Places to Visit in Canberra

Amidst the shore of Lake Burley Griffin lies the National Carillon which is the most iconic structure of Aspen Island. This tower was a gift to Australia from the British government on their 50th birthday back in 1963. This mighty tower stands 50 meters high and has around three sections.

The most striking feature of this tower is the 55 bronze bells that are adorned on it and they range in different sizes making it look even prettier. If you are planning for a fun-filled time with family or friends then you can head out to this place and also stroll around on the well-maintained lawns. Make sure that you visit this place in the moonlight as the tower is lit in the evening and looks beautiful at this time.

Location: Kings Park, Aspen Island, Canberra

Timings: All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Standing high and tall as the most iconic building of Canberra is the: Telstra Tower. This mighty tower stands 195 meters high above the ground and can be easily spotted from the city. It offered a 360-degree view of the entire city and has an observation deck as well.

While there is a closed observation deck there are two other open decks from view you can gape at the panoramic views of the city and also whiff in the fresh air. Apart from this, you can even enjoy a quick meal with your friends & family at its very own cafe which serves local delights. As the tower stands high with an amazing design it has also received several awards and is a must-visit spot in Canberra for a memorable experience. 

Location: 100 Black Mountain Dr, Acton ACT 2601, Australia

Timings: All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Take pride and feel the patriotic vibes at the Australian War Memorial, an amazing one in the array of places to visit in Canberra.  Built back at the time of World War II to pay tribute to the soldiers and citizens who lost their lives, this memorial is worth visiting. Australian War Memorial is not just a war memorial but has a lot more to offer to the visitors like the museum, library, and galleries. The names of the martyrs who lost their lives are engraved in bronze on the walls keeping them still alive.

While the museum still preserves the remains of WWII the galleries have images & paintings that depict the conflicts of that time. Some of the highlights of this place are the Discovery Zone that has interactive displays and a wide collection of aircraft of that time. Make sure that you visit each part of this memorial as the installations will give you a sense of what WWII was for Australia.

Location: Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade), Campbell

Timings: All days, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Snuggled on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin the National Gallery of Australia is an architectural masterpiece. While it marks its presence in the most vibrant places to visit in Canberra it is a treasure for art lovers. The gallery is elegantly designed in a cubic concrete structure and has as many as 11 galleries that showcase a combination of different artworks. It has three levels and a well-manicured garden right in front of the entrance which is inspired by four seasons.

When here you can witness not just the murals, sculptures, and other extensive artworks but also find amusing oil paint & watercolor paintings that will blow your mind away. It even exhibits textiles, sketchbooks, illustrations, book illusions, ceramics, and various other unique things. Make sure that you add this amazing place to your itinerary as it holds an art collection from the early ’60s from different regions of the world.

Location: Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia

Timings: All days, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Vist it early in the morning or in the daytime, this place will never fail to surprise you. Marking its prominence in the spectrum of wildlife places to see in Canberra the National Zoo & Aquarium is a great option for a day out. Here you can take a look at the underwater world right from the small reefs to the huge sharks in the tanks.

Apart from this, you can even experience the wildlife with its wide collection in the Zoo. It features some of the best collections of flora & fauna like the sun bears, red pandas, cheetah, and countless others. It is located in the heart of the city and easily accessible so make sure that you add this place to your itinerary plan!

Location: 999 Lady Denman Drive, Western Creek, Yarralumla

Timings: All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Nestled about a kilometer away from the heart of the city is this nature delight-Australian National Botanic Gardens, which sprawls over 50 hectares of land. These gardens are dotted on the slopes of Black Mountain and feature an exotic collection of Australian flora.

You can also take a look at the water dragons in the lush foliage of gardens. Apart from this, there is the Red center garden that features red earth along with the Children’s Discovery Walk. If you are a birdwatcher, then this place is a haven for you as it boasts a number of avian species. Make sure that you spot the Gallery of gardens, Penjing collection, and the National Bonsai!

Location: Clunies Ross St, Acton ACT 2601, Australia

Timings: All days, 08:30 am to 5:00 pm

A tour to Canberra is incomplete without visiting Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. This center is located between the High court and National Library on the shores of sparkling Lake Burley Griffin. It offers an interactive range of science displays, and you can also indulge in various experiments all by yourself. This place was opened back in 1988 to increase the knowledge of people and is revered by tourists and locals alike.

While visiting this place, make sure to witness the science shows and learning sessions as they are quite informative and tell you about the new innovations happening around the globe. Not only this, but you can also participate in knowledge sharing if you have your own science masterwork. There are various temporary and permanent exhibitions like the H2O Soak, Science room, and several others that you can witness here, where you charge up your brain cells!

Location: King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia

Timings: All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Enjoy an interesting tour of the Canberra Railway Museum, which is situated inside Kingston in the Australian Capital Territory. This museum is one-of-its-kinds and showcases an amazing collection of historic steam locomotives that were used back in the early centuries.

Here you can find the mainline diesel locomotives, steam locomotives, carriages, and countless other engines that were used back in the olden times. Something that you should not miss out on when here is the 140-year-old locomotive 1210 which was the very first train for this capital city in the year 1914. If you have an interest in facts and how engines work, then this is a must-add place for you in the Canberra itinerary.

Location: 7 Geijera Pl, Fyshwick ACT 2604, Australia

Timings: 10:00 am to 03:30 pm only Sunday

One more among the most fun-filled Canberra tourist places is the Mount Majura Vineyard. This place is a pioneer of Australia when it comes to vineyards and is covered with red clay soils. It is known for its production of great quality Riesling and Shiraz wines which are a great success.

This place is not just a vineyard but also has a winery where you sit and sip in some of the best wines of the city. When here you can learn all about the process of winemaking and even contribute a bit to it. Later, you can just explore their cellar, which features a unique sitting experience and stylish interiors. If you are traveling here with your loved one then this a place you should not miss.

Location: 88, Lime Kiln Road, Majura ACT 2609, Australia

Timings: All days, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Among one of the most serene places to see in Canberra is Mount Ainslie that features picture-perfect vistas of nature. The layout of the mount is beautifully crafted to cater to the needs of the visitors. It is located at an elevation of 843 meters above the ground, and one can even take the bird’s eye view of the city with its vantage points.

While tracing this beautiful mountain, you can also witness a wide collection of flora & fauna. There is even a well-paved path to reach the top of the mountain where you can cycle up the trail instead of trekking it. If you are on the lookout for an adventurous yet amazing experience, then trekking this mountain is a great choice. 

Location: Mount Ainslie Drive, Canberra

Timings: All days, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

If you are looking for a place that you can cover quickly then Royal Australian Mint is the place for you. This is the place where you can learn about the heritage of the city and more about the currency of Australia. This place gets its name the Royal Australian Mint as all the coins are minted here.

When here, you can learn about coin manufacturing and take a look at the galleries that showcase the coins from early times. Not only this but you can also get your own coins minted here if they lost their shine. All the coins that are circulated in the entire Australia are manufactured here and it was opened back in 1965. This is a popular tourist destination so make sure you visit it on your Canberra trip.

Location: Denison St, Deakin ACT 2600, Australia

Timings: All days, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm