Top Things to do in Canberra
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What to do and see in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
You can fit a lot into a visit to Australia’s capital city. Surrounded by nature parks, Canberra is best known for a vast collection of history and culture that provides a snapshot of the nation. Discover precincts housing, thriving local arts and foodie scenes, family friendly attractions, outdoor experiences and the acclaimed cool-climate wineries that dot the surrounding area.
Restaurants in Canberra
1. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 307 reviews
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is nestled at the base of the Tidbinbilla Range, and is only a 40 minute drive south-west of Canberra’s city centre. Located within the reserve is a Sanctuary of five ponds and weirs abundant with wildlife including platypus. There is an over 80% chance of seeing these rare and usually elusive animals! Other native animals you may encounter include koalas, emus, kangaroos and many bird and reptile species. Tidbinbilla is also a leader in conservation with a breeding program focusing on the Northern Corroboree Frog, Southern Brush-Tailed Rock-Wallaby and the Eastern Bettong. Tidbinbilla has a rich cultural landscape dating back over 25 000 years and is the traditional Country of the Ngunnawal people. The Tidbinbilla Valley also reflects the European history of the area with historic homesteads and evidence of farming scattered throughout the reserve. Unique accommodation is available at one of the historic homesteads, Nils Desperandum.
Reviewed By gregoryd762
This place has been on our radar for years, but this was our first opportunity to visit. Good visitor center, excellent maps of walks and attractions. We spent over 2 hours walking around the Sanctuary-absolutely beautiful, with lots of widlife - and also walked up to Hanging Rock and the Rock Valley homestead ruins. So many great walks to do- we will definitely come back on future trips to Canberra homestead ruins
2. Australian War Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10,093 reviews
The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society. The Memorial offers a range of guided tours, including a 1 hour highlights audio tour.
Reviewed By katherinerQ2707XT - Bodalla, Australia
at present to visit you have to book times and locations , you wish to visit, 1 hour spent at Anzac Hall where there are 3 small video presentations which are highly informative as well as the displays , the galleries and commemorative area you are able to view for two hour periods and also access to gift shop , and you can also book for the last post ceremony which is always poignant , there is no cost to visit or for booking and you can still make donations electronically at the entrance to gallery area . cafe inside Anzac hall is closed at present , poppies which is located outside near underground car park is still operating
3. Capital Wines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 33 reviews
Capital Wines is a boutique Canberra District winery owned by the Mason and Andrews families. Our cellar door is open in the quaint village of Hall - just 10 minutes from the centre of Belconnen. Visit Capital Wines Cellar Door to taste our wines, share a cheese plate or experience epicurean tastings of matched wine and food. Our friendly staff are pleased to conduct wine tastings and welcome you to experience some of our award wining wines. We are open from Thursday-Monday 11:00-4pm.
Reviewed By Alphaandbeta - Yeppoon, Australia
We called into Capital wines for a tasting of absolutely sensational wines. We stayed on to have delicious soup and were so impressed we booked for the following weekend - Epicurean lunch. Do yourself a favour and enjoy your local wines and food at Capital wines!!
4. Lake Burley Griffin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,905 reviews
Reviewed By mykej - Jakarta, Indonesia
The lake is the heart of Canberra and whether you are into fitness -hire a bike walk run- or relaxing it has somuch to offer. Sit at regatta point on the hill and take it all in while the captain cook fountain erupts or go to the yacht club on south shore for a drink and food. walk over and around the bridges is a beautiful walk. Its all good. just dont go swimming in winter.
5. National Gallery of Australia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,314 reviews
The NGA is home to Australia's national collection of visual arts. The national collection includes 170,000 iconic and highly celebrated works of art spanning four main areas: Australian art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art, and European and American art.
