Canberra Travel Guide

Plan your trip to Canberra with our comprehensive travel guide including top attractions, best things to do, and where to stay.


Introduction to Canberra

Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), surrounded by bushland and countryside. The city is famous for its cultural institutions, well-manicured parks, and lakes. Canberra offers international visitors an introduction to Australian politics and history with easy access to important national institutions.

List of Places to Visit in Canberra

Canberra is full of unique attractions worth exploring. Visitors won’t want to miss the following highlights:

Culturally Important Attractions: Museums and Historical Places

  • Australian War Memorial: a museum and monument dedicated to Australians who served and died in war
  • National Gallery of Australia: a national art museum featuring Australian and international art
  • National Museum of Australia: Australia’s largest cultural institution showcasing Australian history and culture
  • Parliament House: the home of Australian politics and government
  • Australian National Botanic Gardens: an oasis of native Australian plants and flowers

Natural Attractions of Canberra: Outdoor Adventures and Scenic Views

  • Mount Ainslie Lookout: a beautiful lookout with panoramic views of Canberra
  • Lake Burley Griffin: a lake in central Canberra offering recreational activities like sailing, kayaking, and cycling
  • Namadgi National Park: a park filled with forests, granite mountains, and valleys
  • Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve: located 40 minutes from Canberra and offering natural wonders such as waterfalls, forests, and wildlife

Hiking/Biking Routes of Canberra

Canberra has many hiking and biking routes that showcase nature and wildlife. Some of the best ones are:

  • Centenary Trail: a 145km trek around Canberra that can be done in sections
  • Mount Majura Nature Reserve Trail: a 6.5km hiking trail with stunning views of the city
  • Molonglo River Corridor Trail: a 20km trail through open countryside, forest, and wetlands

Best Things to Do in Canberra: Activities and Tours

Visitors can have a great time while in Canberra by trying some of the following activities:

  • Hot Air Balloon Flight: Rise over the Canberra skyline and the Australian bushland
  • Segway Tour: Enjoy a guided tours of the lakes of the city as you experience the sheer joy of riding a Segway in a tranquil setting
  • Canberra Craft Beer & Cider: Take a tour to discover the artisanal beer, cider and spirits of Canberra
  • Questacon - Science and Technology Center: a family-friendly interactive museum where science melds with technology

Week-Long Itinerary for Canberra

A week-long itinerary for Canberra can include:

Day Activity
1 Visit the Parliament House
2 Brindabella National Park day tour
3 National Australian Museum
4 Go to the Australian Zoo
5 Relax by Lake Burley Griffin
6 Explore Namadgi National Park
7 Rise high with Hot Air Balloon Flight

Food and Drink Scene of Canberra

Canberra is known for its modern Australian cuisine, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Some of the must-try dishes include:

Must-Try Dishes

  • Grilled Sirloin from Pialligo Estate’s Farmhouse Restaurant
  • Slow-Cooked Pork Belly from Otis Dining and Drawing Room
  • Seafood Paella from The Boat House
  • Poached Eggs from The Cupping Room

Local Beverages

Canberra is home to an outstanding wine industry, including some of the best wineries in Australia. Must-try local beverages are:

  • Shiraz from Clonakilla Winery
  • Riesling from Mount Majura Vineyard
  • Chardonnay from Four Winds Vineyard
  • Beer from BentSpoke Brewing Co.

Where to Stay in Canberra: Hotels, Hostels, and Guesthouses

Canberra offers an extensive range of accommodation options that cater to different budgets and expectations. The best options include:

  • Hyatt Hotel Canberra: a renowned historic hotel with luxurious rooms located within walking distance to many attractions
  • Little National Hotel: a trendy hotel with affordable accommodation for solo travellers or couples
  • YHA: a well-equipped hostel located in the city centre
  • Jamala Wildlife Lodge: a unique place to enjoy a luxurious stay and get exquisite cuisines while spending a night near wild animals.

What to Buy in Canberra: Souvenirs and Local Products to Bring Home

Canberra has a wide variety of souvenir shops and boutiques, selling local arts, crafts, wines, and foods. Some of the unique items to take home include:

  • Handcrafted ceramics from Bison Home
  • Tasmanian Leatherwood honey from The Honey Pot
  • Olive oil from Pialligo Estate
  • Cool Climate wine from Mount Majura Vineyard

Local Culture and Customs of Canberra

Canberra is a rather young city, so it doesn’t have rich indigenous history or customs. However, the city celebrates various festivals, and events that attract tourists worldwide. Floriade, held annually in September and October, is Australia’s biggest flower festival, while Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Enlighten, and the Canberra Folk Festival all celebrate the excitement of community involvement.

