Canberra Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Canberra’s national institutions sit close together around the lake, making it easy to combine culture, history and the outdoors.

• Parliament House — Explore the home of Australia’s federal parliament, with public galleries, art and a grassy roof offering views.
• Australian War Memorial — A moving museum and memorial telling the story of Australians in war, with a daily closing ceremony.
• National Gallery of Australia — A major art collection including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, beside the lake.
• National Museum of Australia — Stories of the land, its peoples and the nation, on a peninsula in Lake Burley Griffin.
• Lake Burley Griffin — Walk or cycle the shoreline paths, or hire a boat on the water.
• Mount Ainslie Lookout — A classic viewpoint showing the city’s planned axis from the War Memorial to Parliament House.
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve — See kangaroos, koalas and other wildlife in bushland south-west of the city.

Canberra has four distinct seasons. Summers, from December to February, are warm to hot and dry, while winters, from June to August, are crisp with cold, often frosty nights. Spring and autumn bring mild days and the city’s famous seasonal colours.

Spring, from September to November, is a lovely time to visit, when Floriade, a long-running flower festival, fills Commonwealth Park with blooms. Autumn, from March to May, brings golden and red foliage, and the Canberra Balloon Spectacular in March sees hot-air balloons drift over the lake. Pack warm layers in any season, as evenings can be cool.

Canberra Airport is located just east of the city, a short drive from the city centre, Parliamentary Triangle and most hotels. It handles domestic flights across Australia and a limited number of international services.

Taxis and ride-share services are available outside the terminal, and public buses connect the airport with the city centre. Car hire desks are in the terminal, which is useful as Canberra is spread out and many attractions are best reached by car or bike.

Canberra is compact by Australian standards, and most visitors stay close to the city centre or the lake.

• City (Civic) — The central business district, with shops, restaurants and good transport links; ideal for first-time visitors.
• Braddon — A lively neighbourhood of cafés, bars and boutiques, popular with younger travellers and food lovers.
• Barton and Parkes — Near Parliament House and the national institutions, suited to sightseeing and business.
• Kingston and Manuka — Leafy inner-south suburbs with restaurants, shops and lakeside walks.

• Money: Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere; carry a little cash only for occasional small purchases.
• Getting around: Buses and the light rail cover key routes, but hiring a car or bike makes it easier to reach spread-out attractions.
• Weather: UV levels are high even on cool days, so use sun protection, and pack warm clothing for winter nights.
• Driving: Watch out for kangaroos on roads at dawn and dusk, especially on the city’s edges.
• Etiquette: Many national institutions offer free guided tours, and an Acknowledgement of Country is common at events; take time to learn about the Ngunnawal people.