everything what went on in this building.

The kids loved it primarily because of the very well done kids’ area (more about this in a minute) but also because they enjoyed walking through the offices which were still set up and the House of Representatives – things like this are much more interesting to them than rooms full of information (which certainly exist here as well). They had been very interested in the recent election and this helped them understand it all a bit better.

There is a lot of information about Australian democracy – its history and all the big players like the Prime Ministers, former opposition leaders and other people and things that have played a part – like where the ideas of democracy came from in the first place.

The highlight for kids is definitely the “Play Up” area. Here, kids can learn about their rights and responsibilities and there are just some very fun activities for kids in Canberra right here. They can play with cars, planes, build cubby houses, play in a teepee and a makeshift kitchen – plus many more things.

Then there’s the more educational side with information to help kids’ learn about their rights and responsibilities. We did find these sections just had too many words and the explanations too long for our kids to understand it. They did love all the playing though.

There are plenty of other Canberra activities for kids here too with a dress up room and parts of the other exhibits work well for kids too with interactive screens, audio, dressing up as the Speaker (and sitting in their chair) and other opportunities to get involved at the museum. We all really loved this Canberra must see.

Entry is $5 for a family. Paid parking on weekdays. More information on their site .

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is another of the very worthwhile Canberra attractions for kids (and adults!). This impressive museum will entertain everyone. The building itself is quite a sight and although it looks huge on the outside, it’s quite a good size for exploring with kids.

The best part about this museum is how well presented it is. It tells the history of Australia from the first Australians and European arrival until today. There are so many different items to look at including big things like cars, tractors, a plane, animals, etc that it is entertaining even for little kids.

There’s also regular hands on Canberra children activities throughout the museum to help keep kids interested including things like a whole lot of cupboard doors that kids can open to find different items.

Mr 4 is particularly interested in indigenous culture and this is well catered to as well.

Making robots at Kspace

The highlight for any kid is going to be Kspace. This area is built for families and rather than being a play space like many of the other Canberra attractions for families that we visited, it’s a fun interactive journey where you make a robot and go back in time and then play video game like activities as a family. It goes back to random points in history – on our turn, we went to the Victorian Goldfields which worked especially well after visiting Ballarat recently.

My older kids (4.5 and 6) loved it, and it also worked well with much older kids so I’d also suggest this when looking for fun things to do in Canberra for teenagers. We were there on a Sunday morning and only waited about ten minutes for a turn which I find amazing for such a quality free attraction.

Entry is free. Paid parking on weekdays. See their site for more information.

Canberra Space Centre at Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex

Part of the Canberra Space Centre

The Canberra Space Centre is in the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and is located about a 40 minute drive from Canberra. It is a must see in Canberra for budding space enthusiasts.

The complex is part of NASA’s Deep Space Network and is one of three tracking centres in the world which provide radio contact with the dozens of robotic spacecraft exploring the solar system.

The Space Centre is small but has lots of information about the exploration of space, what we know about the planets and details about being an astronaut. There are spacesuits, a piece of Moon rock and two theatres showing informative films. There’s some interesting trivia – like how astronauts go to the toilet in space!

Mr 4 is so obsessed with the planets and space at the moment that there was no way we were missing this – and he loved it despite it being more aimed at adults. Miss 6 wasn’t as impressed, but both J and I enjoyed it. They both were happy watching the films for awhile.

For toddlers, there is an activity centre like display to play with in the middle of one of the rooms. There’s a playground and cafe too and it’s our top choice of places to visit near Canberra.

Entry is free. More information here .

The National Dinosaur Museum

Outside the National Dinosaur Museum

To say the Dinosaur Museum was an essential item on our list of things to do with kids in Canberra is an understatement. Our kids were so excited when they heard there was a dinosaur museum in Canberra!

Thankfully, the museum lived up to its name and the kids just loved it.

It was a hit from the beginning when we pulled up to find many dinosaur statues at the front of the museum. If you are visiting Canberra with kids, you could stop by and look at the outdoor statues even if you don’t have the time or budget to go inside. The museum is right by the main highway into Canberra so this is easy to do.

Doing dinosaur activities

Inside is two levels – the top is the museum. Here is a history of dinosaurs over the ages. It is full of information and lots of dinosaur bones (over 50 full skeletons on display) and dinosaur models – many of which move! There’s also the chance for kids to touch many things including dinosaur bones and fossils.

Downstairs is a shop and a room full of dinosaur themed, Canberra kids’ activities. I think the kids could have spent hours here. There are drawing supplies, books, puzzles, fossil rubbings, lego, as well as the chance to pose in large model dinosaur eggs with a moving dinosaur in the middle. We all enjoyed doing the activities together.

The National Dinosaur Museum is easy to find by the Barton Highway (map below). It cost $45 for a family when we visited. More information on their website .

Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial might be a surprising entry in a list of what to do with kids in Canberra, but like many things in Canberra we visited its a place that can entertain as well as educate. And given the subject matter that’s no mean feat. In addition to being a memorial, there’s a museum which contains Australia’s military history. Within the museum there’s a kid’s discovery centre which was a hit with almost every kid I saw pass through.

Entering through the main entrance the first thing that caught our eye was the Hall of Memory, and the pool with an eternal flame. The lead up to the chapel which is flanked by the Roll of Honour listing Australia’s war dead. Although I thought the kids wouldn’t be interested, they were curious about why there was a fire that is always burning and why there are all the names on the wall and what the poppies for. They even asked me to explain why no one knew who The Unknown Soldier was and why he was there.

The museum is filled with artefacts illustrating a narrative of Australia’s war involvement. Unsurprisingly the two world wars take up most of the space. I thought the kids would find it all boring and want to run through, but no. There are a lot of eye catching things on display and many multimedia or interactive displays. They never focused on any one thing for very long but there was always something that engaged them and that they wanted to talk about.

To the back of the museum there is a hall with old aircraft on display, mainly from World War II. I thought that this would be what they (especially Z) found the most interesting but there was so much stuff that to them it was just another section.

The biggest hit, by far, was the Discovery Zone. An interactive play centre, there was the chance for S and Z to fly a Huey in Vietnam, crew a mock up of a Oberon class submarine, clear mines and build bridges as part of a peace keeping mission and go into the trenches on the Western Front. In each section there were uniforms of the day (old bits of real ones, mostly) at hand to wear. Most had audio-visual components to add to the realism.

The kids loved dressing up and role-playing. While I have to admit to a Tour-of-Dutyesque enjoyment of having my kids fly me into a rice paddy while under fire from the Viet Cong, it was a bit disturbing having them get right into manning an observation post and live in a trench complete with a trench foot display and a sample of what mustard gas smelt like.

We were here nearly three hours, with roughly half the time spent in the Discovery Zone. If I hadn’t had made them leave, the kids would have stayed there till the Last Post sounded. They loved that place. They found the rest of it more interesting than I thought and it was all well done, for people of all ages. It has the kids tick of approval. I’m not sure if “enjoy” is the right word of this sort of place but I’m glad I went and took the kids with me so while it might not be the first thing to jump into your head when thinking about Canberra family activities, this place is a great one.

Entry to the memorial and the museum is free, although gold coin donations are subtly requested at the entry to both. Everything was pram/wheelchair accessible.

Anzac Parade

Anzac Parade is a commemorative road leading up to the Australian War Memorial. The road is lined with memorials for Australian and New Zealand service people who fought and died in war.

There is a red gravel central strip made from crushed house bricks which is meant to make the crunch sound that are made by military boots in a parade. It makes for quite a sight and is also very visible from both the new and old Parliament houses.

It’s a nice walk to Lake Burley Griffin along here.

