Canberra is a vibrant city that has something for everyone, from world-class museums to beautiful parks, gardens and a stunning lake. In this article we will discuss some of the best attractions that Canberra has to offer those looking to spend some time in the nation's capital.
Skip to the list of Canberra's best attractions
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Australian War Memorial
- Floriade
- Jerrabomberra Wetlands
- Lake Burley Griffin
- Mount Ainslie Lookout
- Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
- National Arboretum Canberra
- National Gallery of Australia
- National Library of Australia
- National Museum of Australia
- National Portrait Gallery
- National Zoo and Aquarium
- Parliament House
- Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
- Royal Australian Mint
What is there to do in Canberra?
There is plenty of sightseeing option in Australia's capital city, Canberra. From exploring the many museums and galleries to taking a stroll through the picturesque Botanic Gardens, there are plenty of options for those looking to spend a day or two in the city.
Visitors can also learn about the country's history at the War Memorial or take a tour of Parliament House.
There are also opportunities to go hiking, biking, or kayaking in the nearby mountains, forests and Lake Burley Griffin. Whatever your interests, you're sure to find something to occupy your time in Canberra.
What makes a great attraction?
A great attraction is one that is either visually stunning or has a rich history. It should be a place where people can learn about the culture and heritage of a country or region.
It should also be a place where people can enjoy the natural beauty of the landscape. In short, a great attraction point should be a place that has something for people to enjoy.
The best attractions in Canberra 2024
To be listed as one of Canberra’s best, Canberra Daily requires them to have maintained a track record of positive reviews on Google and Facebook, with a minimum average of 4/5 stars.
When looking for attractions and things to see and do in Canberra, check out our list of Canberra Daily’s best below.
National Portrait Gallery
Situated in the picturesque suburb of Parkes, the National Portrait Gallery is home to 400 stunning portrait’s of some of Australia’s most influential people, both past and presently.
The space is home to plenty of exhbitions and displays that can keep visitors entertained for an hour or two, while they also have a terrific cafe and shop.
Ray wrote this five star review on Google; “Went down to see the exhibition from the London Portrait gallery, thought maybe 45 minutes. Was close to 2 hours with a great coffee and cake. The regular gallery is also really enjoyable. Bonus is a short walk only to the National Gallery Blue Poles, brilliant traditional indigenous arts and sculpture garden.”
Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint was opened by Prince Phillip on 22 February 1965 and has since produced more than fifteen billion circulating coins.
Located in the Canberra suburb of Deakin, the Mint is a great place to learn about the history of Australia’s currency through a guided tour.
You can visit the factory for a bird’s eye view of where the coins are made and use the interactive touchscreens that explain the coin making process.
After leaving the gallery, you can even mint your own $1 coin and enjoy a refreshment at their cafe.
Jeff Fogarty wrote this review on Google; “Must do when in Canberra, Make sure you do the guided tour. Well worth the trip to see. Has a Café and shop inside, Tours on the hour. Buy a Penny from your birth year or one of the other many collections they have pressed over the years. Highly recommend.”
Mount Ainslie Lookout
The Mount Ainslie Lookout offers some of the best views of Canberra and allows you to appreciate the city’s incredible design features.
The iconic main view from the lookout takes in Walter Burley Griffin’s plan of the city. It gives a remarkable vantage point to see the perfectly aligned War Memorial, Anzac Parade, Lake Burley Griffin, Old Parliament House and New Parliament House that we have seen in so many magnificent photos.
You can either take the walking trail that winds up from the rear of the Australian War Memorial, or you can take the car up Mt Ainslie Drive.
Local Guide Gonzalo Gutierrez wrote this review on Google; “Nice lookout stop in Canberra. You get to see the beauty of the city from atop. Very clean and easy access by car. Love to come here for a peaceful time.”
Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
The Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) at Old Parliament House is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Canberra.
MoAD helps people to better understand Australia’s social and political history by interpreting the past and present and exploring the future.
They have a series of exciting exhibitions in the building at any one time as well as a number of different tours to help you explore.
There are many historic spaces to visit inside MoAD, including the old Prime Minister’s Office, the Press Room, the House of Representatives and more.
Selina Atkinson wrote this Google review: “Old Parliament House is a MUST SEE on your trip in Canberra. The building almost talks to you as you move around well preserved relics and offices that transport you back in time!! So much history, heritage and political flavour is seen, felt and almost heard on this visit! Kids loved the ‘old school’ vibe!”
