Canberra / UNPACKED

This museum, housed in a wonderful contemporary building on a peninsula jutting out into Lake Burley Griffin, is essentially the national version of the state museums found in the capital cities, but with a much more diverse collection. It has displays relating to Australian history including - cars, war, Aboriginal culture, a paddle steamer, sport, migration, colonial history, and more. There is a shop and cafe on site. Temporary exhibitions are also held that may require a paid ticket for entry. Parking is charged during the week but the museum can be accessed by bus.

At the heart of the city is Parliament House, the building where all federal political decisions are made and debated. Australia's parliament house is rare compared to the rest of the world in that you can walk right up to it and even go inside for a wander around (after a security check). If parliament is sitting, you can enter the public gallery to watch. Otherwise, look at the architecture, the portraits of past prime ministers, or the exhibitions. Several tours are available. There is a shop and cafe on site too.

This extensive gallery features an incredible collection of Australian art, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, with works ranging from traditional bark paintings to contemporary pieces. There is a sculpture garden to explore, a beautiful Aboriginal memorial, and notable works by international artists including Monet and Jackson Pollack. Major temporary exhibitions are held (sometimes with an entry fee attached), guided tours are available, and there is a shop and cafe. Paid underground parking is available, or you can get there on the bus with a stop a few minutes walk away.

To the north west of the city, up a winding road on Black mountain, is this communications tower that doubles up as an observatory, giving you a great view over the planned city. There are indoor and outdoor viewing platforms, a cafe, a shop, and a Telstra Heritage Exhibition. There are some walks across Black Mountain and at the base is the botanic gardens (see below), so you can easily join the two up across a morning or afternoon. Free parking is available at the top. Public transport is not available, but if you like hiking you can walk up there from the botanic gardens or Actew substation.

This complex is a memorial and museum in one. Centre to the site is the memorial which includes the commemorative area, the tomb of the unknown soldier, the names of 102,000 men who have died in war, and the hall of memory. There are exhibits on world war one and two, post 1945 conflicts, Afganistan, and the holocaust. The displays are impressive and include small boats, vehicles and aircraft in the Aircraft Hall. At the front of the memorial, there is a view down ANZAC parade, perfectly aligned to Parliament House, and to the side is a sculpture garden. Audio or Auslan Tours are available for an extra $10 and there is a cafe on site. On site parking is available and the site can be accessed by bus too.

This art museum houses the national collection of portraits, from the "Famous to notorious, remarkable to glorious". These range from traditional portraits of well known historical figures to contemporary paintings, scultures and photos of famous people such as Hugh Jackman, David Gulpilil, or Cate Blanchett. Temporary exhibits (paid entry fees apply) are held, and there is a cafe and a shop. Paid underground parking is available and you can also access the site by bus.

The Australian National Botanic Gardens sits at the base of Black mountain (where the Telstra Tower is - see above) and it's a wonderful heritage listed garden that was established in 1949. It includes several different zones such as the rainforest, red centre, banksia garden, the rock garden, and the Asteraceae (daisy) garden. There is a visitor centre, cafe, botanical bookshop, and even a spa. Tours are available, including on a small electric bus that is great for people who cannot handle too much walking ($8). Paid parking is available, or you can get there on the bus.

Mount Ainslie lies directly behind the Australian War Memorial (see above) as you look at it along Anzac parade from Parliament House. There is a lookout at the top that gives you a great view over the city. To get there, you can drive up to the top, or you can opt to cycle or walk through the bushland too.

Canberra is a planned city, designed from scratch by Walter Burley Griffin, including the lake that is named after him. This exhibit includes a model of the city to peer over and information about the history of the cit, a brief film, and interactive displays showing the different designs of Canberra and it's evolution over time. Free guided tours available at 11am each day. Paid parking is available, as are nearby bus stops.

The National Science and Technology Centre is a science museum that is particularly good for kids. It has galleries on space and mars, hands on exhibits, Awesome Earth, and Fundamental (classic science exhibits). There is also a science garden, bee hives, science shows (for kids), a cafe and a shop. Parking is available and bus stops are nearby.

This cultural and heritage site is where money is made. You can see the factory floor where coins are produced, watch a short film about the institutions history and view the gallery of rare and significant coins. There is a cafe on site and a shop that sells souvenirs and special collectable coins. The Mint is located south west of the city's edge, just a 5min drive from Parliament House. There is also a bus stop nearby.

This centre is home to a mesmerizing landscape of twisting terraces that is home to over 44,000 endangered trees across a massive 250 acre site. Amongst the many trees you can find gardens, a lookout point with a great view of Canberra, the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, and a Bonsai collection. The Village Centre, a fantastic piece of architecture, is where you should begin. It is where you can get all the info you need and has a cafe and gift shop. From here, you can set out on many walking trails, head for the Forest Sculpture Gallery, take the kids to the playground, or get on your bicyle.