Lots and lots of experiments at Questacon

Questacon, Canberra’s science museum, is guaranteed to be one of your kids’ best things to do in Canberra. It’s awesome! And it’s not just for kids either. Adults are likely to love it too.

There are 8 different galleries with a variety of science experiments and activities. The how behind it is explained as well although if you have younger kids, like us, mostly it’s going to be about having fun with all the different things although my kids certainly learned as they went.

You can do things like puzzles, turning many different levers to make things happen, dance while a big screen shows you with a zillion legs and arms, see lightening, typhoons, earthquakes, build “helicopters” and try them out, build and use car race tracks, go down a 6 metre free fall slide, see how fast you can throw a ball and so, so many other things.

One of the final galleries is the perfect Canberra kids things to do if you are travelling with younger kids. It’s especially for 0-6 year olds and has areas such as an indoor playground, water activities, building blocks and a kitchen area. It reminded me of the Scienceworks little kids area in Melbourne . The best thing about this for me was that baby J finally had something he could do! At 4 months old, this is the first time there has been something suitable for his age group and he was able to lie down and bash at many hanging toys 😀

J finally gets to play!

For my 4.5yo and 6yo, they enjoyed running around but the other areas were more fun for us as a family as we could do everything together.

Our tips for visiting Questacon are to take your time at the beginning if your kids are a similar age to ours. The first two rooms were the most fun for us and, with hindsight, I would have spent more time in them. Being there around lunchtime was the best time. When we first arrived, there was barely anyone around. It seems like we were in between school groups (or they were taking a lunch break) and the families with kids that nap had left. After we came out of the 2pm show, there were lots of older kids and some school groups and this meant lines for some things. This wasn’t a big deal at all, but no lines were obviously better.

Questacon is definitely one of the   best places to visit in Canberra for kids. It cost $58 when we visited for one adult and two kids (with baby J free). More information on their site .

Lake Burley Griffin

The pond at Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin is one of the tourist spots in Canberra that you cannot miss – as it is an artificial lake right in the centre visible from many view points.

The lake is also one of the things to do at Canberra since it is lined with walking/running/cycling paths, there are many parks and gardens, and there’s the chance to do water activities on the lake. You can hire canoes or bikes or go on a cruise. There’s also the Australian of the Year Walk. It’s a great place to visit for outdoor activities in Canberra.

Many of Canberra’s famous places are around the lake including the National Museum of Australia, National Gallery and National Library. The Parliament Houses and Australian War Memorial are also very close. We found the lake an easy place to get some fresh air and have a run around while visiting attractions.

Australian Parliament House

The basics of this Canberra attraction need no introduction – you can visit the Australian Parliament House in Canberra.

It’s a unique building which you can see from many vantage points in Canberra and it does look very impressive on the drive up to the building. You can walk in the building, take a free guided tour, a paid in depth tour, view historic documents and see the Government in action. Tickets for question time in the House of Representatives does require a booking (the Senate does not) which you can ring ahead to book. You can check which days Parliament is in session here .

It is definitely worth a visit here to see the Government in action if you haven’t been before. However, since we were travelling with young kids and I have been before, we left it out this time thanks to all the other Canberra things to do and see. I definitely want to take my kids when they are old enough to stay quiet though!

Royal Australian Mint

The Royal Australian Mint is another of the worthwhile tourist attractions in Canberra. It home to a museum all about money production in Australia as well as the history of money in this country. You can also see the factory where our money is designed and produced (as well as that of some other countries in the Asia/Pacific area).

The museum is surprisingly interesting, well presented and informative. I especially found it interesting reading about the history of money production and what they used to do before Australia produced their own coins and the challenge it caused.

The kids loved that there were activities for them – both on touch screens, a drawing area (where they could design their own coins) and in the form of a “treasure hunt” – they had to answer questions as we went around. It was also cool to see things like a dome full of 24,999 one dollar coins!

At the end we were able to watch our own $1 coin get stamped with a special design for the Mint.

It’s not the biggest museum but I think if your kids get into the activities that you could easily spend a couple of hours here. The small size also means that you can read many of the exhibits while the kids draw and play as you can still see them.

Entry is free and there are also free tours. It costs $3 to make your own coin (which is worth $1). Find more information on their site .

Canberra Reptile Zoo

Feeding turtles at the Canberra Reptile Zoo

The Canberra Reptile Zoo is one of the super fun Canberra kids attractions. This place totally exceeded our expectations. In fact, I think calling it a zoo is a shame, as I imagined something impersonal whereas the biggest strength of the Canberra Reptile Zoo is definitely how personal it is.

There are over 50 types of reptiles and frogs on display. Many are well labeled with good information about the species. There are also many animals in displays where you can reach over and touch them. The best part, though, is the wonderful keeper who was there when we visited that held many animals for us to meet up close and personal and the opportunities for the kids to feed them. Her love for the animals was very apparent and transferred to the kids. It was great to experience.

The zoo is mostly indoors but there are also some outdoor displays as well as a playground which has play equipment plus some big dinosaur and lizard models. The kids loved sitting on them. All up, this park was a huge hit and I think my kids will be far less scared of reptiles in future.

It cost $38 for one adult and two kids when we visited which is a bargain. We arrived just after 10am (when they open) which the keeper said is a good time as the animals need feeding.

Canberra Walk-in Aviary

Confession: We didn’t go to this attraction as there is so much stuff to do in Canberra that we didn’t have time and since we had just been to a bird park in Phuket , we prioritised other things.

However, we did visit the outside and it looks like a lovely, decent sized aviary at 1000 square metres and nearly 600 birds. It’s across the road from the Reptile Zoo and very close to the Dinosaur Museum so it makes sense to visit these Canberra tourist spots together. You can watch and feed the birds.

You can find more information on their site .

National Zoo and Aquarium

One of the fun activities in Canberra is to visit the National Zoo and Aquarium. This well presented zoo and aquarium is smaller than the ones you will find in Melbourne and Sydney but still has a huge range of animals from penguins to tigers to zebras and all of the Australian favourites.

There are many, extra cost animal encounter experiences which can be booked. You can also stay in Jamala Wildlife Lodge which looks absolutely amazing – the rooms are magnificent with animals right outside the window! See here for more details, the gorgeous photos and latest prices . We wanted to stay here but unfortunately the minimum age is 6 (or 4 on special family weekends).

The layout can be a big confusing so make sure you grab a map.

You can find more information here . Tickets give you entry to both the aquarium and zoo and currently cost $110 for a family.

National Arboretum

Arboretum means a “place for trees” or “tree museum” and you will definitely find trees here. You will also find sweeping views over Canberra (check our view in video above), many different gardens and a very cool Canberra kids playground.

The main things that will interest families are all around the Village Centre. There is a car park here as well as a cafe and shop. The building is great in itself with floor to ceiling windows showing off the beautiful views.

Pods Playground

On each side of the visitor centre are things for kids to do in Canberra. I suggest starting by walking to the right and walking through the Bonsai collection. Our kids just loved it! Next is the Discovery Garden. Finally finish off with the Pod Playground on the other side of the Village Centre.

The Pod Playground is amazing – there are a few different play areas which probably won’t be like any your kids have visited before. The main attraction for older kids (5+ I would guess – Mr 4 was too scared to do much of it, Miss 6 did it all but was quite scared) is like acorns suspended in the air with ladders, roped sections and slides. S loved the challenge! I did read later it is designed for late primary school aged kids.

There are also climbing walls, a whole rope climbing section and some little pods best for toddlers with different play sections. All up it’s a great park and our pick of the Canberra parks for kids.

Entry is free but parking is $2 an hour. We visited early on a Saturday morning. Someone else at the park said that it gets crazy busy from 10am onwards on a weekend so try to visit early if you can! It currently opens at 6am in daylight savings or 7am otherwise.

