A day out in Canberra
Canberra is in Australian Capital Territory. Hopalong knows 22 things to do and 20 places to eat here, plus day trips to Tidbinbilla and Murrumbateman. Prices are approximate adult prices in A$.
Top things to do in Canberra
Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House
A$2 · Parliamentary Triangle · about 90 min
Sit in the old chambers and the PM's office. Gold-coin entry.
Questacon science centre
A$30 · Parliamentary Triangle · about 120 min
Hands-on science, including the free-fall slide.
National Museum of Australia
Free · Acton · about 90 min
Australian stories, from First Nations history to Phar Lap's heart.
National Zoo & Aquarium
A$50 · Yarralumla · about 150 min
Big cats, bears and close encounters.
Royal Australian Mint
Free · Yarralumla · about 45 min
Watch coins being made from the gallery above the factory floor.
Parliament House
Free · Parliamentary Triangle · about 90 min
Free tours and a walk on the grass-covered roof.
Australian War Memorial
Free · Campbell · about 120 min
Galleries and the Last Post Ceremony at 4:55 pm.
Mount Ainslie lookout walk
Free · Mount Ainslie · about 90 min
Walk up behind the War Memorial for the view down Anzac Parade.
National Arboretum
Free · Black Mountain · about 75 min
Forests from around the world and great city views.
Red Hill Lookout
Free · Red Hill · about 30 min
A drive-up lookout with the whole city and Parliament House laid out below.
Coming up in Canberra
- Australia v England T20 at Manuka (Wed 2 December): Men's T20 international under lights.
- Big Bash at Manuka Oval (Wed 16 December, Sun 3 January, Mon 11 January): Three Big Bash games in Canberra.
- Australia v New Zealand women's T20 (Wed 24 February): Women's T20 international under lights.
From published fixtures. Check times and tickets with the organiser.
Wine tasting in Canberra
- Mount Majura Vineyard (Majura, A$10): A vineyard 15 minutes from the city centre.
Tasting fees and cellar door hours change. Book ahead and organise a driver.
Free things to do in Canberra
- Parliament House (Parliamentary Triangle): Free tours and a walk on the grass-covered roof.
- Australian War Memorial (Campbell): Galleries and the Last Post Ceremony at 4:55 pm.
- National Gallery of Australia (Parliamentary Triangle): The national collection, with a sculpture garden by the lake.
- National Museum of Australia (Acton): Australian stories, from First Nations history to Phar Lap's heart.
- National Portrait Gallery (Parliamentary Triangle): Faces of Australia, from explorers to rock stars.
- Mount Ainslie lookout walk (Mount Ainslie): Walk up behind the War Memorial for the view down Anzac Parade.
- National Arboretum (Black Mountain): Forests from around the world and great city views.
- Australian National Botanic Gardens (Black Mountain): Native plants, a rainforest gully and lizards sunning on the paths.
Where to eat
- Lunch on Lonsdale Street (Braddon, around A$25): Cafés, bakeries and burgers in Braddon.
- Dinner at Kingston Foreshore (Kingston, around A$60): Waterfront restaurants on the lake.
- Asian eats in Dickson (Dickson, around A$22): Canberra's Chinatown, for dumplings, pho and laksa.
- Café lunch at the National Gallery or Museum (Acton, around A$22): Lake views from the national institutions' cafés.
- The Cupping Room (Civic, around A$22): Specialty coffee, cupping sessions and brunch in the city centre.
- Rosa's (Parliamentary Triangle, around A$15): Outdoor café in the Old Parliament House rose gardens.
- Cafe Sosta (Acton, around A$25): Fresh pasta and Black Mountain Peninsula views at the Red Shed.
- Local Press Café (Kingston, around A$22): Waterside café on the Kingston Foreshore.
- Good Neighbour (Kingston, around A$20): Stylish café known for strawberry iced matcha; pets welcome.
- Tokyo Canteen (Kingston, around A$22): Japanese flavours meet café classics.
- Recess Coffee (Griffith, around A$20): All-day breakfast and a vinyl player.
- Wildflour (Fyshwick, around A$12): Specialty croissants such as pistachio and ube.
- ONA Coffee House (Fyshwick, around A$22): Award-winning roaster's café.
- Barrio Collective Coffee (Braddon, around A$20): Specialty coffee and brunch in Braddon.
- Mocan & Green Grout (Acton, around A$28): Seasonal brunch in New Acton.
- Akiba (Civic, around A$55): Pan-Asian share plates, open late.
- Eightysix (Braddon, around A$70): Lively share-plate dining on Lonsdale Street.
- Brodburger (Kingston, around A$25): Flame-grilled burgers by the lake.
- Frugii Dessert Laboratory (Braddon, around A$9): Ice cream with wild flavours.
- Aubergine (Griffith, around A$150): Canberra's long-standing fine diner. Book ahead.
Step-free and pram-friendly ideas
- Parliament House · step-free · pram-friendly
- Australian War Memorial · step-free · pram-friendly
- National Gallery of Australia · step-free · pram-friendly
- Questacon science centre · step-free · pram-friendly
- National Museum of Australia · step-free · pram-friendly
- National Portrait Gallery · step-free
Access information can change. Check with the venue if access is essential.
Day trips from Canberra
Tidbinbilla
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (A$15): Kangaroos, emus and platypus in the wild. Car entry fee.
Murrumbateman
- Clonakilla (A$15): The famous shiraz viognier maker.
- Helm Wines (A$10): Riesling specialist in an 1888 schoolhouse.
- Four Winds Vineyard (A$15): Cellar door with wood-fired pizzas on weekends.
Typical weather in Canberra
| Month | Low | High | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 29°C | 6 |
| April | 7°C | 20°C | 7 |
| July | 0°C | 12°C | 7 |
| October | 7°C | 20°C | 7 |
Approximate long-term averages, not a forecast.