City guides
Australia
Capital Territory
Things to do in Canberra
Canberra is a well-organised city with top-class amenities, lots of leisure opportunities and some brilliant cultural sightseeing options. Sites such as the Australian War Museum, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia are proud Australian cultural landmarks and well deserving of the time of travellers. But these stately attractions aside, Canberra is also a fun city for families travelling with kids, offering attractions such as the National Zoo and Aquarium, Cockington Green, Questacon and the Australian Railway Historical Society, where old-fashioned steam train rides can be enjoyed.
Special tourist discount deals are available, including 3infun Canberra, which provides one ticket to visit three of the city's most popular attractions: the Australian Institute of Sport, Cockington Green, and Questacon: The National Science and Technology Centre. If purchased online this ticket gives something like a 25 percent discount.
Canberra's city centre is relatively compact and easy to get around for visitors, with many of the top attractions close together. Possibly the best way to see the city of Canberra is on a hot air balloon ride, and those who happen to be visiting in autumn shouldn't miss out on the grand extravaganza of Canberra's Fiesta, during which dozens of colourful hot air balloons rise gently into the early morning air from the lawns in front of Canberra's Old Parliament House. Canberra has a busy events calendar and tourist numbers peak during popular events such as the Fiesta and the spring festival of Floriade.
Cockington Green
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's best-loved attr…
Cockington Green
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's best-loved attractions. The park was created by Doug and Brenda Cockington and has been a family-run business ever since. The family make sure to keep the park in perfect condition, adding new attractions whenever possible.
As well as the wonderful miniature displays and breath-taking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze, several cafes, a barbecue, picnic and playground areas, and a steam train ride that circles the grounds. A fairly recent addition, created with funding from the Sultanate of Oman, is a small-scale replica of Oman's Jabrin Fort. Other international small-scale replicas include one of Israel's Masada Northern Palace, and a large collection of great historical Australian homes.
Website www.cockingtongreen.com.au
National Gallery of Australia
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has the best collection of art in the country. The Australian collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through…
National Gallery of Australia
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has the best collection of art in the country. The Australian collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to 20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem Land, pukumani burial poles from the Tiwi people and printed fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land. The Memorial, a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is dedicated to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives defending their country since European settlement.
There's also plenty of foreign art from all eras, and many important international exhibitions are featured in Canberra on their way around the world. The collection is not confined to paintings; sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, furniture, ceramics, fashion, textiles and silverware are all on display.
Website www.nga.gov.au
Australian War Memorial
Consistently voted Canberra's premier tourist attraction, the Australian War Memorial is not only a fitting tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service of their co…
Australian War Memorial
Consistently voted Canberra's premier tourist attraction, the Australian War Memorial is not only a fitting tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service of their country, but also a fascinating, highly-informative museum that seeks to educate modern Australians about the conflicts that have blighted their country's past. Housing an in-depth exhibition for every war Australia has ever been involved in, and boasting passionate, knowledgeable tour guides, visitors are strongly advised to set aside at least half a day to do the museum justice. The Australian War Memorial is a must-see for anyone seeking a sobering, humanising reminder of how dearly war can cost a nation, and it is a good introduction to the country's history for foreigners. Entrance to the Memorial is free, and there are free tours conducted daily by knowledgeable volunteers.
Website www.awm.gov.au