Kambah Adventure Park

Perfect kids’ playground in Canberra

This big park is the perfect place in Canberra for kids to let off some steam!

This park in Canberra for kids is part of a much bigger green area in Kambah, a suburb of Canberra. There is a more normal style playground and then an area with scattered “adventure” activities including two long slides, two big flying foxes, a big rope climbing frame and climbing walls. It’s great and S just loved the opportunity to challenge herself.

The park is easy to find and is on the map below. I recommend it most for kids 6+.

Have a freak shake

Yummmm freak shake

If you are looking for yummy Canberra places to visit then head to Patissez – the home of freak shakes. If you haven’t had a freak shake yet (or one of its counterparts which now sell in other places) then you must give one a go.

If you haven’t heard of freak shakes before then you are in for a surprise! Or if you have but haven’t had one yet, it’s still surprising the first time you are served up the cross between a milkshake and a dessert.

Basically, a freak shake is a milkshake on steroids. It’s a milkshake with lots of other things added (and piled on top) like caramel, cake, cream, fairy floss, chocolate, pretty much anything they can think of. It makes for a great picture and a sickening treat. We found we only needed one between the four of us.

We had an apple pie inspired one. It was yummy but a bit disappointing after ones I have had in Melbourne actually as it was not nearly as extreme or as picturesque as the ones on their website. Still, it’s nice to have it from the source, so to speak, and we also had a very nice lunch here. They have the most amazing potato salad!

Find more information (as well as some freak shake examples) here .

Eating at The Hamlet

If you are looking for easy, kid friendly things to do in Canberra which involve food then head to the Hamlet. You will find a variety of food vans with a big food court area which is mostly outdoors and about half undercover.

The choice of food makes it a great choice with kids as you are sure to find something they like. We ate a mixture of Italian, Po’Boys and Greek desserts when we visited. What works well with kids as well is that it’s open early for dinner – on Saturdays (when we visited), it was open 12-9 which meant we didn’t have to feed the kids late to eat out here like most other options (although not all vans were open at this time).

There is a drinks van (called The Hutch – which is Josh’s nickname so he loved it), but it is also BYO.

More information here .

Other fun things to do in Canberra for kids

We visited Canberra for 4.5 days on our most recent trip and it was just not enough time for all the places to visit around Canberra. Here are some more fun places in Canberra which might suit your family…

• Australian Institute of Sport – You don’t have to be an elite athlete to visit the AIS. There are 90 minute tours which take you through the Institute as well as allowing you access to Sportex which is an interactive exhibit with the chance to try out many sports. More information here .
• CSIRO Discovery Centre – For another science things to visit in Canberra, you can visit the CSIRO Discovery Centre. It involves a self guided exhibit with stories of Australian research. There is also a 3D movie. Note that it isn’t open on weekends. More information here .
• National Gallery of Australia – The National Gallery has a Childrens Room with especially curated exhibitions to appeal to kids. Entry is free and you can see what is currently on here . There’s also regular activities scheduled for families especially in school holidays.

Quick taste of Canberra things to do with kids

Map of Canberra tourist attractions

This is a Canberra tourist map of all the fun places to go in Canberra mentioned in this article.

Where to stay in Canberra with kids

Alivo tourist park.

Inside our cabin at the Alivo Tourist Park Canberra

Part of what attracted us to Canberra was actually the good value accommodation and this is thanks to Alivo Tourist Park. It’s our pick of the best place to stay in Canberra with kids.

Alivo Tourist Park is located just four kilometres from the centre of Canberra. It feels like very far away though and is surrounded by bush. It’s a nice big site with lots of good facilities including a pool, sports grounds, laundry and restaurant. There are many cabin types and a camping ground.

We stayed in a Grevillea cabin which was one of the cheapest types but it was great for us. It had two bedrooms with beds for 5 and a portable crib cost only $10 extra for the stay. There was also a self contained kitchen, dining table and 4 chairs and a big couch. It was perfect for us and a total steal at $140 a night for our family of 5. My only complaint is that only 200MB of wifi is free a day. When is Australia going to catch up with the rest of the world with this!!

Click here to see the latest prices.

Albury Stopover at Boomerang Hotel

Part of our family studio at the Boomerang Hotel

If you are travelling up to Canberra from Melbourne, like us, then we recommend a stop at the halfway point in Albury. It was so much less painful on the way to Canberra when we broke up the journey than on the way home.

If you are looking for a great, budget hotel that works well for a family, try the Boomerang Hotel. We stayed here and we were very happy. For $118 we had a decent size family room with beds for 5 people plus a free included (and requested) cot. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s neat and clean and met our needs perfectly for our short stopover.

They also have a bar and bistro on site, an indoor pool and a laundry. If you are tired and want things easy, the bistro staff can bring meals to your room.

My only caution is that they call it a “family studio” so I imagined some type of kitchenette facility but it’s just a larger hotel room with extra beds.

More recommended places to stay in Canberra with kids

Some of the best places to stay in Canberra with kids are apartments. They offer additional space and amenities that are generally more suitable for families than hotel rooms. You can see our recommendations below.

• Forrest Hotel and Apartments Canberra – This hotel offers accommodation from standard rooms to 2 bedroom apartments making it suitable for both families and groups. Parliament house is within walking distance and the hotel even offers bicycle rental. Click here to see the latest prices .
• Novotel Canberra – A beautiful and modern hotel, families can choose from double rooms and 1 bedroom apartments. The hotel has a great pool and day spa, and whilst it’s kid friendly it is not really kid focused, making it great for older families. Click here to see the latest prices .
• Waldorf Apartments Hotel Canberra – Apartments are a great option for families staying in Canberra. The apartments have their own laundry facilities with a full sized kitchen. Many attractions are also within walking distance. Click here to see the latest prices .
• Quest Canberra – Quest Canberra also offers clean and modern apartments in Canberra from studios to 2 bedrooms. The apartments are also located close to loads of shopping and eateries. Click here to see the latest prices .

Getting around Canberra

There are buses in Canberra as well as a hop on, hop off sightseeing bus. However, to get around to a variety of sites you are going to want a car. I recommend you hire one or bring your own.

Our verdict

To say we had a fabulous time in Canberra would be a massive understatement. Canberra is the perfect destination with kids! There are so many places to see in Canberra and many must do attractions in Canberra. The best part is that the majority of them have amazing kid areas. And they are often free! And without many people!

There are so many fabulous Canberra things to do with kids that our kids didn’t even have a clear favourite. They kept raving about all of them. We only visited for 4.5 days but they were able to:

• Fly a Huey in Vietnam
• Touch a snake
• See moving dinosaurs
• Learn more about planets
• Pretend to be members of the House of Representatives
• Build robots and go back in time
• Learn about collisions from on stage
• Design new coins

And more. I don’t know anywhere else where they would get the opportunity to be exposed to so many different experiences in such a short time.

Thanks to cheap accommodation and all the free attractions, I would actually consider Canberra a budget destination (relative to the rest of Australia), so it wins on that front too!

We really had an awesome time here and can’t wait to return again. If you are someone who has been dismissing Canberra as a destination – STOP! Your kids will thank you for it 🙂

Have you been to Canberra? What were your favourite things for kids in Canberra?

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19 Hidden Gems of Canberra

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Visiting Canberra used to be rather humdrum and uninspiring.  But, Australia’s capital city is finally shaking off its boring reputation to become a destination in itself.  Canberra is a bustling cultural wonderland first and foremost.  Also, with a range of world-renowned exhibitions at Australia’s National Gallery, the fascinating and somber Australian War Memorial, and the interesting and historical Houses of Parliament visitors to the city are spoilt for choice.  Furthermore, a visit to the Australian Mint and the Institute of Sport will round out your usual tour of Canberra experiences.  However, as part of its emergence as a captivating city, there are some hidden gems of Canberra that you should definitely add to the normal itinerary.

