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Canberra

Experiential journeys will make you a storyteller
About Canberra


Canberra tourism is one of the main reasons why people visit Australia. Holding the title of the Australian Capital, the city of Canberra possesses the perfect blend of modernism and natural beauty. Initially possessed by Indigenous Australians, Canberra stands to be one of the most high-end cities in the world.

One of the main highlights of Canberra is the enchanting Lake Burley. Surrounded by national parks, galleries, restaurants, and cafes, the beautiful lake of Burley has held the heart of Canberra since 1959. Whether you choose to sit and relax in its gardens or take a cruise to eat tasty food, lake burley houses a series of fun activities. 

You might be awestruck to know that Canberra is also known as the “Bush Capital of Australia”, due to the presence of natural reserves, and mountains. You can think of visiting the mesmerizing Black Mountain of Canberra, also known as “Galambary“ to the localities. The small mountain is just 812 meters high covered with Native Australian bushland housing the wildlife. The National Australian Botanic Gardens share its space in the beautiful mountain with exotic flora. 

Canberra is home to stunning vineyards and wineries as you can take tours to enjoy the most elegant drink in hand. Besides the natural beauty, Canberra is home to Australia’s finest bars and diners. But the real essence of Canberra Tourism is witnessed through its markets and streets. You can check out Braddon for tasting the yummiest delight on its hipster streets. The interesting place is home to many cheap restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and boutiques for shopping. 

You can think of visiting the National Gallery of Australia to explore its 11 galleries and sculptures and artworks by various renowned artists. Another thing that makes Canberra popular is its annual Hot Air Balloon festival. You can enjoy floating in the grooviest balloons with designs of sky whales, honey bees, turtles, and whatnot! There are many beaches near Canberra like Barlings Beach, Bawley Beach, Broulee Beach, Guerrilla Bay Beaches, and Hyams Beach, where you can indulge in water sports such as surfing, snorkeling, swimming, etc. 

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Attractions

Lake Burley Griffin
Almost every traveler who visits Canberra must add this beautiful Lake Burley Griffin to their list as it’s not just a remarkable sight here but is a true delight for the soul. This is the centerpiece of the capital city and gets its name from the architect who built it back in 1958.

If you are looking for a beautiful wavefront with relaxing vibes, then this is the place to be. The park is fringed with sparkling shores and one can spot around six islands that are scattered in this lake. One must not miss out on this lake because of the adventures it offers, like the 147-meter high fountain, Captain Cook Memorial Jet, and the mighty globe that showcases Cook’s journeys! Lying adjacent to the lake is Commonwealth park that has its own amphitheater & elegant waterfalls that will not fail to surprise you with their charm. 

Location:
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 

Timings:
All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Canberra Railway Museum
Enjoy an interesting tour of the Canberra Railway Museum, which is situated inside Kingston in the Australian Capital Territory. This museum is one-of-its-kinds and showcases an amazing collection of historic steam locomotives that were used back in the early centuries.

Here you can find the mainline diesel locomotives, steam locomotives, carriages, and countless other engines that were used back in the olden times. Something that you should not miss out on when here is the 140-year-old locomotive 1210 which was the very first train for this capital city in the year 1914. If you have an interest in facts and how engines work, then this is a must-add place for you in the Canberra itinerary.

Location:
7 Geijera Pl, Fyshwick ACT 2604, Australia

Timings:
10:00 am to 03:30 pm only Sunday
Mount Ainslie Lookout
Among one of the most serene places to see in Canberra is Mount Ainslie that features picture-perfect vistas of nature. The layout of the mount is beautifully crafted to cater to the needs of the visitors. It is located at an elevation of 843 meters above the ground, and one can even take the bird’s eye view of the city with its vantage points.

While tracing this beautiful mountain, you can also witness a wide collection of flora & fauna. There is even a well-paved path to reach the top of the mountain where you can cycle up the trail instead of trekking it. If you are on the lookout for an adventurous yet amazing experience, then trekking this mountain is a great choice. 

Location:
Mount Ainslie Drive, Canberra

Timings:
All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Questacon National Science And Technology
A tour to Canberra is incomplete without visiting Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. This center is located between the High court and National Library on the shores of sparkling Lake Burley Griffin. It offers an interactive range of science displays, and you can also indulge in various experiments all by yourself. This place was opened back in 1988 to increase the knowledge of people and is revered by tourists and locals alike.

While visiting this place, make sure to witness the science shows and learning sessions as they are quite informative and tell you about the new innovations happening around the globe. Not only this, but you can also participate in knowledge sharing if you have your own science masterwork. There are various temporary and permanent exhibitions like the H2O Soak, Science room, and several others that you can witness here, where you charge up your brain cells!

Location:
King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia

Timings:
All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Royal Australian Mint
If you are looking for a place that you can cover quickly then Royal Australian Mint is the place for you. This is the place where you can learn about the heritage of the city and more about the currency of Australia. This place gets its name the Royal Australian Mint as all the coins are minted here.

When here, you can learn about coin manufacturing and take a look at the galleries that showcase the coins from early times. Not only this but you can also get your own coins minted here if they lost their shine. All the coins that are circulated in the entire Australia are manufactured here and it was opened back in 1965. This is a popular tourist destination so make sure you visit it on your Canberra trip.

