The ultimate guide to Canberra with teens in tow

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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Teenagers are in for a treat in Canberra, from zooming around the lake on two wheels to bouldering, glassblowing and everything in between.

Canberra is often seen as a city as a quiet destination popular among the politically inclined, as well as business travellers, history buffs and those keen to visit its historical and cultural sites. But Canberra’s burgeoning arts and foodie scene, as well as its stunning natural landscape, make it the perfect place for a family holiday. Trust us, the kids will love it, especially after ticking everything off this list.

1. Canberra Glassworks

If you’re visiting Canberra with teens in tow, you simply must pop in to Canberra Glassworks. The company’s Teen Glass Blowing class will not only keep your kids entertained, but engaged in the art of glassmaking. The sessions will have them feeling like a fully formed glass artist, where kids aged between 14 and 19 can learn how to make bubbles, bowls and cups.

For parents: Take your own glassmaking class or tour the onsite. state-of-the-art studios and exhibition space.

Canberra Glassworks, ACT
Canberra Glassworks holds workshops for teens. (Image: VisitCanberra)

2. Share a Bike

Canberra is a bike rider’s paradise, and it’s super easy to get in the saddle and set off on a freedom ride. There are various bike hire options in the city, but one of the best is the self-serve Share a Bike, set up at various hotels in the heart of the city. Once you’ve got your bike (and helmet – safety first) head to Lake Burley Griffin, which has plenty of dedicated bike paths along the foreshore.

For parents: Not too keen on cycling? If you’re teens are old enough to explore on their own, hit up one of Canberra’s best spots for brunch nearby.

Bike riding around Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, ACT
There are plenty of bike paths around Lake Burley Griffin. (Image: VisitCanberra)

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3. Canberra Centre

If only there was some place that offered everything… What if we told you there is (cue surprise face)? The sprawling Canberra Centre on Bunda Street has everything from ten-pin bowling and arcade games to mini golf and escape rooms. And did we mention the pizza and doughnuts? We can sense you Googling right now.

For parents: Canberra Centre also has plenty of shops and restaurants, which is like the adult version of escape rooms and doughnuts.

Getty Images of ten pin bowling
Strike out at the Canberra Centre. (Image: Mihailo Milovanović)

4. Questacon

Put aside the day to visit Questacon and you’re sure to win best parents of the year. Also known as the National Science and Technology Centre, it’s all about science, technology and innovation here, but made engaging, immersive and so much fun. There are interactive experiments, hands-on workshops, games, live shows, interesting exhibitions and so much more, it’s seriously one of the best things to do in Canberra.

For parents: We’ll be honest, this is definitely one mum and dad will enjoy just as much as the kids.

Questacon in Canberra, ACT
There are more than more than 200 interactive exhibits at Questacon. (Image: VisitCanberra)

5. National Zoo and Aquarium

Animal lovers will forever remember their trip to the National Zoo and Aquarium. With a huge selection of close-encounter experiences, teens can become a zookeeper for the day and meet the friendly locals. From an African Savannah Safari to see rhinos, giraffes and cheetahs to an epic lion encounter for the particularly brave, there’s something for everyone.

For parents: The National Arboretum is a five-minute drive from the zoo and has beautiful gardens to wander, a bonsai collection to admire and a cafe to relax in.

A giraffe at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra
Make new friends with the friendly locals. (Image: Tourism Australia)

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6. Treetops Adventure

If you’ve got cheeky monkeys in tow, let them swing from the branches at Treetops Adventure, just a short drive from the CBD. In the heart of Majura Pines, teens will love jumping and zooming through the air on over 90 aerial obstacles and 16 ziplines up to 15 metres above the ground. With trained instructors onsite as well as plenty of safety equipment, it’s a safe and fun way to do Canberra with kids.

For parents: If you’d rather stay on the ground, Majura Pines is perfect for a leisurely nature walk.

Treetops Adventure in Majura Pines, Canberra
Zip through the pine trees at Treetops. (Image: Nathan Darma/Treetops Adventure)

7. BlocHaus Bouldering

You’ve heard of indoor rock climbing, but bouldering at BlocHaus takes the concept one step further. With a dedicated location for younger climbers in the happening suburb of Fyshwick (known as FamilyHaus), its the perfect place for kids to expel their energy. There are shorter walls, ropes, harnesses and big padded mats to catch kids if they fall. Book a family day pass and get going!

For parents: Afterwards, head across the road to Capital Brewing Co. for a family feed, where you can sample some epic craft brews, too.

wall climbing at BlocHaus, Fyshwick
Challenge yourself at this indoor rock climbing gym. (Image: Izzy Huang)

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.