Do you use Pinterest? If so, visit our Australia Pinterest board , (the link opens in a new tab so you won’t lose this page) it’s one of the biggest on the platform, go ahead, pin some cool Australian stuff!

My husband called Canberra home for many years and most of his family still live there so yes, we’ve been to Canberra often. If you have any further questions about Canberra just ask in the comments.

Canberra was only founded in 1913 after American architect Sir Walter Burley Griffin won a design contest for the city.  Australia needed a new capital, therefore the location was marked easily halfway between Sydney and Melbourne.  Sir Burley Griffin planned a garden-filled city with roads in concentric circles.  It is this enticing composition that makes the city so attractive today.

We do our best to keep everything up to date here at World Travel Family, but we can only give you a guide and personal opinion. Please check and double-check all information, opening times, and prices for yourself. Particularly in 2020, things are starting to get back to normal in Canberra but not everything will be fully open.

Hidden Gems of Canberra

Canberra is Australia’s capital city, the federal capital of The Commonwealth of Australia. It is in the ACT, this is a state of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory. t is in the southeast of Australia. Canberra is about 296 Km from Sydney and 662km from Melbourne, by road. The ACT and Canberra were created to be the federal seat between 1901 and 1913. Overseas visitors often name Sydney or Melbourne as the capital of Australia, this is incorrect. Our post is about hidden gems of Canberra, places to see, things to do and explore, in Australia’s capital city.

Canberra for Foodies

The edgy new urban precinct of NewActon houses some of Canberra’s best drinking and dining options as well as the funkiest hotel in the city.  Ovolo Nishi Hotel is an absolute work of art and a must stay if you are visiting Canberra, see below for details.  Try Parlour for exquisite cocktails, or Fekerte’s Ethiopian for something special for dinner.  Likewise, Canberra’s best coffee is found in NewAction, at Interlude Espresso Bar , or The Cupping Room .

Have lunch and enjoy every board game available at this entertaining bohemian bar/restaurant.  This is definitely one of those hidden gems of Canberra that is just unique. It will have you coming back for more. Guild is located at LG Baileys Corner, 150 London Circuit, Canberra and is open every day, 12 pm til late.

3 The Truffle Farm

The Truffle Farm can only open during truffle season from late May to early September.  Here you can participate in a truffle hunt, following the truffle dogs through the truffle trees!  There is an opportunity for tasting as part of the truffle hunt, and they also have sparkling brunch and degustation events at the farm. This is a unique way to experience one of the most sought after foods in the world. The Truffle Farm is located only 15 minutes from Canberra’s CBD.

4 Dave’s Brewery Tours

Craft Beer and Micro Brewery Tours of Canberra’s best-loved boutique labels will give you an exclusive perspective on the best drops in the city. For lively half-day and full-day tours of breweries, wineries, and distilleries around Canberra, check them out.

Canberra’s Hidden Hotel Gems

If you’d like to book an apartment or rental, the Australian site Stayz (the link will take you there, it’s like VRBO) is probably your best option, but for a nice hotel, with character, check out the Canberra hotels below.

5 Ovolo Nishi Hotel

The most artistic and luxurious hotel in Canberra is the Ovolo Nishi , formerly Hotel Hotel.  This fantastically designed concept hotel is located in the funky New Acton lakeside precinct.

6 Jamala Wildlife Lodge

This hotel is actually located inside the Canberra Zoo.  Their rooms offer up-close encounters with animals through the glass.  Choose to stay in the Giraffe Treehouse, the Reef Room which houses a giant aquarium, or one of the Jungle Bungalows.  These are shared with bears or big cats.  Your room has several large windows.  And you can view the animals so closely, as if they are right with you in your living room or bathroom!

If you’re looking for a very special (and not always very expensive!) home rental, try Plum, below.

The following are even more cool tours and activities available in Canberra, you can book them from these links.

Unusual Tourist Gems of Canberra

7 canberra glassworks.

The Canberra Glassworks offers make-your-own glass souvenir sessions at their Kingston studio.  These are one-on-one teaching sessions which go for either 20 or 40 minutes depending on what you want to make.  Participants must be over 14 years of age.  They also have a variety of creative workshops such as glass blowing and engraving for all levels of ability.  This is such an interesting and engaging way to learn more about the extraordinary craft of glasswork.

8 Telstra Tower

This tower is the communications hub for Australia’s biggest telephone company.  It also offers 360-degree views day or night over the city of Canberra from its commanding position atop Black Mountain.  The observation deck is open from 9 am to 10 pm every day and costs a reasonable $7.50 to enter.  There is also a coffee shop on site.

9 Cockington Green Gardens

Venture into a fantasy world at Cockington Green Gardens.  Meticulously handcrafted replicas of world-famous buildings contend for space in an enchanting garden.  There is also a miniature train which you can ride, picnic areas, a cafe and a playground.  A visit to the pleasingly offbeat Cockington Greens costs $21 per adult and $12.50 for a child.

Hidden Gems of Canberra for Science Buffs

10 questacon.

The great thing about the Questacon National Science and Technology Centre is that it is so hands-on and engaging.  Kids and adults alike will enjoy the 200+ interactive exhibits at one of Canberra’s best museums.  Adult tickets are  approximately $23 Au with kids $17.50 for a day of fun at Questacon.  Definitely a hidden gem of Canberra.

11 Deep Space Communication Complex

This Earth Centre was responsible for tracking the Apollo manned mission to the moon in 1965.  The visitor centre is located on the ground floor of the complex.  It contains a cafe, playground and gift shop along with fascinating space and aeronautical memorabilia.  The Space Centre is located 35 km southwest of Canberra and is open every day except Christmas from 9 am to 4 pm.  Entry is free.

Shopping Gems in Canberra

12 old bus depot markets.

This is a perfect day out for market enthusiasts.  Find unique and eclectic new, second-hand, reworked, vintage, or handcrafted items for sale.  Marvel at the industrial and atmospheric former bus station.  Find exactly what you need at these landmark markets and everything you don’t need.  Open every Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm here .

Adventure Gems of Canberra for Daredevils

13 jet flight simulator.

This amazing Canberra experience certainly is  one of the hidden gems of Canberra.  Aviation enthusiasts, kids and everyone in between will love the thrill of being in control of their very own Boeing-737.  Pilot the most popular passenger plane in the world.  The Jet Flight Simulator experiences start at around $99 Au.

14 Hot Air Ballooning

A gentle ride over Canberra in a hot air balloon is the perfect way to appreciate the design and architecture of the city.  Go ballooning all year round with award-winning balloon company Balloon Aloft.

15 Big Splash Waterpark

With 9 water slides, a splash pool, wet cinema and more to keep you entertained in summer, Splash Water Park is the place to be!  Entry to Canberra’s only water park is just $27  Au ( approximately – at time of writing ) and the slides are open from 11 am to 5 pm usually.  Subject to weather conditions. Interestingly, my husband used to be a lifeguard here in his younger days.

16 Corin Forest Mountain Retreat

Corin Forest is located only 45 minutes outside of Canberra.  Enjoy this modest ski field in season with snow play areas and a perfect beginners slope with a magic carpet lift.  During summer, Corin Forest is a haven for biking, camping and a fun alpine slide down the mountain.

17 Boundless –  Canberra’s Best Playground

Located on the shores of Lake Burleigh Griffin, Boundless is Canberra’s first all-abilities playground.  With climbing walls, a water park, sandpit and so many structures and slides to entertain, there is heaps of adventure to be found.  There are lots of things to do for all ages, with toilets, shade and a surrounding fence too.  Boundless is located here: Kings Park, Parkes ,  Canberra.  It is open from 8 am to 8 pm every day.