Best Time to Visit Canberra

The best time to visit Canberra is from March to May (autumn) and from September to November (spring). The weather is mild to warm, and the blooming flowers and hues of autumn make Canberra a beautiful place to visit. In these seasons, the visitors also get to enjoy a plethora of events and festivals held in the city.

Do’s and Don’ts of Canberra

Do:

  • Do visit Canberra’s cultural institutions and museums
  • Do try handcrafted wines and local cuisine
  • Do take scenic drives around Canberra’s bushland
  • Do participate in the festivals and events held in Canberra

Don’t:

  • Don’t underestimate the weather. Canberra can be cold in the winter, so bring warm clothes
  • Don’t ignore road rules and always wear a bicycle helmet when cycling
  • Don’t ignore the signs warning for the presence of snakes and spiders

Safety and Health

Safety in Canberra

Canberra has a low crime rate and is generally a safe city to visit. Like every other city, visitors should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, especially at night.

Health in Canberra

Canberra offers high-quality healthcare services that are recognized internationally. Visitors should take necessary precautions to guard against snake and insect bites while enjoying the Australian bushland.

Getting to Canberra: Transportation Options and Logistics

Airports Near Canberra

Canberra International Airport lies about 3.7 miles southeast of the city centre. The airport is linked to all major Australian cities, with daily direct and connecting flights.

Bus Stations Near Canberra

ACTION Bus, Canberra’s public transportation provider, offers several bus stops around the city at very reasonable prices.

Other Options

Visitors can also reach Canberra by driving, which takes around three hours from Sydney and can be a scenic drive through the Australian countryside.

How to Get Around in Canberra

Canberra is a well-planned city with an easy-to-navigate road network. Visitors have plenty of transportation options, including public transportation, car rentals, taxis, and bicycles.

Where to Go Next from Canberra: Nearby Destinations and Excursions

Visitors can explore nearby destinations like:

  • Sydney: Sydney has a lot to offer, including the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Tower
  • Blue Mountains National Park: The Blue Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site filled with natural wonders like waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife
  • Jervis Bay: Jervis Bay is known for squeaky-clean beaches, crystal-clear waters, and amazing coastlines

Conclusion

Canberra is a vibrant city with something different for everyone. From its excellent museums, galleries, and cultural attractions to its parks, wineries, and natural attractions, there are plenty of interesting places to visit, things to do, and delicious food to eat. So plan your itinerary well and come with an open mind to explore a unique side of Australia.

Hyams Beach in JBT Hyams Beach in JBT Parliament House in Canberra Parliament House in Canberra Hot air balloons flying over the Parliamentary Triangle Hot air balloons flying over the Parliamentary Triangle Outside the departures area at night. Outside the departures area at night. A NSW TrainLink Xplorer awaiting departure at Central Station in Sydney A NSW TrainLink Xplorer awaiting departure at Central Station in Sydney A bus at the Jolimont Centre A bus at the Jolimont Centre ACTION buses are Canberra's primary means of public transport ACTION buses are Canberra's primary means of public transport The Culture Loop bus The Culture Loop bus A bike path near Lake Tuggeranong A bike path near Lake Tuggeranong Old Parliament House in 2012 Old Parliament House in 2012 National Museum of Australia, Acton National Museum of Australia, Acton Chinese Embassy Chinese Embassy Curious kangaroos exploring the Australian War Memorial. Curious kangaroos exploring the Australian War Memorial. The Shine Dome The Shine Dome Bimberi wilderness, Namadgi National Park, southern ACT Bimberi wilderness, Namadgi National Park, southern ACT The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex Lake Burley Griffin Lake Burley Griffin Canberra Floriade occurs during the Australian spring Canberra Floriade occurs during the Australian spring The John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU The John Curtin School of Medical Research at the ANU Old Bus Depot Markets Old Bus Depot Markets City Walk in Civic City Walk in Civic Gus place in 2017 Gus place in 2017 The Sydney Building in Civic houses several bars and clubs The Sydney Building in Civic houses several bars and clubs An 80-year-old residence for Canberra's visiting politicians is now its most prestigious hotel An 80-year-old residence for Canberra's visiting politicians is now its most prestigious hotel The National Library of Australia has free Wi-Fi and computer terminals, as well as a copy of almost every book ever published in Australia The National Library of Australia has free Wi-Fi and computer terminals, as well as a copy of almost every book ever published in Australia


    Acton
    Belconnen
    Gungahlin
    Hall
    South Canberra
    Weston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden