As Australia’s capital, home to Parliament House and numerous attractions containing the word ‘National’, you could be forgiven for thinking Canberra is a tad too serious for a holiday. Think again! Fun things to do in Canberra weave through the youthful city streets and spill out into the surrounding nature reserves.
Fun things to do in Canberra: CBD
Australian Institute of Sport
Pretend to be an elite athlete, at the Australian Institute of Sport
It’s one of Canberra’s top tourist attractions and little wonder, given the AIS is the training ground for the country’s elite athletes. You can go on a 90 minute guided tour of the precinct for an up-close and personal glimpse into the life of a sporting star, behind the scenes.
A trip to Sportex is included, to get your fill of sporting memorabilia and try interactive exhibits, like wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing, football penalty shootouts and rock climbing. Pop into the AIS Aquatic Centre, which is open to the public at certain times, and pretend you’re training for the Olympics.
Old Bus Depot Markets
The Old Bus Depot Markets display Canberra’s finest treats for your taste buds
Shoppers, get ready for your ultimate idea of fun in Canberra, at the Old Bus Depot Markets. Held every Sunday on the Kingston Foreshore in the industrial, former Transport Depot, the award-winning markets attract thousands of visitors. Splurge on homemade sweets, jewellery, clothes, crafts and flowers, while you soak up the sensory feast.
Musicians and street performers create the all-important vibe, however themed days really bring the fun. Multicultural day is on the first Sunday of each month, with tantalising dishes from around the world. Or, how about Designer Sunday for fashion, or Collectable Sunday for unique treasures?
Parliament House
Who said Australia’s Parliament House couldn’t be fun?
Who knows if the politicians are having fun, but you will, with a visit to Parliament House. Considering this is where members of parliament meet to make decisions for the nation, it’s a pretty awe-inspiring attraction.
As it’s set high up on Capital Hill, you can head to the roof for a bird’s eye view of Canberra and the 81-metre high flag mast. Take a guided tour to see historic documents and Australian art, or watch Question Time to check out the debates.
Museums and Galleries
The National Gallery of Australia’s incredible garden sculptures
Culture is Canberra’s main claim to fame, so museum and gallery hopping is world-class. Questacon, The National Science and Technology Centre, is one of the top things to do in Canberra with kids. They’ll love weird and wonderful interactive exhibits, like challenging a robot to a game of air hockey or freezing their own shadow.
The National Gallery of Australia is set on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, so lucky locals can exercise by incredible artworks in the Sculpture Garden. The galleries include the ‘Blue Poles’ by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly Series by Sidney Nolan. On a visit to the Royal Australian Mint, you’ll see robots make the money that lines your pockets and collections of coins from the past.
Lake Burleigh Griffin
Hang out with the locals, on Lake Burley Griffin
Lake Burleigh Griffin takes centre stage in the city and it’s a hub of action for locals and tourists alike. Head down to the shores as the sun rises to watch hot air balloons float gracefully over the capital and cycle along 40 kilometres of paths.
It’s easy to get out on the serene water, with rowing, kayaking, sailing and fishing on offer. Lunch-time picnics are perfect in the surrounding gardens, or simply relax at a lakeside restaurant for a long, lazy dinner.
Guild Board Game Restaurant
Night life kicks off with your favourite board game, at The Guild. ©Guild Board Game Restaurant
When you’re looking for fun things to do in Canberra at night, the Guild Board Game Restaurant keeps the whole family smiling. Order your drinks, food and desserts and sit back to unleash your inner board game geek, with everything from entrée games, to boss level epics. With the kids, look for favourites including Snakes and Ladders, Scrabble and Guess Who? It’s in the heart of the CBD, so you’ll be close to bars for after-dinner drinks. When it’s time for a rest, Breakfree Capital Tower is too, with rooms for singles, couples and families, plus bonus views over the lake and Parliamentary Triangle.
Fun things to do in Canberra: Nature
National Arboretum
The National Arboretum’s iconic Wide Brown Land sculpture
Nature and art combine at the National Arboretum, with 94 forests to explore. Living collections include the Gallery of Gardens, with a labyrinth inspired by the Notre-Dame Cathedral Labyrinth, the AIDs Garden of Reflection in support of people living with HIV and Mununja the Butterfly Garden, depicting a dreamtime story of the Ngunawal people.
You can walk, drive, cycle and horse-ride across the 250 hectare site, with free tours, interactive displays, a playground, shop, café, picnic areas and iconic outdoor sculptures to discover, along the way. Don’t forget to take a pic with the ‘Wide Brown Land’ sculpture, overlooking the grounds.
Stromlo Forest Park
Adventure-seekers will love the riding trails at Stomlo Forest Park
Perfect for teenagers and everyone with a sense of outdoor adventure, Stromlo Forest Park offers an exciting day out for running, walking, mountain biking, cycling and horse-riding. Or, if you want to let the kids run free, take a picnic and simply enjoy the peaceful bushland.
A bike park caters for beginner to advanced riders, with some tracks used for the 2009 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships. Equestrian trails lead you through pristine bushland and the Criterium Cycling Circuit is a smooth, high quality surface for 1.2 kilometres of riding joy. There’s also a kid’s play area for the littlies and barbeques for lunch.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Chill out and hike in nature, at Tidbinbilla
Animal-lovers flock to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just a short drive from the CBD. Here, you’re sure to spot koalas, possums, kangaroos, reptiles, wallabies and emus, wandering about their natural habitat.
Extensive walking trails weave through eucalypt forests, mountain streams, grasslands and fern gullies. There’s a visitor’s centre with an interpretation gallery, a kiosk, a playground and ranger-guided activities to learn about the wildlife and diverse terrain.
Corin Forest Mountain Resort
Action in summer and winter, at Corin Forest. ©Corin Forest Mountain Resort
No matter what time of the year you visit Canberra, the Corin Forest Mountain Resort is bursting with action, for the whole family. Located in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges, the resort is the city’s winter playground, with skiing, snow-boarding, tobogganing and snowman-building.
When the sun turns up the heat, visitors jump on the exhilarating Alpine Slide to zip through the forest, or pack a picnic for a lazy day near Gibraltar Falls and Square Rock.
Wine Region
Four Winds Vineyard is home to tastings and fun among the vines
With 104 vineyards and more than 30 cellar doors, Canberra’s wine region gets you in the mood for tastings. Winemaking here started about 160 years ago, producing varieties of Sangiovese, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Merlot. Clonakilla, at Murrumbateman, is a family-run, award-winning vineyard, with a cellar door adorned with reclaimed timers, deconstructed wine barrels and a cosy fireplace. Shaw Vineyard Estate is just 30 minutes north of Canberra, with cool climate wines and an Italian-inspired setting. Four Winds Vineyard offers wood-fired pizzas and tastings each weekend, with Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Merlot to try. If you’d prefer a country escape just outside the city, The Nest at Gundaroo offers villas for couples and families, with vineyards close by and the city just half an hour drive away.
Find a room at The Nest
Flights to Canberra