18 Bike Riding Around Lake Burley Griffin 

Cycling around the iconic centrepiece of Lake Burley Griffin is a beautiful way to see more of this gem that is Canberra.  Bring your own, or hire bicycles from Mr Spokes.  They can also advise on different circuits to take you around the lake.  The entire Bridge to Bridge circumnavigation is 28 km.  But it can be broken down into more manageable bite-sized paths for every ability.

19 Segway Tours of the Lake Foreshore

If biking is not your thing, why not join a segway tour?  Explore the beautiful shores of Canberra’s famous man-made Lake centrepiece with ease.  Seg Glide Ride offers tours starting from just $28.

Staycation Canberra

More of us than usual will be taking staycations this year and they’re a great chance to get to know Canberra a little better, pamper yourself, and fully enjoy everything the ACT has to offer. You won’t be spending thousands on international flights, so why not fully enjoy your staycation?

Pack in some of the adventures, sights, and activities above but also book a lovely hotel or apartment for the duration of your stay. For private apartments, Plum, AirBnb or Stayz can be a good choice.

Exploring the Hidden Gems of Canberra

Canberra and its hidden gems are probably best seen on a self-drive holiday of the Australian Capital Territory, the ACT.  A quick (3 hour drive approx) day trip from Sydney will allow you to visit the main attractions, but the city is worthy of a few days at least.  The Canberra International Airport is serviced by Singapore Airlines and Qatar.  Additionally, domestic flights will take you directly to major centres Australia-wide via Virgin Australia and Jetstar.

If you’re short on time there are numerous tours that start and finish in Sydney and include all of Canberra’s main highlights. It will be a long day but is another option for seeing as much as you can with limited time. There is a button to book one of these tours at the top of the page, at certain times of year these tours include Floriade, Canberra’s spring flower festival.

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Best Canberra 5 Day Itinerary You’ll Love

by Sharyn McCullum | Last updated Apr 9, 2024 | ACT | 54 comments

Is a visit to the capital of Australia Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory on your radar? Well you are in luck. I have been on a road trip to Canberra a few times during my life in Australia. I’ve been with my family on holiday when I was a kid, on a school trip to learn about Australia’s parliament and on quite a few weekend getaways from Sydney to Canberra. I love visiting Canberra as it is an interesting city, is easy to get around and has plenty to see and do. So if you are heading for a few days or a week in Canberra and need some inspiration as to the best things to see and do in Canberra, here is my best Canberra 5 day itinerary.

In this post I will cover everything you need to know for an enjoyable visit to Canberra ACT. From getting there, around, where to stay in Canberra and the best things to do in Canberra Australia. So if you are wanting to organise things to do in Canberra ACT for your trip, this post has you covered.

Table of Contents

A Brief History of Canberra

In the 1800s European explorers arrived in the Canberra area. It was in 1824 the first European settlers mostly claimed land and began farming it. The year 1901 saw the Australian colonies form the Commonwealth of Australia. At this time it was decided a new capital of Australia was needed. Both Sydney and Melbourne wanted the honour, but it was decided the new capital should be built in Canberra. Mainly because it was already settled and was good land for building a city. In 1908 a competition was held to find a designer to design the city. 1912 saw an American architect, Walter Burley Griffin (1876-1937) winning the competition and Canberra was begun.  

I acknowledge that for thousands of years the indigenous Ngunnawal people lived in the Canberra area. It’s believed the name ‘Canberra’ is derived from the indigenous meaning ‘meeting place’. This is very apt as it is the meeting place of all the politicians who represent Australia.

Where is Canberra?

Get great views over Canberra from Mount Ainslie lookout

First stop on this 5 day itinerary of Canberra is to the Mount Ainslie Lookout. This is a great place to start your visit to Canberra as you will be treated to a panoramic view over Canberra. Not matter the weather, the view is impressive and one of the best things to see in Canberra. I think starting your day at Mountain Ainslie will give you your bearings of where things are in Canberra and how big it is. You can see over Canberra with views of Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament House clear highlights. Even though I suggest visiting Mount Ainslie first, you can visit this lookout anytime. Some people take a picnic up there to watch the sunset over Canberra.

Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve is free to visit and can be accessed from Fairbairn Avenue. Just follow the drive that ascends to the summit of Mount Ainslie where you will find free parking. Some people like to walk to the top and there are a number of trails to get you there. The main trail to the top of Mount Ainslie starts in the Remembrance Nature Park behind the Australian War Memorial, which is our next stop on this 5 days in Canberra itinerary.

Australian War Memorial

After the great views over Canberra at Mount Ainslie head down the mountain to spend the rest of the day one in Canberra at The National War Museum. I suggest budgeting to stay the rest of the day here because it is very interesting with lots to see and to learn – well I think so, but I do love history!

Thanks to covid closures and now due to massive renovations happening at the war memorial visits are allocated in 2 hour slots. Now 2 hours isn’t enough to see all the exhibits so I suggest you book a 2 hour slot in the morning, then head to Poppy’s Restaurant for lunch, then book another 2 hour slot for the afternoon that leads to another booking for the last Post which happens every day at 4.30pm.

Currently the Australian War Memorial has knocked down the aircraft hall which it is rebuilding, bigger and better. There are a couple of planes on display. On entering the areas to visit at the Australian War Memorial include:

• Victoria Cross Area – See and read about all the soldiers who received the highest honour – the Victoria Cross.
• Explore the exhibits in the WWI room – learn about the different battles of WWI.
• Explore the exhibits in the WWII room – learn about the different battles of WWII.
• See the limited exhibits of current conflicts – this will be expanded once building works are completed.
• Walk along the honour roll in the commemorative garden and place a poppy.
• Throw a coin in the remembrance pool and visit the unknown soldier. Get great views of Parliament House from here in the distance.
• Eat at Poppy’s and enjoy a great meal such as my ‘Afghan Plate’.

See fighter planes

Place a Poppy along the Roll of Honour Wall

See the exhibits in the WWI room

Afghan Plate – my lunch at Poppy’s

The Australian War Memorial is one of my favourite places to visit in Canberra and it is one of the best free things to do in Canberra. I can spend hours here just walking around – and I have many times. You will find it at:

Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612 – follow the signs for car parking. It is open daily from with the Galleries open from 10 am to 4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day). If wanting to see the Last Post Ceremony entry is at 4.20pm with the Ceremony commencing at 4.45 pm.

Plan your visit and book your tickets to the Australian War Memorial here .

End your day with a good meal at a pub or restaurant close to your chosen accommodation.

Day 2 – Parliament House & Old Parliament House

Parliament house.

Start day 2 on this Canberra 5 day holiday at Parliament House. Parliament House is one of the must things to visit in Canberra, particularly when it is your firs time in Canberra. Sitting on Capitol Hill is new Parliament House and you cannot miss this building which is a symbolic piece of architecture. It was officially opened on 9 May 1988 by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Its principal structure is based on the shape of two boomerangs. These are topped with two axes. North-south and east-west and by an 81 metre high flagpole which is a lightning magnet if ever I saw one.

If you think the outside is impressive wait till you get inside. The building contains 4,700 rooms with many of them open to the public. Once you get through security, which is like going through airport security, you are free to explore large sections of the building. And can even watch parliament in action if the parliamentarians are sitting. This is one of the unique things to do Canberra, as you don’t get to do this every day!

The main foyer is impressive with its marble staircase and leads you straight to the Great Hall with a large tapestry on display. You can visit both the debating chambers of The House of Representatives, decorated green and The Senate Chamber which has a red colour scheme. Unless the politicians are sitting, you can go into the public galleries to watch the proceedings. There are also the paintings of all the Prime Ministers to see and other smaller exhibits and information as you walk around.

