We’ve done the sleuth work for you and found 40 capital reasons to head to the ACT.

Looking for the best things to do in Canberra for a short break, long weekend or work trip away? The bars, breweries, restaurants, galleries, museums and boutiques in the nation’s capital are a good place to start. But this eminently liveable city is also known for its great outdoors. From tackling one of Canberra’s stunning walks, stopping to smell the flowers during Floriade, hiring an e-bike to zip around the lake, or enjoying brunch al fresco, these are the best things to do in Canberra throughout the year.

In short

If you only do one thing in Canberra, make it riding around Lake Burley Griffin by bike. Lake Burley Griffin has become the shining jewel in Canberra’s crown. And riding around the lake is one of the best ways to explore Canberra.

Lesser-known Canberra attractions

Consider this a first-hand guide built for travellers who want more than a checklist.

1. Cycle or scoot around Canberra

I always bring my bike to Canberra to loop around the lake. If you don’t have your own wheels, NewActon Bike Hire and Cycle Canberra have options to suit a range of riders. Adrenaline junkies can head out of town with Mulga Bicycle Tours, while families can visit Share A Bike, which has child bikes and trailers. Cycle City Hire takes keen cyclists via shuttle bus to Stromlo Forest Park. Hire a scooter from Beam or Neuron to whiz around the water.

2. Take a dip in one of Canberra’s pools

Manuka Pool was the first public swimming pool in Canberra and this Art Deco beauty is a great place to go in summer. In addition to providing puddles of shade, the refurbished pool (which opened in 1931) has a pool for tiny tots. Canberra Olympic Pool appeals to teenagers as it has the city’s only diving board. Improve your splits at the Olympic-sized pool at Australian Institute of Sport, a world-class facility on the fringes of Canberra.

3. Visit Pod Playground at the Arboretum

There are a plethora of places to take children under the age of 10 in Canberra. The Pod Playground and Forest Sculpture Gallery are popular with families visiting the Arboretum. This living mosaic of forests and gardens comprises more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site. There are also top spots to picnic and designated barbecue areas that offer views over Canberra’s cinematic landscapes.

4. Admire the iconic architecture

There are a number of notable mid-century modern buildings in Canberra. The style of the buildings looks cohesive because they were mostly designed by architects from the Federal Capital Commission. Time your visit to coincide with the Design Canberra Festival, in September, which runs small-group architecture tours of iconic Canberra buildings.

5. Soak at Canberra’s new 24/7 bathhouse

Canberra’s wellness scene has levelled up with the arrival of Reverie, a new 24/7 wellness sanctuary, giving locals and visitors somewhere to unwind at any hour. We’ve found late-night sessions especially restorative after long days or busy itineraries. Curate your own alternative night out bouncing between a dry float tank, self-tanning booth, infrared sauna and ice bath.

6. Try cold-water swimming, Canberra-style

Cold-water swimming has quietly become one of the most talked-about things to do in Canberra. Join locals in November when the 10-kilometre Canberra Lake Burley Griffin Swim turns into a full-body reset. It’s as much about community as courage: regulars swap weather reports and recovery tips. You should also take the plunge with the new Floating Sauna.

Canberra’s museums & art galleries

There are more than 30 galleries and museums in Canberra to find inspiration, including kid-friendly spaces such as Questacon and the iconic Australian War Memorial.

7. Discover the National Museum of Australia

You will find The National Museum of Australia on Acton Peninsula, a finger of land that juts out into Lake Burley Griffin. You can take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions that present a range of rich and diverse Australian stories. The new Great Southern Land gallery tells a uniquely Australian story. Take a tour to get an introduction to the museum highlights.

8. Visit the sculpture garden at the National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia has more than 166,000 works in its permanent collection, striking the perfect balance between old, new, modern and masterpiece. Check the website to see what’s on as some of the world’s most acclaimed exhibitions are on display here. Don’t miss the Sculpture Garden with notable works by Henry Moore and James Turrell.

9. Pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial serves as a shrine, museum and archive commemorating those who died at war and served our nation in times of conflict. Many Australians have a deep connection to this iconic landmark institution, enhanced by galleries and exhibitions showcasing various aspects of war and the devastating human cost. Don’t miss Alexander McKenzie’s Study for Semakh diorama.