Parliament House
Parliament House is a beautiful piece of architecture located in the heart of Canberra.
Walking through the magnificent building, you will find some of Australia’s finest historical treasures, symbolic architectures, contemporary art and temporary exhibitions.
It is open for people to experience Australia’s democracy in action, with the ability to watch Question Time, see bills being debated and sit in on committee inquiries as current issues are explored in detail.
They offer a range of tours to take you around Parliament House and help you learn more about the building.
Local Guide Abhi D wrote this review on Google; “Nice architecture and good hospitality. Did not see any politicians though which is a good thing.”
National Library of Australia
The National Library of Australia was opened in 1968 by Prime Minister John Gorton and is now home to many Australian historical documents, books, manuscripts, newspapers and more.
They have a series of events and exhibitions throughout the year for visitors to enjoy and learn, while there is also a cafe to grab a bite to eat or a drink and a gift shop.
Grace Law wrote a five star review on Google; “Well managed library surrounded by beautiful greenery. Worth a visit to see the exhibitions or just a peaceful walk around the area.”
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia is ideally located on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin and brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events.
They focus on a number of themes including Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment.
Visitors can spend hours enjoying the fun and immersive exhibitions at the Museum, while they also have a cafe and shop to enhance the experience.
Google Local Guide Desiree Chea wrote this five star review: “Lots to see and explore. Great exhibitions that make you think and ponder. So much to absorb and learn. Plenty of parking. Small Kid friendly areas. Easy to navigate but also easy to get immersed in the space. Cafe available, easily spend a whole day here.”
Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens maintains a beautiful and scientific collection of native plants from all parts of Australia.
The plants are displayed for visitors to admire and enjoy, while they are also used for research into plant classification and biology.
Spread across 50-hectares, the Australian National Botanic Gardens has several impressive areas for people of all ages to walk through and enjoy the terrific range of Australian flora.
Local guide Dylan Newton wrote this five star review on Google; “Stunning botanical garden with quiet pockets of solitude, long peaceful paths and outdoor spaces highlighting our endemic species. As a conservation biologist I can’t wait to return with my camera again and be mobbed by new holland honeyeaters, Crimson Rosella’s, eastern spinebills, scrub wrens etc etc etc. What a joyful place.”
Floriade
Floriade is one of Canberra’s biggest events on the calendar every year as the city comes alive with beauty, colour and vibrancy.
Running for a month during Spring, Floriade offers a diverse program of music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, market traders, horticultural workshops, entertainment, and of course, a selection of beautifully arranged flowers.
Floriade 2022: Saturday 17 September – Sunday 16 October. Entry is free, gates open from 9am to 5.30pm daily.
Helen Canning wrote this review on Facebook; “A delightful experience. Beautiful flower displays, good variety of stalls, lots for families, an excellent day.”
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) is home to the most valuable collection of art in Australia, making it the ideal place for art lovers to enjoy.
The NGA is dedicated to collecting, sharing and celebrating art from Australia and around the world and has over 155,000 works of art.
They have expansive collection displays, a dynamic program of exhibitions, national tours and cultural events that celebrate creativity and deepen learning.
Sitting on the beautiful shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the NGA building is heritage listed and is a must for any art lover to check out.
Shabnam Rathee wrote this review on Google: “Definitely a must visit! I spent about 4-5 hours at the gallery and it wasn’t enough. There’s so much to see and absorb honestly. Great collection of Aboriginal art and sculptures!”
Jerrabomberra Wetlands
Jerrabomberra Wetlands is the perfect place to experience the sights and sounds of nature in Canberra.
Located just ten minutes from the city centre, the Jerrabomberra Wetlands features a diverse panorama of of plant and wildlife, with over 170 different species of birds to discover.
There are plenty of different events and tours on during the year for visitors to get the most out of their trip.
Kerbray wrote this five star review on Google; “A fantastic place for a walk along the dedicated tracks. A few cycling and walking routes, with lots of wildlife throughout. Particularly great for bird watching, with dedicated bird hides throughout the wetlands, and there’s lots of kangaroos in the open grassland area too. It’s definitely an area with snakes so caution is advised. The circular loop took about 45 minutes for the route we took.”
Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burley Griffin is the centrepiece of Canberra, with a significant number of national institutions, parks and national public places are located on or near its shores.