Parliament House on a fine day

After walking around Parliament House, take the lift up to the roof and walk on the lawns up there. And look up to the flagpole and out along the axes. You can get great views of the Australian War Memorial backed by Mount Ainslie. Maybe have a coffee or lunch in the Parliament House restaurant – you never know which politician you might see!

Parliament House is free to visit. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The length of time will vary as to how long you stay there and will depend on your interest. If visiting Canberra with kids, their interest may not be as high or low as yours! If you go on one of the free tours, they can take around 25-30 minutes and must be booked in advance . You can walk around yourself but you won’t learn the tidbits you might if you go on one of the free internal tours.

Museum of Australian Democracy – Old Parliament House

Next stop on day 2 of this 5 day visit to Canberra is to the Museum of Australian Democracy or Old Parliament House. It is about a 10 minute walk or so from Parliament House. This big white building was formerly known as the Provisional Parliament House. It was home to the Parliament of Australia from 1927 to 1988 and was built for parliament as an interim home while Parliament House was being built.

You can visit Old Parliament House which I highly recommend. Today, it houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. Basically you will find the history of Australian politics shown through interactive displays here. Not into politics? Sound boring! Well actually no. My kids actually really enjoyed visiting here as there were many interactive exhibits and dress ups!

Besides the political history, you can visit the different rooms inside the building including the House of Representatives and the Senate which are off the Kings Hall. Plus, there are meeting rooms, a press room and the Prime Minister’s Suite. You can also stand on the steps outside which is the scene of the famous speech by Gough Whitlam after he had been sacked as Prime Minister on 11 November 1975.

The Museum of Australian Democracy is free to visit. You can plan your visit here .

After a day of politics, end your day with dinner in a restaurant or pub close to your accommodation or in the city.

Entrance to AIS

Listen to the bells at the Carillon

Extend Your Stay in Canberra to 6 or 7 days

If 5 days in Canberra isn’t enough, extend it as there are plenty more things to see and do in Canberra and it’s surrounds. If you are looking to spend a week in Canberra or more, things to see and visit include:

• Cockington Green. This is a miniature village that both young and old enjoy. Everything is a miniature – the castles, the trains, the people, the soccer pitch, the cricket green and even Stonehenge.

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54 comments.

Now I feel bad. I was supposed to move to Canberra once upon a time, and I was constantly complaining about how boring Canberra supposedly was. And now my brother and his family live there, and one of my best friends lives there as well, so I when I come home to Australia, I need to make a trip to Canberra. Thanks for this post, you’ve put my ignorant self in my proper place.

You are welcome Katherine. I think the most boring of places have interesting things to see and do, you just need to find out what they are! Enjoy your visit to Canberra – there are also many great eateries and wineries to visit!

Very well written article! The miniature village looks really fun 🙂

I’m glad you liked the article. Yes, walking around Cockington Green miniature village is a really fun thing to do – for all ages.

Canberra looks great to visit and your itinerary sounds perfect!

I’m pleased you like the sound of the itinerary. I think 5 days is a great length of time to spend in the one city.

I haven’t been to Canberra since I was a young girl. I would so much love to stay at the Jamala Wildlife Lodge one day.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge is just a fantastic experience however, it is an expensive one. It is definitely worth putting it on your bucket list.

I missed Canberra when I was in Australia. I had no idea there was so much to do there. I will have to add it to my list for when I make it back!

Yes, you definitely should try to include Canberra on your next visit. You won’t regret it!

What a great itinerary. I had no idea there were so many different things to do in Canberra and would love to pay my respects at the war memorial and see the miniature village.

If you have the chance you should definitely pay your respects at the War Memorial and walk around the miniature village. Tie them in with visiting other places in Canberra too.

I’m living in Melbourne at the moment (from UK originally) and really hoping to get over to the east coast before our visas expire in October! Thanks for sharing this, we want to see the capital on our trip!

Definitely put Canberra on your list when you go travelling, it is well worth the visit. I hope you are enjoying Melbourne?

Canberra is one of our favourite destinations. We spend hours in the War Memorial and Australian Archives. We had a blast at the AIS, had a punt at the racetrack and dog track. We were there while the show was on. We sat in on the Upper House and Senate and loved the wine tour. So many things to do in Canberra.

Canberra is a great destination as there is so much to see and do. I’m glad it is one of your favourite destinations. I’ve never been to the racetrack – I will try next visit.

We always make sure to get down to Canberra to see any major exhibitions at the National Gallery. Nothing like a good excuse to make the trip. We were lucky to see the Matisse & Picasso exhibition a few days before it closed due to Covid-19. There was also an exhibition of Hugh Ramsey’s portraits, someone I hadn’t heard of previously. Another place to include on your list for adults and kids is the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla, about 35 kms southwest of the city.

Yes the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex at Tidbinbilla is a great place to visit – unfortunately I ran out of days on my 5-day itinerary. Next visit!

Thanks for sharing about Canberra! That Culture Loop Shuttle Bus looks like a great way to see some of the interesting places!

The Culture Loop Shuttle Bus is very handy when you don’t have your own transport. It takes you to all the best places to see in Canberra.

I would definitely visit the miniature village. It reminds me of Cullen Gardens in Toronto, Canada.

The miniature village is quite spectacular. I enjoyed my visit. The Toronto one sounds interesting.

I have never been to Australia. If I plan a trip to Australia, I will definitely include Canberra in my itinerary Thanks for the useful tips.

I hope you can get to Australia and include Canberra in your travel plans. The place is quite impressive.

I haven’t made it to Australia yet. If I plan a trip – will definitely include Canberra in my itinerary Thanks for the useful tips

Canberra being the capital of Australia is very interesting. The buildings, particularly our Parliament House is very impressive. Canberra is only 3-4 hours from Sydney so is very doable.

Canberra appears very laid-back. I would love to visit Mount Ainslie and taking in the panoramic view of Canberra. This place is a hotspot for photographers with plenty of fun to offer.

Canberra can be laid back and yes, the views from Mount Ainslie are fabulous – just go on a clear sunny day for the best views.

Great recommendations.. I would love to visit this part of Australia someday..

I hope you can too. You won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for the write up! Canberra is the only state/territory in Australia I haven’t visited, and to be honest I knew very little about it until now!

I hope you get to Canberra then one day – it is worth the effort.

I like the idea of starting a visit with a stop at Mount Ainslie Lookout to see the area. The lookout would help me get my bearings and I’d get to enjoy a terrific view.

Visiting Mount Ainslie Lookout first gives you a great outlook over Canberra so you can get your bearings. I hope you get to do that!

I feel bad I lived in Australia for 2,5 years and never visited the capital. No idea why but as far as I can see now there is a lot to explore. Close to the mountains, close to the ocean …

There is plenty to explore in and around Canberra – I hope you get back there one day!

I didn’t manage to visit Canberra during my Australia trip but I will definitely be saving for when I return! Thanks for a great itinerary!

That’s a shame – hopefully next trip.

That is such a helpful itinerary. I had no idea that Canberra had so many different things to do.

Thank you. I’m glad you think it a helpful guide and yes, it is surprising the amount of things to see and do at Canberra.

I feel Canberra is often overlooked by people traveling to Australia, but it looks like there’s so much to do! This sounds like the perfect itinerary for 5 days there 🙂

It is overlooked because people only think it has politicians – and not everyone likes politicians! But there are plenty of other things to see and do at Canberra.

Ahh this brought back great memories of a student trip I took there. Loved the Parliament Houses!

Yes, many of us go to Canberra to learn about our nations parliament on a school excursion. I think we went for 3-4 days!

We have got to get to Australia soon!

