Book flights to Canberra (CBR)

Book your visit to Canberra

Canberra is one of Australia’s gems. It feels surprisingly relaxed and laid-back for a capital city. It’s packed full of historical buildings, parks and open spaces. And there’s natural beauty just a 45-minute drive from the city centre with waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Canberra’s museums and galleries are crammed with internationally renowned exhibits, while the culture of the local Ngunnawal people is yours to discover.

Canberra’s free-spiritedness is celebrated in festivals and events, and the food is a gastronome’s dream. There are restaurants serving dishes from all around the world and a bustling street food scene. And for retail lovers, there’s no shortage of markets, malls, antique stores and boutiques to visit.

Things to do in Canberra

Some of Australia’s most important museums and cultural attractions are in Canberra, including the National Gallery of Australia. Here you’ll find the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art on the continent.

The city is renowned for glassmaking, and you can watch the masters at work at Canberra Glassworks. If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at glassmaking, the centre holds classes and workshops that will help unleash your creativity.

Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin is a wonderful day out for the whole family. Here, you can sail on the lake or sit underneath a shady tree for a picnic.

A 10-minute drive takes you to Majura Pines Park, where you’ll find a plethora of treetop obstacles to enjoy including zip lines and aerial walkways. Try to spot some of the, native birds like kookaburras.

Activities in Canberra

Hire a bicycle and cycle the classic ‘Bridge to Bridge’ around Lake Burley Griffin, a 5-kilometre trail that gives you some amazing views of the city. Along the way, stop and enjoy the lakeside galleries and grab an ice cream from one of the vendors. Make sure to hop over to Aspen Island and visit one of Canberra’s most important landmarks, the National Carillion. This tower was gifted to the Australian people and houses 57 bronze bells that are often rung to celebrate special occasions.

Just 6 kilometres from the city centre is the National Arboretum, filled with over 44,000 rare trees. You can even take a horse ride through the forest or hop on a bus tour.

To embrace the café culture of Canberra, take a stroll around Braddon, a cool suburb filled with coffeehouses, a lively farmer’s market and plenty of boutiques to browse.

Food in Canberra

Like any capital city, Canberra is filled with dining options. Canberra’s large Asian community makes it one of the best places in Australia to find Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean food. You’ll find some of the best Vietnamese food in the suburb of Griffith, while many of the most popular Chinese restaurants are situated in the Dickson area and Northbourne Avenue.

Griffith is also known for its high-end dining, with everything from Turkish and classic Italian, to French cuisine on offer. For dinner with a view, head to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in time for sunset.

If you want the best burger in Canberra, head to Wentworth Avenue, just behind Canberra Glassworks, and look out for a little red caravan with a very long queue!

Shopping in Canberra

Love shopping? Canberra’s the city for you. For some trendy boutique shopping, Manuka is your go-to. It has everything from big brands to fashion labels exclusive to Canberra, as well as jewellery and ceramics.

Canberra’s weekend markets are filled with stalls offering artisanal crafts, deli delights, and more. The Hall Showground is home to the monthly Hall Markets, held on the first Sunday of every month. Be sure to check out Braddon, where you’ll not only find the hugely popular Lonsdale Street (popular for its boutiques and craft stores), but you can also wander the Haig Park Village Markets, hosted here every Sunday.

Canberra is also home to many modern malls, where you can browse retail, dining and entertainment options in air-conditioned comfort.