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.

Located in the Old Parliament building, this museum, unsurprisingly, documents the history of democracy in this coutry. It does so by allowing you to explore several impressive exhibits and the old parliament building, including both the senate and house of representatives chambers, and the prime ministers suite. History is to be found in these halls that governed Australia up until 1988, and it's much bigger and engagaing than you might expect for something focused on politics. There are tours available and things for kids to do too.

Canberra made a fantastic decision when it invited nations around the world to construct embassies in the city by asking them to create designs that are in the traditional style for their country. You can therefore take a drive through three diplomatic estates and feel like you are taking a trip around the world. Such embassies include China, the US, Thailand, Pakistan, and many more - over 40! Start by heading into Yarralumla from Parliament House. Check out this flyer for a map, or click the link below for more info and to find the map linked at the bottom.

There are plenty of tours and special activities to do in Canberra if you are after some expert guiding or a looking to create a memorable day. Options include wine tours, city walking tours (spies or badass women of canbeera, anyone?), food tours, hot air balloon rides, photography, cruising on the lake (inclduing with dinner), 4WD, Helicopter, Aboriginal tours, wildlife, or tours of the city.

Lake Burley Griffin, named for the designer of the city, is the real (but unseen) centrepiece of Canberra. The edges of the lake meander and twist and monument and museum come and go along its path. Canberra is great for cycling, having wide open spaces, lots of parkland, and it's fairly flat. With a hired bicycle, you can enjoy the lake air, the parklands, and take regular breaks at the many sights or drop into a museum or coffee shop. If you do the full loop, it is around 28km and will take at least half a day, depending on how many stops you make. Cycles can be hired at various locations, brought to your hotel, or picked up from Share A Bike stations - more info here.

This city museum is located in the CBD (north side of the lake) and houses exhibits that "celebrates the regions social history and visual arts". It tells stories of Canberra's inhabitants through various objects and includes a collection of Sydney Nolan paintings. Many of the exhibits are temporary, so click through to their website to see what's on. There are several car parks around the area and access to bus stops too.

*Currently closed, but planning to re-open* This NASA run complex (alongside sister sites in Madrid and Goldstone) has a massive dish at it's centre pointing towards the stars that is used to communicate with spacecraft like Voyager. They have a visitor centre you can visit to find out more and see fantastic displays about space exploration and the mars rover, see a moon rock, look at spacecraft models and watch a short movie. It's not a massive display, but if you have any interest in space you should definately make a visit. There is a playground and cafe and it takes around 45min to drive here from Canberra with free parking available.

This decent zoo and aquarium is houses a collection of Austrlain and international animals. This includes lions, hyena, tigers, leopards, giraffe and rhino, whilst the aquarium part includes sharks and tropical reef sepcies. There are a plethora of "encounters" you can experience for an additional fee such as meeting a cheetah, the tiger encounter, or different tours. WILD Night ZooVenture gives you the opportunity to see the animals at night on a tour. If you have a few thousand dollars spare, the Jamala Wildlife Lodge allows you to stay overnight in luxury with windows looking onto Tigers, Giraffe, Lions, Cheetah or Sun Bears. There is no public transport option, but it's only a 10min drive from the centre of Canberra.

The triangle created between Parliament House, Central Canberra, and Kings Avenue is known as the National Triangle, or Parliamentary Triangle, due to the ceremony and important building's housed within it. Whilst we have covered these above, the gardens between the buildings and the lake are worth an exploration in themselves, for both the landscaping, and the many memorials. Look out for Magan Carta Place, the National Rose Garden, Reconciliation Place, Old Parliament Gardens, and north of the lake, Commenwealth Gardens and Kings Park.

The snowy mountains are only a 2hr drive south of Canberra, making the city one of the easiest places to access skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Perisher and Thredbo are the most popular resorts, but there are many others to check out. You can make it there for a day trip, including by tour, or go and stay for a few days if you are keen on snow season. The area is also worth visiting during summer, when you can easily climb Australia's highest mountain, Mt Kosciuszko (see below), mountain bike, hike, 

Aboriginal Australians have long been on the wrong end of historical injustice since the beginning of the colonial era. This unequal treatment continues in some form to this day and, over 50 years ago, a particular flash point led to the occupation of a piece of land next to the old government house as a protest. A beach umbrella was stuck in the ground and a sign for an Aboriginal embassy was erected. Now complemented by tents, they have never been moved and the protest carries on. This is one of the longest running continual protests in the world, so it's worth going to check it out.

Despite the sprawled out nature of Canberra's design, it does actually have a CBD, which is sometimes referred to as "Civic". Located just north of the lake, along the edges of the large hexagon shaped roadway (London Circuit), the CBD is small but packs in the main high street shops, plenty of restaurants, hotels, the civic square, the Ainslie + Gorman Art Centres, the Nancy Sever Art Gallery, and the Canberra Museum & Gallery (see below). There is plenty of parking available and it's also central to the bus network.

30 minutes south of Canberra, this national park gives you an opportunity to walk, camp, mountain bike ride, swin, fish, and more, in beautiful hilly surroundings. Try the Booroomba rocks walks, check out a historic hut, or head to Gibraltar Falls.

This nature reserve gives you an opportunity to see native Australian wildlife, including the rare and wonderful platypus. There are a couple dozen walking trails, both short and long, a playground, picnic and bbq spots, and a visitor centre (currently closed). It's roughly 45 minutes to drive there from Canberra city centre and there are other attractions nearby if you want to combine them into one epic day - Deep Space Communication Complex, Gibraltar Falls, Red Rock Gorge, or Lanyon Homestead.

Mount Kozzie, as it's often called, is the highest point on the continent of Australia. It's about a 3hr drive from Canberra, plus 4 to 5 hours to climb it, so it's a long day. However, due to it's remoteness, Canberra is the closest you may ever get to the mountain. From Thredbo, you take a chairlift to the start of the trail for the 13km return walk. Alternatively, you can walk from Charlotte Pass for an 18.6km return trip taking 6 to 8 hours. This mountain is not huge by international standards, but make sure you read up on conditions and safety tips before heading out there - it can be dangerous, especially in extremely hot or cold conditions.

CCAS is a gallery that has a changing program of interesting contemporary art exhibits from local to international artists. Check their website to confirm it is open and for details of what's on. There are two locations not far from each other close to Parliament House.

This small museum showcases a historic cottage that dates from well before Canberra was chosen as Australia's capital. Built in 1858, this cute brick cottage offers an interesting way to discover how life was like 150 years ago. It is situated right on the edge of the lake and in the centre of the city: the contrast is stiking and lets you appreciate just how much this landscape has been shaped. Open for a few hours on weekends only - check the website to confirm.

This garden, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, is the location of a Japanese and Chinese garden, both of which were donated from Canberra's twin cities - Nara and Beijing. Neither are that big, but they interesting to explore, especially the large entrance gate to the Beijing Garden, and the cherry blossom trees in the Nara Pease Park.

This small installation is mini monument to the monumental magna carta, a document symbolic of democracy and showing the links between Australia and the UK. It was a gift from Britain to mark the centenary of Australia.

th a visitThe Old Bus Depot markets, open on Sunday's, has over 200 stalls selling a large range of products, including local and artisan (also note that the Glassworks is next door, which is worth a visit). Another Sunday market operates at Haig Park, selling fresh produce and handmade products. This is located in Braddon, just north of the CBD, which has boutique shopping and cafes to explore nearby.