Location:
Denison St, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia

Timings:
All days, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Canberra FAQ's

What are the best places to visit in Canberra?

  • Lake Burley Griffin: Lake Burley Griffin is one of the reasons for Canberra Tourism as the delightful place is in the Center of the city named after its architect since 1959. This place offers you to sit and relax near the stunning shores. The breathtaking views of six islands are visible from the lake. Once you reach the lake, the 147-meter tall fountain and mighty globe showcasing Captain Cook’s journey say hello to you.
  • National Gallery of Australia: The cubic concrete structure on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin is the National Gallery of Australia. An architectural wonder is a go-to place for art lovers through its 11 galleries as they showcase beautiful artwork of various artists. As soon as you enter the enchanting gallery, you get to experience the interiors in the form of “four seasons”. Explore the art gallery to witness sculptures and paintings of oil and watercolors with extensive ceramics.
  • Australian Botanic Gardens: Just a kilometer away from central Canberra, you can visit the 50-hectare Australian National Botanic Gardens. The exotic location of the gardens on the Black mountain makes it a habitable place for the best Australian flora, and many species of flowers. Whether you choose to picnic or enjoy bird watching, the Australian Botanic Gardens is a lush foliage of gardens.
Book Now: Hot Air Balloon Yarra Valley

What are the things to do in Canberra?


Eat the tastiest food in Braddon: Braddon is Canberra’s ever-growing food and shopping market where you find the tastiest things to grab. The place is filled with boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars, and many other interesting places. Braddon possesses the hipster vibe in its Lonsdale Street where you can enjoy the street food by local tastemakers.

Explore Wineries: You can take a winery tour in Canberra to witness the beauty of the landscape, and taste high-quality wines. There are wineries like Clonakilla, and the beautiful Eden’s Road surrounded by vineyards, and gorgeous forests.

Hot Air Balloon Adventure: Indulge in Canberra’s hot air balloon adventure as the unique annual festival takes place in the Parliament House. The festival hosts the funkiest balloons with designs of sky whales, hummingbirds, frogs, honey bees, turtles, etc.

Dinner Cruise on Lake Burly: Board the dinner cruise on Lake Burly with your loved ones for 3 long hours. The cruise offers you breathtaking views of the cityscape of Canberra, and enjoy incredible food onboard.

Visit Escape Rooms: If you love solving puzzles and mysteries, the escape room is your go-to place as 70 minutes would be given to you for solving puzzles and uncovering the truth behind them. The picked solving games are supported by simulation and beautiful artwork.

Click Here To Book: Legoland Discovery Centre Melbourne

What are the places to visit in Canberra at Night?

  • Reach the Summit of Mount Ainslie: One of the popular things to do at night in Canberra, you can think of taking a 13-minute drive from Avenue Hotel. The sunset views of the entire city are the ones to catch sight of. You can even cycle to this spot for more enjoyment.
  • Mount Stromlo Observatory Stargazing: Mount Stromlo Observatory Stargazing, and Canberra Astronomical Society host free stargazing sessions for people to witness the beauty of night sky once or twice a month. High-tech telescopes and equipment are set up for you to catch the beautiful sight of the night sky.

Click Here To Book Now: Melbourne To Peninsula Hot Springs

What is Canberra best known for?

Canberra is known internationally as it is the capital city of Australia. Besides being the capital, Canberra is also referred to as the Bush Capital of the country as it possesses many reserves surrounded by mountains. But the main thing that boosts Canberra Tourism is its serene Lake Burley and annual hot-air balloon festival.

How do I spend a weekend in Canberra?


Shop at the weekend markets: You can visit the weekend markets of Canberra like the Capital Region Farmers Markets to directly buy fresh food from farmers. The Sunday market of Haig Park Village is another best place to eat a tasty breakfast or get some cheap goods.
 
Visit Bungendore: Explore Bungendore during the weekends to witness the art gallery at its finest. The enchanting cafe of Bungendore offers you the best pastry and coffee in the capital city.

Enjoy GoBoat: Try the electric boat named GoBoat in the waters of Lake Burley. The enchanting boat ride is suitable for families to feel a rush of adrenaline.

Also, Checkout: Madame Tussauds Museum Tour

What are the best beaches near Canberra?

  • Barlings Beach: Barlings Beach is the nearest beach to Canberra with a 2 hour 15-minute drive. The beautiful beach with the clearest blue waters is surrounded by islands for you to enjoy.
  • Bawley Beach: One of the popular beaches to surf near Canberra, you can even explore the waters with a jetty. The beach is in the close vicinity of Bawley Point Reserve for you to enjoy a picnic.
  • Broulee Beach: Extremely popular among localities, this beach is the best place for a swim, surfing, or catching fish. The beach is even wheelchair accessible with the calmest swimming spots.
  • Green Island: It is a small offshore point of Cunjurong Point that is accessible during low tide. There are wild waves at this beach for thrill seekers to enjoy.
  • Guerrilla Bay: Located among the oldest rock formations of Australia, Guerrilla Beach is the family picnic spot with two beaches. 
  • Hyams Beach: It is the most beautiful beach in Canberra as it possesses an endless street of the whitest sands. Located in Jervis Bay, the beach's turquoise waters promote Canberra tourism through many of its water sports like snorkeling, swimming, stand-up paddling, and fishing.

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