10. Step back in time at the Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House was the site where many pivotal decisions were made between 1927 and 1988. Now, it is home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, preserving all corners of the building that, for six decades, steadily built modern Australia. Take a free 45-minute walking tour to absorb the distinct 1980s setting, which serves as a time capsule for what was an important period of Australian history.

11. Relive your childhood at Questacon

Australia’s biggest science and technology museum, Questacon, played a major part in just about every Aussie’s school life. You’ll want to avoid this institution during the school holidays, but it’s always worth heading along to play around with all the interactive features and take a deep dive into many aspects of the scientific world.

Canberra’s best food

While Melbourne and Sydney may have the grand dining rooms and impressively expensive set menus, Canberra plays it cool with simplicity and restraint. With access to the best of NSW and Victorian produce, Canberra’s dining scene punches hard above its weight.

12. Dine at all of Canberra’s hatted restaurants

In a state of only 473,000 people, the fact the ACT has nine chef’s-hatted restaurants is very impressive. The great news is you can dine out every night of the week and still have reasons to return. From family-friendly restaurants to restaurants designed for romance, the restaurants that should be on your hit list include Azuma Den, Pilot, Onzieme, Mu Omakase, Agostinis, Terra, RAKU, Bar Rochford, XO and Pavilion Dining at Pialligo Estate.

13. Eat your way through Braddon

The inner-city suburb of Braddon slots in as Canberra’s trendiest neighbourhood and a big reason why the city’s dining scene attracts so much acclaim. The long, straight-shot strip of Lonsdale Street hosts some of the best restaurants in Canberra from neighbourhood wine bars like Rizla and the Euro-styled Wine Room to innovative fusion restaurants like Lazy Su and Zaab Street Food.

14. Stuff yourself silly at Patissez

Food trend forecasters would never have predicted an over-the-top milkshake would make Canberra a must-visit for Instagrammers. While some fads fade away, the freak shake remains. But there’s a lot more on the menu at Patissez in Manuka. For instance, the crispy corn and zucchini fritters and Tijuana tacos have been trying to elbow the freak shake out of the way since 2016 (when the craze took off).

15. Have a fancy degustation at The Truffle Farm

Follow a hard-working truffle dog through a maze of oak trees to find fresh truffles before sitting down to a meal showcasing the earthy treasures. The Truffle Farm is one of Canberra’s most unique dining experiences, based in picture-perfect Majura Valley with its very productive soil. Learn about the farm’s incredible history while enjoying food cooked by some of Sydney’s best chefs.

16. Have a farm fresh meal at Beltana Farm

Beltana Farm offers one of the best dining experiences in Canberra with a serene atmosphere that makes it feel like you’re dining in the English countryside. Pair some of the region’s best wines with an innovative, paddock-to-plate feast that could include everything from truffle and cuttlefish salami to bay smoked lamb rump with burnt pear, mustard seed and shishito pepper.

Take a hands-on tour

From glass-blowing workshops to guided tours of Parliament House, these immersive experiences will appeal to everyone in the family.

17. Take a glass-blowing class at Canberra Glassworks

Watch the artists forming everything from one-off figurines to vases in the working studio dubbed the Engine Room at Canberra Glassworks. Take a free heritage tour of the Kingston Powerhouse, which celebrated its centenary in 2015. Experts in the field also conduct workshops that demonstrate how to mould glowing glass into amazing shapes and colours. Sign up for a class to learn to blow, fuse and sculpt your own paperweight or tumbler.

18. Play around on Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin is not just for gazing at over a cocktail from one of the city’s busy bars. Although we thoroughly endorse a bar crawl around the nation’s capital as a fun option. But you should also consider earning those pina colada calories by hiring a canoe, kayak, row boat or paddle board from providers such as GoBoat Canberra and Capital Paddle.

19. Take a tour of Parliament House

A lot of Australians will remember taking a tour of Parliament House when they were in primary school. It’s nostalgic to return as an adult and learn all about the nation’s seat of power. There are many interesting exhibits and artefacts including a 152,690-piece Lego model of the building. The best way to see it all is on a free walking tour, which sets off at 1.30pm every Friday and Monday.

20. Gaze in wonder at the night sky

As night falls, a new Canberra stargazing tour invites you to slow down and look up. Set beside the Murrumbidgee River, the 90-minute Riverside Stargazing Tour by Canberra Stargazing blends science with storytelling, led by a passionate astronomer. Trace constellations by laser, peer through powerful telescopes and warm your hands around mugs of hot chocolate. Wrapped in blankets beneath the Milky Way, the tour celebrates ancient skies using modern astronomy.

Canberra wineries, bars, breweries and distilleries

You can whet your whistle on an elegant wine, bold brew or hand-crafted spirits thanks to the next-gen winemakers, brewers and distillers who take advantage of the city’s cool climate and pristine water supply.

21. Knock the top off a cold one

BentSpoke is one of the best bars in Canberra for a tipple or two. The brainchild of champion Australian brewer Richard Watkins and Tracy Margrain, this brewery has opened up a production-scale facility to cater to demand. Crack open a Cranking IPA or Barley Griffin to get into gear. Include Brew Nation and Capital Brewing Co in your pub crawl.

22. Taste the terroir over a top Canberra District drop

Winemakers in the Canberra District use the crisp, cool climate to their advantage to craft complex, elegant wines. The first vines were planted in the region in the 1840s and re-emerged in the 70s thanks to some fine work by scientists at the CSIRO. There are now three distinct wine regions in the area, news that pleases those who want to knock on a few cellar doors.

23. Sip spirits at Canberra’s best craft distilleries

Blood Orange Gin, French Earl Grey Gin, and Old George Reserve Whisky are just some of the tipples that will attract spirit geeks to The Canberra Distillery, just out of the city centre. A tour of Big River Distilling Co. includes a tutored tasting with distiller Clyde Morton. The Antipodes Gin, Australia’s first certified organic spirits company, is also in Canberra.

24. Enjoy a bar crawl

Only have 48 hours in Canberra? Well, the good news is the city is easy to get around. Must be all those oversized roundabouts as everything seems to be ‘about 10 minutes away’. And there are no gnarly traffic jams, so travelling in an Uber is fairly smooth.

Canberra markets & shopping

The food markets in Canberra are so good it’s worth travelling with an esky to stock up on artisan goods and fresh produce. There are also markets with stalls selling unique gifts to take home with you.

25. Try artisan baked goods at the farmers’ markets

The iconic Old Bus Depot Markets is one of the best farmers’ markets in Australia. There’s also the relaxed Haig Park Village Markets in Braddon and The Little Burly Market on the lake. Grab breakfast before heading to Hartley Hall Markets on the first Sunday of the month. The Handmade Market is another hip, happening hub. The Pialligo Food Emporium is also a top spot to pick up gourmet foods.

26. Hit up the shops at the Canberra Centre

Canberra is brimming with boutique stores, local homeware shops, major department stores and fashion brands. The Canberra Centre is the largest shopping centre in the city, and you can browse happily here without the crowds. In addition to Zara, H&M, Muji and Myer, the Canberra Centre also has a dedicated dining precinct dubbed Tiger Lane. There are also Westfields in Woden and Belconnen and Southpoint in Tuggeranong.

27. Find a unique gift at POP Canberra

POP Canberra showcases some of Canberra’s best makers and designers in this permanent shopfront, which exclusively stocks things you can only find in the capital. You’ll find plenty to love at this shop, from craft spirits and coffee table books to postcards and an obvious obsession with Trevor Dickinson’s irreverent Beautiful Bus Shelters of Canberra series.

28. Find vintage vibes in Canberra’s thrift shops

Don your fave crocheted beanie and join Canberra’s cool crowds for a fossick. Whether you’re wandering a weekend market or hitting up some of the op shops that specialise in upcycled clothing, you will find something to suit in the city’s second-hand stores. Bounce between Dirty Janes Canberra, Designer Op Shop Emporium (DOSE) and Material Pleasures.

Canberra events and festivals

From flower festivals to get-togethers with bougie vibes, and performances in the great outdoors, here are a few key events and festivals in Canberra.

29. Take to the skies for Canberra Balloon Spectacular

One of the best times to visit Canberra is during Canberra Balloon Spectacular in March. Book a hot air balloon ride during the nine-day festival to revel in 360-degree views over the city and beyond to the Brindabellas. Prefer to stay grounded? You can still enjoy the spectacle of seeing the balloons drifting across the sky. Book a ride with Balloon Aloft throughout the year.

30. Bring your camera to Floriade

You know spring has sprung in Canberra when Floriade rolls around. The iconic festival runs from mid-September to mid-October with some of Australia’s most incredible floral displays running alongside horticultural workshops, live music and seasonal markets. Plus, you’ve got Canberra’s best restaurants getting involved, turning this into one of the most picture-perfect lifestyle festivals in the country.

31. Find inspiration at Canberra Writers Festival

Running for a week in late October, the Canberra Writers Festival pulls together some of the most poetic and insightful minds in the ACT with guests from all over Australia. Book signings, talks, panel discussions and more are on full display as events celebrate storytelling in all its many forms.

32. Join the Canberra Times Marathon Festival

Canberra presents the perfect climate for a morning jog or an afternoon hike, which is why people from across the country come on down for the Canberra Times Marathon Festival. The three-day festival lands in April with five different distances on offer from a half-marathon to a 2-kilometre kids run.

Canberra walks & hikes

The choices for keen walkers and hikers is off the charts. Here are some of the best hikes and walks in Canberra.

33. Climb Canberra’s mountain hiking trails

Pack your boots. There are more than enough mountains to climb in Canberra. Take a hike up Black Mountain or Mt Ainslie. Conquer Red Hill in autumn when leaf peeping is at its best. Tackle the easy Dairy Farmers Hills Circuit in the National Arboretum for 360-degree city views. Or the easy Mt Taylor Zig Zag trail. Mt Tennet Trail is best for wildlife encounters.

34. Tackle some of the best walking trails in Canberra

Got something to prove? Tackle the Centenary Trail, which is a whopping 145 kilometres long. One Tree Hill is a manageable 90-minute return walk with views over the Brindabella Mountains. One of the ultimate ways to show respect to the Ngunnawal people of Canberra is to join Dhawura Tours for a walk on Country in Mt Majura or Namadgi National Park.

35. Climb to Mt Ainslie lookout

There is no better panorama of Canberra than the view from Mt Ainslie. The popular lookout spot offers a straight, stunning view of the city that’s almost directly aligned with Parliament House. The symmetry, coupled with the majestic Brindabella mountains in the background, makes this one of the most breathtaking views on offer in the ACT.

Celebrate Canberra’s cultural scene

A snapshot of the cultural scene in Canberra, from theatre and galleries to archives and after-dark performances.

36. Visit the National Film and Sound Archive

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is one of those places we return to every time we visit Canberra. It also does great work in digitising films at risk of disappearing. The collection at NFSA includes everything from rare home movies of Con Colleano, the greatest tightrope walker of all time. To iconic audio moments that help tell the story of the nation.

37. See a show at Canberra Theatre Centre

For a city its size, Canberra attracts an impressive roster of touring productions. We’ve seen everything from major musicals to sharp contemporary theatre at the Canberra Theatre Centre. The venues are central, the crowds refreshingly civilised, and it’s easy to build a night around dinner and a show without rushing. Check what’s on and plan a pre-theatre drink with friends.

38. Follow the Queanbeyan–Palerang Arts Trail

The Queanbeyan–Palerang Arts Trail unfolds across multiple weekends every October. The program includes access to artist studios, galleries and pop-up venues in towns such as Braidwood, Bungendore and Queanbeyan. We love the chance to meet makers, watch demonstrations and combine art with regional food stops.

39. Raising little culture vultures

Canberra is hugely popular with families. Whether you have children under the age of 10, or are travelling with teens in tow, Canberra’s got you. There’s Questacon, the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra Museum, and crowd-pleasing Cockington Green Gardens, a meticulously handcrafted miniature village. Canberra is also a good stopover on the way to the Snowy Mountains on a road trip from Sydney to Canberra.

40. See Canberra street art

See Canberra through its street art and public sculptures. More than 150 artworks are hidden across civic spaces, around Canberra’s lake and laneways. This self-guided trail invites you to wander and look closer at the city’s art scene. Follow colour-coded routes at your own pace, pausing to admire works woven into Canberra’s everyday streetscape such as Ethos by Tom Bass and Icarus by Jan Brown.