🇦🇺 Australia

10 best places in Canberra

Canberra is Australia's purpose-built capital, wrapped around man-made Lake Burley Griffin, home to world-class national museums, the parliament building, and bike trails through eucalyptus hills.

Museum

Australian War Memorial

One of the world's finest military museums, with sweeping exhibits and a nightly Last Post ceremony.

Sight

Parliament House

A grass-roofed building visitors can walk over, right above the chambers of Australia's parliament.

Museum

National Gallery of Australia

The country's largest collection of Australian and Indigenous art, including a celebrated Jackson Pollock.

Park

Lake Burley Griffin

The city's central artificial lake, ringed by walking and cycling paths and the Captain Cook Memorial fountain.

Museum

National Museum of Australia

Exhibits on the nation's history, Indigenous culture, and landscape on the Acton Peninsula.

Park

Australian National Botanic Gardens

The world's largest living collection of Australian native plants, at the foot of Black Mountain.

Sight

Telstra Tower, Black Mountain

A telecommunications tower with a viewing deck overlooking the whole city and surrounding hills.

District

Kingston Foreshore

A trendy lakeside precinct of brunch cafés, restaurants, and a much-loved Saturday farmers market.

Restaurant

Assaggio

One of Canberra's oldest and most beloved Italian restaurants, in the Griffith district.

Market

Capital Region Farmers Market

A Saturday-morning market for local produce, cheese, and baked goods at Exhibition Park.

FAQ

Is Canberra worth visiting?

For a couple of days, yes, mainly for the national museums and galleries, which are the country's best and often free to enter. It is a planned city, so it is green and spacious but lacks the street life of Sydney or Melbourne. Sydney is about three hours away by car.

Best time to visit Canberra?

Spring, September to November, when the Floriade flower festival runs, and autumn in March and April. Winter is genuinely cold by Australian standards, with frost and morning fog. Summer is hot and dry and occasionally smoky from bushfires.

How many days do you need in Canberra?

Two days cover the War Memorial, Parliament House, the National Gallery, the National Museum and a walk around Lake Burley Griffin. Distances are long, so allow extra time if you rely on buses. A third day makes sense for Namadgi National Park or the nearby wineries.

How do you move to Australia?

The main route is the points-based skilled migration system, which scores age, English, qualifications and work experience, alongside student, employer-sponsored and partner visas. The ACT, where Canberra sits, runs its own nomination stream with its own occupation list. Points, lists and quotas change regularly, so rely only on the official immigration site.