Canberra Things to Do – Attractions & Must See

Canberra Things to Do

Canberra is the capital of Australia. A carefully planned city, it offers many things to do and a chance to see. Thoughtful planning can help any traveler make the most of their trip here.

People who love to spend time outdoors will have much to see here. The same is true for those who love the opportunity to tour museums and sample local food items. Indoor attractions range from the National Portrait Gallery, the National Dinosaur Museum, the CSIRO Discovery Center for Science, the National Museum of Australia and the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex. Popular outdoor attractions include the Red Hill Nature Reserve, the Australian National Botanical Gardens and the National Rose Gardens.

National Attractions

As Canberra is the capital of Australia, it is home to many national institutions. Any visitor can take advantage of this fact and use their time here to see some of the best museums in the country. Moreover, this being the capital, many such attractions even offer free admissions, making it easy to stretch your travel budget further. A visit to the National Museum of Australia makes a great place to start any trip. This modern museum charts the entire history of Australia from the original aboriginal inhabitants and their culture to the modern day creation of the current nation. Another highly popular museum in this city is the National Gallery of Australia. The Gallery primarily focuses on Australian artists. It also includes an outdoor sculpture garden.  The Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex is a unique attraction, allowing visitors to see how Australians have partnered with NASA.

Outdoor Places to Explore

Canberra is also home to many national outdoor attractions. The Australian National Botanical Gardens is where you can see many native plant species. A main path will take you along the entire garden. Another way to explore the area’s local flora and fauna is to take a walk in the Red Hill Nature Reserve. Expect to encounter many native wildlife species such as kangaroos as you walk. Another treat for nature lovers is the National Rose Gardens. Featuring hundreds of types of roses from around the world, it makes an ideal trip on a summer day. The center of the city also includes many public parks. One of the most popular is Commonwealth park. Offering many paths along the Molonglo River, the park has a mini lake and a specially designed kid’s play area. This is also where you will find the heart of the capital. The Canberra and Region Visitors Centre offers lots of useful information for visitors from natives who know the area well. The National Capital Exhibition, features a series of changing exhibitions focused on local and national Australian history. The Captain Cook Memorial Fountain honors the region’s first European explorer.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Canberra.