I hope you do, you will enjoy it!

We are only going to have two days in Canberra this winter (I guess it’s summer for you!). Which museum would you say is THE must-visit?

There are plenty of them. I am not always big on museums myself but I found the National Museum quite interesting. Also Questacon.

Such a useful guide, I haven’t been to Canberra since I was a kid but definitely want to go back one day

I think many of us go when we are kids and don’t think to go back for a holiday. I hope you get back there one day!

I’ve never visited Australia and before reading your post Canberra wasn’t even on my radar! But it seems so interesting, and now I would definitely consider a stop there during a future trip to Australia! Thanks for the info!

Oh good. I think you would find Canberra interesting. I hope you get there.

If I ever get to Australia, Canberra is on my list. Mount Ainslie and the miniature village look fun!

Canberra is often overlooked as not being as exciting as say Sydney, but it is a very interesting city. Just like I would go to Washington to see Capital Hill. I hope you do get to Canberra one day.

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G’Day! Sharyn here, an Aussie loving discovering Australia. Let me show you around so you can discover Australia too.  Read my story here.

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The Ultimate Canberra 1-Day Itinerary

Canberra is known as Australia’s capital . As the only Australian capital city that’s not located on the coast, Canberra is an inland city surrounded by lush green nature reserves and beautiful farmland. Because of this, Canberra is also affectionately nicknamed ‘ The Bush Capital ‘.

However, don’t let the name fool you.

Although Canberra is surrounded by nature reserves and dotted with peaceful parklands, Canberra is a lively city brimming with top-notch museums, arty galleries, quirky cafes, and buzzing nightlife . It is undoubtedly one of the most underrated capital cities.

Although it can take a few days to visit all the interesting attractions in Canberra, especially if you love to visit museums and galleries, you can certainly visit Canberra’s most important landmarks all within one day .

In this article, I have compiled a detailed & packed itinerary for visiting all the highlights of Canberra in only one day. I hope you find it helpful in your trip planning.

Lake Burley Griffin

Since most places in Canberra open at 9 am or 10 am, to make the most out of this one day in Canberra, we will join the locals and take a morning stroll along Lake Burley Griffin before all other attractions open their doors.

Lake Burley Griffin is a beautiful artificial lake in the heart of Canberra. Its 40-kilometre shoreline is tastefully lined with green grassy parks and well-maintained walkways, making Lake Burley Griffin a prime spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a peaceful stroll or exercise .

Water sports like kayaking are very popular in Lake Burley Griffin. If interested, you can also join a 1-hour Lake Burley Griffin Cruise to appreciate the beauty of Lake Burley Griffin from a different perspective & get acquainted with all the important landmarks around the lake.

If you are only considering taking a stroll along Lake Burley Griffin, start from Canberra Nara Peace Park & walk towards the Parliament Triangle . In this way, you can enjoy a tranquil park before walking along the tree-lined lakeside walkway & arriving at the International Flag Display.

International Flag Display

International Flag Display is a total of 110 flags lined up along the lakefront of Lake Burley Griffin, between Peace Park and the High Court of Australia . These 110 flags represent the 108 missions with a diplomatic presence in Canberra, plus a flag each for the United Nations and the European Union.

The beautiful colours of the International Flag Display are a colourful addition to the beautiful lakefront promenade and make great photo opportunities too. It is also a fun spot to test your knowledge of flags, with plaques under each flagpole specifying which country they belong to.

The Little Burley Market

If you visit Canberra on a Saturday, you can find the buzzing Little Burley Market near Commonwealth Place & right under the International Flag Display.

The Little Burley Market is an artisanal food market along the lakefront promenade near Commonwealth Place. It is held on Saturdays between 9 am and 1.30 pm .

Within The Little Burley Market, you can find various gourmet foods originating from different countries, such as Argentina, Turkey, Italy, Bhutan, Vietnam, and France. You can find anything from pastries, desserts, coffees, smoked meats, fresh produce, and liquor to pet supplies, garden needs, handmade jewellery, and clothing items.

It is an excellent place to grab brunch and enjoy it along the beautiful lake .

Parliament House

Being the political centre of Australia, Canberra is the home of a range of national institutes. Among them, the Parliament House is one not to be missed when visiting Canberra.

The Parliament House is located on top of Capital Hill. It opens from 9 am to 5 pm every day, except on Christmas Day . Entry to Parliament House is free , but all visitors must go through a security check upon entering the building (very reasonable, considering its political importance).

Within the Parliament House, you can check out various places with names you would have heard countless times before, such as the House of Representatives Chamber, the Senate Chamber, the Members’ Hall, the Marble Foyer, and the Great Hall .

Even if you are not taking any guided tours of the Parliament House, there are still many information boards around the building to help you understand this building, its history, and how the Parliament of Australia works.

Towards the end of your visit, make sure you also check out the Queen’s Terrace Cafe for a coffee break with a stunning terrace view of Canberra.

If you are visiting by car, underground car parks are available at the Parliament House, with the first hour of parking for free. There were a lot of empty spots when I was there, but if you can’t find any car parks at the Parliament House, there are plenty more parking spaces in the nearby John Gordon Building Parking Lot , which is ticket parking between 8.30 am and 5 pm on weekdays.

Old Parliament House

After checking out the Parliament House, make sure you also check out the Old Parliament House, just down the road, to compare the difference & explore more behind the scene details.

The Old Parliament House was the seat of the Parliament of Australia for 61 years before it moved to its current site on Capital Hill in 1988 . The Old Parliament House is a beautiful colonial building compared to the modern design of the current Parliament House.

Since the relocation of the Parliament, the Old Parliament House has since been transformed into and renamed the Museum of Australian Democracy , dedicated to interpreting, conserving and presenting the spirit and stories of Australian democracy.

The Old Parliament House is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Christmas Day). Like many national museums and galleries in Canberra, entry to the Old Parliament House is free . You can also use the free guided tours to explore this building complex, but booking is suggested.

Within the Old Parliament House, you can not only check out the old House of Representatives Chamber and Senate Chamber but also check out places such as the Prime Minister’s Suite, Cabinet Room, Speaker of House of Representatives Suite, President of the Senate’s Suite, and the Broadcasting Room . These are all the places you would not have had the chance to explore in the current Parliament House.

Even for someone like me, who is not at all interested in politics, it was a really fun experience checking out all these offices where the then politicians used.

In addition, there are also various exhibitions, such as the Howard Library Exhibition, Democracy Exhibition, and The Year in Politics Cartoons within the Old Parliament.

There is a cute cafe in the courtyard of the Old Parliament House, which you can check out too.

There are also beautiful gardens around the Old Parliament House, which were once upon a time only opened for the Members and Senators of the Parliament. Nowadays, everyone can check them out free of charge.

Aboriginal Tent Embassy

On the front lawn of the Old Parliament House, you will find a group of tents, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy .

I did not know much about it before visiting Canberra. When I first saw it, I thought they were just regular tents for some commercial event. I only realised its historical significance when I looked into its history.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is a permanent protest on Indigenous rights and recognition . It started in 1972. and was made a permanent establishment in 1992. As a unique cultural, political, and historical establishment, it is one of the spots you should not miss when in Canberra.

National Gallery of Australia

Canberra is filled with fascinating museums and galleries. There are so many of them that it will take you days to go through them all. Of all these museums and galleries, you should at least check out the National Gallery of Australia during this one-day itinerary.

The National Gallery of Australia houses an extensive collection of artworks from more than 15,000 artists worldwide . These artworks include paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics, and costumes , with masterpieces from renowned artists such as Monet and Sydney Nolan .

The National Gallery of Australia is also home to the world’s most extensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection . This has undoubtedly made the National Gallery of Australia an irreplaceable national treasure.

