Top places to visit in Canberra

• Parliament House

  landmark · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Australia's striking flag-topped Parliament, buried in Capital Hill — tour the chambers and walk on the grassed roof, free.

• Australian War Memorial

  memorial · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A moving national shrine, museum and archive of Australia's wartime history, with the Last Post ceremony each evening — free.

• Lake Burley Griffin

  lake · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Canberra's central ornamental lake — cycle or walk the shore, see the Captain Cook water jet and rent a paddle boat.

• National Gallery of Australia

  art-gallery · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The nation's premier art museum — Australian, Aboriginal and world art including Blue Poles and the Sculpture Garden, free.

• National Museum of Australia

  museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A vivid museum of the Australian story on Acton Peninsula — social history, Indigenous cultures and land, free entry.

• Mount Ainslie Lookout

  lookout · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A hilltop lookout with the classic axial view down Anzac Parade to Parliament House — spectacular at sunset, free.

• Questacon

  science-centre · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry $25 (≈ ₹1,660)

  The National Science and Technology Centre — hands-on interactive exhibits and the free-fall slide, a family favourite.

• National Arboretum Canberra

  arboretum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A hilltop arboretum of 44,000 rare and endangered trees, with the Pod Playground, bonsai collection and city views.

• Australian National Botanic Gardens

  garden · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest living collection of native Australian flora, on Black Mountain — rainforest gully, eucalypt lawn and walks, free.

• National Portrait Gallery

  art-gallery · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A gallery telling Australia's story through portraits of the people who shaped the nation, in the Parliamentary Triangle — free.

• Old Parliament House

  historic-building · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $2 (≈ ₹130)

  The elegant 1927 seat of government, now the Museum of Australian Democracy, with heritage chambers and rose gardens.

• Braddon (Lonsdale Street)

  neighbourhood · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Canberra's hippest strip — warehouse eateries, craft-beer bars, roasters and boutiques along Lonsdale Street.

Things to do

• Canberra Highlights City Tour Tour · 4 h · from AUD 89 per person
• Lake Burley Griffin Bike Hire Activity · 3 h · from AUD 45 per person
• Parliament House & Democracy Walking Tour Tour · 2 h · from AUD 55 per person
• Canberra District Wine Tour Tour · 6 h · from AUD 145 per person
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Wildlife Tour Tour · 5 h · from AUD 99 per person
• National Gallery of Australia Highlights Tour Tour · 1.3 h · from AUD 25 per person

Day trips and tours

• Canberra Capital Highlights 4 h · from AUD 89

Where to stay in Canberra

• City Center about AUD 3,000 per night

  National capital with accommodation

• Kingston & Manuka about AUD 200 per night

  Leafy dining precincts with the Kingston Foreshore, restaurants and boutique hotels.

Hotels

• Hyatt Hotel Canberra 5-star · AUD 300 to AUD 700 per night
• Ovolo Nishi 5-star · AUD 240 to AUD 500 per night
• East Hotel 4-star · AUD 180 to AUD 340 per night
• QT Canberra 5-star · AUD 200 to AUD 420 per night
• Canberra City YHA 3-star · AUD 40 to AUD 150 per night

Where to eat

• Pilot Modern Australian · about AUD 160 per person
• Akiba Asian · about AUD 65 per person
• Morks Thai · about AUD 70 per person
• Lazy Su Asian, Fusion · about AUD 55 per person
• Brodburger Burgers, American · about AUD 25 per person
• Rye Eatery Cafe · about AUD 25 per person

Getting to Canberra

Airport: Canberra (CBR)

How visitors arrive in Canberra

• Flights to Canberra Airport By air · common

  Flights come from all Australian state capitals; Sydney and Melbourne are alternative gateways. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Coach or drive from Sydney By road from Sydney · common

  Coaches use Jolimont Centre; freeway-style highways link Sydney and Melbourne. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from Sydney By train from Sydney · common

  NSW TrainLink trains run from Sydney to Canberra Railway Station in Kingston. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train and bus from Melbourne By train from Melbourne · possible

  Melbourne services combine a train leg with a coach. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Rapid 3 bus to the City

  The Rapid 3 bus links the airport terminal with the City interchange, continuing through Belconnen to Spence; tap on with a bank card or use MyWay+. Source: canberraairport.com.au

• Canberra Airport Express shuttle unconfirmed

  A daytime airport express minibus serves Canberra city; the operator named in the draft was not confirmed, so check who runs it currently. Source: en.wikipedia.org

• Taxi or Uber from the airport

  Taxis wait in the indoor queue on the ground floor. Uber operates in Canberra, with a passenger waiting lounge near the arrivals exit. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  Transport Canberra buses cover most of the city, with Civic as the main hub and rapid routes as the most direct services.

• Car Rental Self useful for some trips

  Canberra is spread out and designed for cars, so a rental car is the most practical way to reach sights beyond the centre.

• Tram

  A light rail line connects the city centre at Civic with Gungahlin in the north.

• Walking

Paying

• Tap a contactless card or wallet on boarding and again when getting off; forgetting to tap off triggers a fixed fare. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Backpacker job-deposit

  Major tourist zones

  Online "casual work" offer demands $50–200 deposit for "uniform/training"; job doesn't exist.

  How to avoid it: Never pay deposit for a job before starting. Use official jobactive portal.

Best time to visit Canberra

• Jan 29°C
• Feb 28°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 21°C
• May 17°C
• Jun 13°C
• Jul 12°C
• Aug 14°C
• Sep 17°C
• Oct 20°C
• Nov 23°C
• Dec 27°C

More in Australia

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Gold Coast

Frequently asked questions about Canberra

What are the top-rated places to visit in Canberra?

The highest-rated places in our Canberra guide are Australian War Memorial, Mount Ainslie Lookout, Questacon, National Arboretum Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin.

Where should I stay in Canberra?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Canberra: City Center, Kingston & Manuka.

How do I get around Canberra?

Ways to get around Canberra covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Tram, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Canberra?

Scams reported to us for Canberra include Backpacker job-deposit. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Canberra?

Average daytime highs in Canberra run from 12°C in Jul to 29°C in Jan.

Which airport is nearest to Canberra?

The nearest airport to Canberra has the code CBR.