Canberra Travelers Recommend

Australia’s capital city packs a lot of high-quality experiences into its relaxed, natural setting. Home to museums and galleries, outdoor pursuits at Lake Burley Griffin and in the bush-clad hills, and delicious dining and drinking, Canberra is more than just the country's political heart. Here are some ideas for what to do in Canberra.

Day 1: Explore the Cultural Attractions

Spend your first day in Canberra getting an overview. Politics buffs might enjoy a guided tour of Parliament House and the chance to see Australian politicians shouting at each other. A lot of culture, history, and architecture of note can be found on the northern side of the lake at the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery of Australia, National Library of Australia, Questacon National Science and Technology Centre, and—on the lake's other side—the National Museum of Australia and the Australian National University. Touring via a hop-on, hop-off bus is especially convenient, whereas an electric bike tour is a fun way to cover a lot of ground.

Day 2: Check out the Views

Start with a hot air balloon ride over the lake. The colorful balloons, common over Canberra, are a peaceful way to see the city, lake, and mountains. Afterwards, pick a mountain and go exploring. At the foot of Black Mountain is the Australian National Botanic Gardens. After exploring there, walk up Black Mountain, which is 770 feet (235 meters) higher than Canberra’s 1,893-foot (577-meter) altitude, and ascend the Telstra Tower for views. Alternatively, head to the Australian War Memorial at the foot of Mount Ainslie, which is 869 feet (265 meters) higher than Canberra. Walking up Mount Ainslie you can often spot kangaroos.

Day 3: Beer, Wine, and Dine

The area around Canberra is full of wineries. Take a day trip out to the nearby Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales countryside to learn about southeast Australian wines, see the rolling landscape, and sample food. If beer is more your thing, you’re in luck as Canberra is home to many craft brews. Join a brewery or brewpub tour to sample some of the best. For dinner and drinks on this final night in Canberra, head to the central Civic area for the city’s best restaurants and nightlife.

Unlike many other capital cities, Canberra feels more like a small town surrounded by hills, bush, and parkland. With two days in the Australian capital, visitors can check out the top-quality cultural attractions in town and experience nature in some of the surrounding areas. Here’s what to do with two days in Canberra.

Day 1: Tour the Cultural Attractions

**Morning:**A hop-on hop-off bus is a convenient way of traveling between spread-out attractions in Canberra. Start the day in the Parliamentary Zone with a tour of Parliament House, the seat of Australian government. Learn about Australia’s history and present at the same time.

**Afternoon:**Turn to Canberra’s cultural offerings this afternoon with a visit to the National Gallery of Australia or the National Museum of Australia, two of the city’s must-see attractions. The National Gallery contains a large collection of Indigenous Australian artworks, while the colorful, distinctive National Museum occupies its own peninsula on Lake Burley Griffin.

**Night:**Sometimes known as Canberra’s Chinatown, the Dickson neighborhood is one of the best places in the city to eat out. Strike out and take your pick of its wide collection of international food options, from Ethiopian and Japanese to Thai. 

Day 2: Views and Brews

**Morning:**Get up early to take a scenic hot-air-balloon ride over Lake Burley Griffin. The colorful balloons, a common sight across Canberra, offer one of the best ways to experience the city. Alternatively, go on a morning walk up Black Mountain or Mount Ainslie to admire the sweeping views.

**Afternoon:**This afternoon is the perfect time to explore Canberra’s decadent side. As the city is known for its nearby vineyards and also produces some popular craft beers, join a beer- or wine-tasting tour to learn about the culture of Canberra through its drink production. 

**Night:**On your final evening in Canberra, set out to explore the vibrant Civic area. The Canberra Centre or Sydney and Melbourne Building Precinct are lively places that pack great restaurants and nightlife options.

With just one day in the Australian capital, you can take in parliament, visit key museums, and soak in this pleasant lakeside city surrounded by parkland. Here’s how to see Canberra’s essentials in just 24 hours.

Morning: Tour Parliament House

Canberra is the seat of the Australian government, and politics buffs will especially enjoy touring the Australian Parliament House. The elegant and distinctive building can be seen from many parts of the city, as Canberra’s sight lines were carefully designed when the city was planned. Guided tours run three times a day and vary a bit depending on what is happening in the government on the day.

Afternoon: Cultural Canberra

Spend the afternoon at the National Gallery of Australia or the National Museum of Australia (or both, if you don’t mind less time in each). The National Gallery shows permanent and temporary exhibitions of art from Australia and the region and has a particularly strong collection of Indigenous Australian art from around the country. The National Museum informs visitors about the history, geography, and geology of Australia, and is interesting for kids, too.

Night: Dinner in Civic

Canberra has an excellent collection of restaurants, serving contemporary Australian cuisine as well as Asian favorites. For dinner, head to Civic, the de facto center of Canberra, with the largest concentration of restaurants and bars. The areas around the Canberra Centre mall and the historic Sydney and Melbourne Building Precinct are the most atmospheric places for a casual or more upmarket dinner.