Like many other national museums and galleries in Canberra, visiting the National Gallery of Australia is free . However, a ticket may be required for certain special exhibits, which you will need to check out and book online ahead of time.

That said, a walk through the impressive free collections in the National Gallery of Australia will take at least a couple of hours . That is on the basis that you will not look into each artwork in detail. So, for the sake of this packed itinerary, you will unlikely have sufficient time for a paid exhibit.

National Portrait Gallery

Only a short walk from the National Gallery of Australia, you will find the National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery houses a vast collection of portraiture in varying mediums . Here, you can find a fascinating mix of portraits in painting, drawing, photographs, sculptures, puppets, ceramics, and videos. They are portraits of people from all walks of life and around the world.

It was an interesting visit and worth spending at least an hour for.

Entry to National Portrait Gallery is free . There is also a small gift shop and a cafe on-site if you need to purchase a souvenir or something to eat.

Australian War Memorial

A visit to Canberra is incomplete without visiting the Australian War Memorial.

Standing tall at the northern end of the ANZAC Parade, directly facing the Parliament House from across the lake, the Australian War Memorial is one of Canberra’s most prominent and famous landmarks .

The Australian War Memorial was opened in 1941 to commemorate the men and women who served in any war and conflicts that Australia has participated in. It is also a sobering reminder of the people who made the ultimate sacrifice through the archives and artefacts from these wars and conflicts.

Even if you are not a big fan of war history, the impressive Pool of Reflection, Hall of Memory, and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldiers are all worth visiting on their own merits.

Most visiting sessions are over two hours , except for the late afternoon sessions. From 4 pm onwards, the memorial will gradually close its galleries in preparation for its daily Last Post Ceremony at 4.45 pm.

If you plan to check out all the galleries in-depth, you will undoubtedly need a good two hours to check out the Australian War Memorial. If you are not into war history and only want to check out the Pool of Reflection, Hall of Memory, and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldiers, one hour can be all you need for this visit.

Another option for visiting the Australian War Memorial is to attend the Last Post Ceremony . The Last Post Ceremony is an emotional commemorative ceremony held in front of the Pool of Reflection and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldiers. It starts every day at 4.45 pm & booking is also highly recommended to secure a spot.

Free 4-hour underground parking is available at the Australian War Memorial if you visit the memorial by car. When approaching the memorial via ANZAC Parade, you will need to turn right onto Fairborn Avenue & then take the first exit on your left.

Mount Ainslie Lookout

After you visit the Australian War Memorial, make sure you also check out Mount Ainslie Lookout in the nature reserve just behind the memorial.

Mount Ainslie Lookout is located on Mount Ainslie Summit. With an elevation of 846 metres and located just behind the Australian War Memorial, Mount Ainslie Lookout provides a spectacular panoramic view of Canberra and its surrounding mountain ranges.

On a clear day, you will have the Australian War Memorial, ANZAC Parade, Old Parliament House, and the new Parliament House lined up right in front of your eyes from Mount Ainslie Lookout . It is undoubtedly the best lookout in Canberra & makes the perfect spot to watch sunset over the beautiful Canberra city.

You can easily drive up to Mount Ainslie Lookout from the Australian War Memorial in under 10 minutes. There are also plenty of parking spots around the lookout for your convenience.

Alternatively, you can follow the walking tracks from the back of the Australian War Memorial and walk up to the remarkable Mount Ainslie Lookout. Since I have not done this hike myself, I can not comment on how long this hike will take & how difficult it is. However, from what I observed, most people were there by driving instead of hiking.

Also, there are no toilets at Mount Ainslie Lookout. So make sure you have used the toilets at the memorial before heading up here.

More Than One Day in Canberra

There is so much to see and do in Canberra. If you have more time to spare, I truly wish you could spend at least a few days here in Canberra.

Here is my list of places to check out if you have more than one day in Canberra.

National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is a huge museum located on the Acton Peninsula, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

The National Museum of Australia has a vast collection focusing on Indigenous arts and culture, Australian rocks and minerals, Australia’s ecosystem and climate, Australia’s native animals and marine life, and famous Australian landmarks . This has made the National Museum of Australia one of the best places to learn about Australia.

Entry to the National Museum of Australia is free . The museum opens from 9 am to 5 pm daily & is closed on Christmas Day. A cafe and a gift shop are available within the museum. There is also a great outdoor area revolving around a small pool within the museum for visitors to chill and relax.

A decent-sized car park is available on-site at the National Museum of Australia. From what I remember, it is ticket-parking on weekdays between 8.30 am and 5 pm.

Royal Australian Mint

Royal Australian Mint is where all the circulating Australian coins are manufactured . To educate the public, it also offers a free museum for visitors to learn the process of coin making and how coins were first introduced in Australia.

In addition to joining the free guided tour and checking out all the rare coin collections, visitors can also mint their own coins at the minting machines. Unique souvenirs can be purchased from the gift shop on-site as well.

Pay attention to the staircase leading to the upper floor when you are here. All the stairs are filled with shiny silver coins!

Free 2-hour parking is available at the Royal Australian Mint, which is generally sufficient for joining the free guided tour and checking out its exciting collections.

If you are visiting Canberra with kids, check out the National Science and Technology Centre, a.k.a. Questacon.

Questacon is an interactive science and technology museum designed for kids . It is an excellent place for kids to learn while having tons of fun.

Unlike all the other museums and galleries mentioned here, entering Questacon requires a ticket, which can be purchased online before your visit, to secure a preferred entry time.

Ticket to Questacon is AUD 24.50 per adult & AUD 18.90 per child aged 4-16 . Family tickets are available too.

National Arboretum Canberra

The National Arboretum Canberra is a massive arboretum spanning over 250 hectares. It is filled with a mosaic of living forests and offers a breathtaking view of Canberra , especially at sunset.

Various walking tracks allow visitors to explore its nearly 100 species of trees within the National Arboretum Canberra. Depending on the season, you will be presented with a different colour combo, thanks to the thoughtful tree selection process.

A cafe and well-equipped playgrounds are available in its Village Centre. You can also find a Bonsai and Penjing Collection here, which can be very interesting to check out.

Check out the Himalayan Cedar Lookout for a wonderful view of the arboretum and Canberra. It makes an excellent spot to watch the sunset.

The National Arboretum Canberra is free to visit. But you will need to pay for parking at the Village Centre, where the gift shop, cafe, playground, and Bonsai Collection are. Parking at the Himalayan Cedar Lookout is free but very limited.

Where to Stay In Canberra

Although Canberra offers a large number of holiday accommodations , It can be hard to find those dirt-cheap accommodations, especially if you are looking for a cheap hostel stay. Most accommodations are standard double rooms or serviced apartments, priced between AUD 100 to AUD 250.

In terms of the location, since most of the trendy restaurants and bars are clustered around Braddon and Dickson , it can be an excellent idea to stay near or between these two areas for convenience.

Where to Eat in Canberra

Canberra is brimming with trendy cafes and bars. You will never have trouble finding good food and drinks in Canberra. Even the little cafes you see in some of the museums and galleries in Canberra can offer some lovely meals.

For breakfast , depending on where you stayed overnight, you can check out one of the trendy cafes along Kingston foreshore, in Braddon, or Dickson .

If you follow this packed itinerary to visit Canberra in only one day, you can save time by enjoying a light lunch at one of the museums or galleries you visit.

For dinner and your late-night drinks , you can find some great restaurants and bars around Braddon and Canberra Central .

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Bec's Travel Itinerary

I'm passionate about travel. I would like to use this platform to share my travel experiences. Please support me by subscribing to this blog. You can also find more travel related contents on my YouTube channel and Instagram. Thank you :)

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