Reviewed By H5458EUbrianm - Oxford, United Kingdom
This is a very good museum with a splendid collection of aboriginal arts. There is also a good selection of international artists such as Jackson Pollock, Bridget Riley (three pictures) , Andy Warhol, Roy Liechtenstein and Gorges Seurat amongst others. One of the two Pollocks is reputed to his masterpiece. However, the museum suffers from not having at least some pictures by great modern artists such as Francis Bacon, and Pablo Picasso Nonetheless, it doe have a great collection of ceramics.as well as Aboriginal pictures. There is a cafeteria and a shop.
6. Australian National Botanic Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 730 reviews
The national collection of Australian native plants; inspiring, informing and connecting people with the Australian flora.
Reviewed By joniquelife - Australia, null
This is quite a big gardens spread out over a large area with a multitude of habitats from the rainforest to the desert and everything in between. There is an awesome rainforest walk down below ground level with misters to add that extra rainforest feel and also a tree house that you can climb... winning ???? We love visiting botanic gardens all around Australia and comparing them, this one would definitely be top 3 so far You need to pay for parking here ( $3.50 per hour) or park further away and walk! “Jonique Life” Follow our journey around Australia on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as we highlight wonderful experiences and magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.
7. National Museum of Australia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,008 reviews
Discover where Australia’s stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia. Located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the Museum’s stunning architecture offers visitors an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people.
Reviewed By PantaOz - Wuxi, China
Great place to learn about the history of this great country, and especially the Australian Aboriginal culture and people. We had fun... family of two adults and two kids can stay there all day, especially at the kids' interactive part where most of the Canberra schools take their youngsters. Exhibitions: great., service: great... shopping: great... atmosphere: great... price: great - it is free entry! If you need a taxi later, the desk will kindly ring for you. Smiles everywhere!
8. Australian Parliament House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,803 reviews
The home of Australia's Parliament and the meeting place of a nation, Australian Parliament House offers visitors to Canberra a unique experience. Visit Parliament House and experience Australia's robust democracy in action. You can watch Question Time, see bills being debated, and sit in on committee inquiries as current issues are explored in detail. You'll also find some of Australia's finest historical treasures and contemporary art on display throughout the building, and in our permanent and temporary exhibitions. You’re welcome at the meeting place of our nation. Parliament House is open every day except Christmas Day. Non-sitting days 9am-5pm Sitting days Mon-Tue 9am-6pm, Wed-Thu 8.30am-6pm
Reviewed By mancinellifamily - Wood Wood, Australia
A great clean city with lots of free activities, Parliament House was a definite must see and the rest of Canberra is just beautiful in Autumn leaves, fantastic gardens, perfect weather
9. Questacon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,060 reviews
With over 200 educational and interactive exhibits, Questacon seeks to make science fun for all.
Reviewed By TeaGeeCee - Seven Hills, Australia
The mini Q gallery is fantastic with active and pretend play that is key for supporting development in 0-6 year olds and it was so engaging and the staff were fantastic. We all had a blast there’s something for everybody!
10. Namadgi National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 136 reviews
Welcome to Namadgi National Park. Named after the Aboriginal word for the mountain ranges in the south-west of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Namadgi National Park was declared in 1984. The park covers over 106,095 hectares of the ACT and contains more than 160 kilometres of marked walking trails. In Namadgi National Park you can experience Aboriginal and European history, beautiful camping sites, an abundance of native wildlife and many bushwalking trails through a range of unique natural environments. Namadgi National Park is also the beginning of the Australian Alps Walking track which starts at the Namadgi Visitor Centre and makes its way through the Australian Alps. The track ends at Walhalla in Victoria after a total of 655 kilometres. Namadgi is also a great place to enjoy a day out with the family, pack a picnic or BBQ and get out in nature.
Reviewed By FamilyTraveller2627 - Jindabyne, Australia
Dropped in at the visitors centre whilst driving through on the Boboyan Rd. Nice facilities, bbqs, shady, picnic area with view. Clean toilets, friendly staff and interesting and well put together Information displays.
