Canberra
Australia's Designed Capital
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Australia's purpose-built capital, designed in 1913 by Walter and Marion Griffin around an artificial lake. Home to the National Gallery, the Australian War Memorial, and the federal parliament.
Canberra was carved out of New South Wales as a compromise capital between the rival cities of Sydney and Melbourne. The Griffin plan organised the city around Lake Burley Griffin and the Parliamentary Triangle, with broad ceremonial avenues and circular street patterns at every node.
The national institutions are clustered south of the lake: Parliament House (built into Capital Hill), the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library, the National Portrait Gallery, the High Court, and the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House. The Australian War Memorial sits north of the lake at the head of Anzac Parade.
Canberra has a continental climate. Spring brings the Floriade flower festival and autumn turns the planted exotic trees deep red and gold. Winter is genuinely cold (snow on the surrounding ranges) and summer can be hot. The Brindabella Ranges are visible from most of the city and are the closest snowfields to Sydney.
Tourist locations
Places to visit in Canberra.
21 locations to explore
Australian Institute of Sport
Inside Australia's sporting engine
$21.50 adult
Full guide arrow_forwardAustralian National Botanic Gardens
Living collection of native flora
Free (parking fees apply)
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Australian War Memorial
A Combined Memorial, Museum and Archive of the Australian War Experience
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardCanberra Reptile Zoo
Scaled, slithery and fascinating
Adult $25, Child (4-16) $15, Family $70, Concession $18. Under 4s free.
Full guide arrow_forwardCockington Green Gardens
A world in miniature
$25 adult
Full guide arrow_forwardLake Burley Griffin and the National Carillon
Bells over the capital's lake
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardLanyon Homestead
Colonial history in pastoral splendour
Garden entry free. House tour: Adult $12, Concession $10, Children under 12 free, Family $35.
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Mount Ainslie
The Best View of the National Capital
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardMount Stromlo Observatory
Stargazing and science above Canberra
Free.
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National Arboretum Canberra
94 Forests of Rare and Endangered Trees from Around the World
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Dinosaur Museum
Fossils, giants and prehistoric wonder
Adult $25, Child (4-16) $15, Family $75, Concession $18. Under 4s free.
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Film and Sound Archive
Australia's screen and sound heritage
Free. Cinema screenings and special events are ticketed separately.
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National Gallery of Australia
The national art collection on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin
Free for permanent collection
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Library of Australia
Treasures of the nation's story
Free. Some special exhibitions may be ticketed.
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Museum of Australia
Stories of land and people
Free (charges apply for some special exhibitions)
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Portrait Gallery
Faces of a nation
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardNational Zoo and Aquarium Canberra
Australia's big cats capital
$60 adult (online), $62 adult (gate)
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Old Parliament House
Where Australian democracy was shaped from 1927 to 1988
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardParliament House
See democracy in action
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardQuestacon - The National Science and Technology Centre
Hands-on science for everyone
Adult $23, child (4-17) $17.50, family $70
Full guide arrow_forwardRoyal Australian Mint
Watch money being made
Free
Full guide arrow_forwardWhere to stay
Holiday parks near Canberra.
2 options via our booking partner
Canberra Holiday Village
6.4km away
Eaglehawk Holiday Park Canberra
11.6km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Things to do
Recommended Experiences
10 bookable experiences at or near Canberra.
What's on
Events at Canberra.
Scenic views
Lookouts near Canberra.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content (1)
Images (3)
- ANZAC Parade from the Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT.... · Thennicke · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Australian House of Representatives - Parliament of Australi... · JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Canberra (AU), Commonwealth Avenue Bridge -- 2019 -- 1811.jp... · Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
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