The Lake is an integral part of Canberra’s design and is named after Walter Burley Griffin, the American architect who won the competition to design Canberra.
It is one of city’s most popular attractions for both locals and tourists alike, with picturesque walking and biking tracks, boating and other recreational activities, picnic spots and gorgeous views.
There are many services availbale near the lake, including kayak and stand up paddle boarding hire, lake cruises, cafes, restaurants and plenty more.
You can also visit some of the other great Canberra landmarks around the lake, including the Carilion Tower on Aspen Island.
Kerbray wrote this on Google; “A beautiful artificial lake in the centre of Canberra, with lots of points of interest around the lake. Great for running and cycling, or even taking some of the electrical scooters that are located around the lake. There’s a few dedicated monuments, parks, nature reserves and memorials around the lake, and there’s plenty of great picnic spots to take in the views.”
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive with a purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of Australians who have died in war and those who have served in times of conflict.
Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society.
The War Memorial is an iconic Canberra landmark where people can spend hours appreciating the memorial, paying respects and learning about our war history.
The Memorial offers a range of guided tours, including a 1 hour highlights audio tour. They also have a daily Last Post Ceremony at 4.45pm in the Commemorative Area.
Jeremy Sussex wrote this review on Google; “A fantastic Museum and war memorial. Would highly recommend attending if you are visiting Canberra. It is free to the public but you do need to go onto the website a book a time due to covid restrictions.”
National Arboretum Canberra
The National Arboretum Canberra is a mosaic of living forests and gardens offering breathtaking views across Canberra.
The Arboretum was voted Canberra’s best tourist attraction in 2019 and 2021, and it’s easy to see why once you see the beauty of it.
It features over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across 94 forests and 250-hectares, with stunning architecture and pristine, landscape gardens.
There are a range of walking and cycling tracks for the public to enjoy as they stroll through the wonderous trees, while dogs are allowed and there are even certain areas for horse riding.
The award-winning Village Centre allows for some of the most stunning views, while you can also grab a bite to eat and talk to the friendly and informative staff.
Fraser Creighton wrote this five star review on Google; “An impressive drive in from the highway – landscaped hills with impressive architectural structures atop them. Lots of parking and amenities. A beautiful interior, gift shop and the bonsai exhibition is beyond amazing. The sole reason I visited in the first place.”
National Zoo and Aquarium
As Australia’s only zoo and aquarium, the National Zoo and Aquarium offers visitors two exceptional attractions.
The zoo features a vast amount of incredible animals to see, including cheetahs, giraffes, the red panda, Tasmanian devils and many, many more.
As well as the variety of land animals, their aquarium is home to a wide range of amazing creatures that live in our rivers and oceans. You can see clown fish, reef sharks, rainbow trout, reptiles, frogs and more.
Melanie Anne wrote this glowing review of the Zoo on Google; “Absolutely fantastic day out. Loved the beautiful, tranquil grounds. Lots of different animals to Taronga Zoo and other zoos I’ve visited. We enjoyed the aquarium. The grounds near the Rhino cafe are stunning and well maintained. Nice food there too. Highly recommend.”
Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
Questacon is the perfect place to take kids to learn about science and technology in a fun and interactive way.
They welcome over 500,000 visitors to their facilities each year, offering a huge range of hands-on science displays and other engaging exhibits to keep people entertained and enjoying themselves.
Local guide summed up Questacon perfectly with this five star review on Google; “Absolutely amazing. The people working here have the best jobs in the continent. Ideal for middle and high school kids but equally good for all ages. You need to spend One whole day here if you are a science enthusiast. Love it. Coming back here once the kids have grown up a little.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most visited place in Canberra?
There are several iconic places in Canberra and some of the most popular are New Parliament House, Australian War Memorial, Questacon and Old Parliament House.
What is Canberra most known for?
Canberra is known as being the capital city of Australia and having a number of historical landmarks. It is also commonly referred to as the The Bush Capital for its array of beautiful nature reserves and mountains, making it a great place to head into nature for a hike or bike ride.
Why should I go to Canberra?
Canberra is a beautiful city full of things to do. It has historical landmarks, museums, mountains, Lake Burley Griffin as well as great food markets, shopping malls, quality restaurants and bars.
What are some special landmarks in Canberra?
As the capital city of Australia, Canberra has a host of special landmarks such as New Parliament House, Old Parliament House, Australian War Memorial and Lake Burley Griffin.