Korean war, police, nurses, RAAF, etc

This museum is dedicated to Dinosaurs and a great place to visit for any budding enthusiast, espcially kids. There are plenty of skeletons and models of different dinosaur species, there is a photogenic dinosaur garden, displays about prehistoric life, many fossils, and a shop. It's not a massive place however, so don't get too excited, but it's worth checking out if you have the time and at least a passing interest. Located north of the city, it will take around 20min to drive there or around 1hr on the bus.

This deligtful attraction is great for the whole family. It features a miniature buildings from countries around the world (e.g. Machu Piccchu), miniature steam train rides, gardens, dolls houses, and a cafe and shops. This attraction is part of a wider Gold Creek Village, which includes the Dinosaur museum, /reptile /zoo and walk-in Aviary (see above and below for more info), which can all be experienced on one discounted ticket. It's a 20min dive north of the city centre, or 45min+ via public transport.

This small attraction is exactly what you would expect. It's indoor and has multiple enclosures with all manner of reptiles, from snakes to lizards, and frogs to iguana. This attraction is part of a wider Gold Creek Village, which includes shops, cafes, Cockington gardens, a walk-in Aviary, and Dinosaur museum (see above and below for more info), which can all be experienced on one discounted ticket. It's a 20min dive north of the city centre, or 45min+ via public transport.

This small attraction allows you to enter a world full of free flying birds that you can observe and even feed. There are around 60 different species and 500 individual birds. This attraction is part of a wider Gold Creek Village, which includes shops, cafes, Cockington gardens, a reptile zoo and Dinosaur museum (see above and below for more info), which can all be experienced on one discounted ticket. It's a 20min dive north of the city centre, or 45min+ via public transport.

Canberra is a greta place for winemaking and has over 40 wineries a short drive away from the city. Many of them are open to visitors to sample and buy wine. If you don't want to dive (so you can drink), there are plenty of tours available to take you around to the best spots.

The national library has a 'Treasures Gallery' which is home to some notable objects such as books, maps, paintings, and rare items. This includes items relating to Cooks expedition onboard the Endeavour, photgrpahs of Errol Flyn, an Olympic medal, and photos from the construction of the snowy hydro project. Parking is available on site and there is a bus stop nearby.

The NFSA exhibits some of it's 3 million items of its collection of audiovisual culture. this includes costumes, props, photos, and of course lots of recordings. They have a library, a cinema with various screenings available to enjoy, and a cafe. Take a look at their website to see what exhitbit is currently on display.

Located in the heart of the capital, the high court is the highest court in Australia. You can visit the great hall, which includes exhibits about the court and the constition, or one of the courts where you can watch proceedings. Court guides are available to explain the history and role of the court. Only open on weekdays.

The National Archives are dedicated to recording and managing the preservation of government records. In their Canberra building, located opposite Parliament House, they have two permanent exhibitions, Connection and Voices: Federation, democracy and the Constitution, highlighting stories from the collection. There is also a cafe and research centre on site.

Red Hill lookout, south of the city centre's edge, and Mount Pleasant lookout, just to the east of Lake Burley Griffin, are the two other lookout's that give you a good view of the city beyond the Telstra Tower and Mount Ainslie (see above). Red Hill lookout has a cafe at the top. There are several other high points across the rolling hills that surround Canberra you can climb up, including Mt Painter, Mt Majura, and Mt Taylor.

The CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, has a small discovery centre where you can find an interactive journey through Australia's science history, research and technology. Some of the innovations include WiFi and plastic banknotes. They have plenty for kids to enjoy, including a QR code hunt and lots to interact with. Only open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday's.

This cute country village offers a respite from the city sightseeing with small walkable centre with some shops, cafe's, and a wood working gallery. Not far away, you can find the Lark Hill winery and Turalla Truffles. It's about a 30min drive east of Canberra to get there, or a 40min train ride.

Each year Australia has a designated 'Australian of the year', which is usually someone who has achieved outstanding success in the community and are an inspiring advocate for a particular social issue. To commemorate this achievement, each person gets a plaque along this walkway on the edge of lake Burley Griffin. The walk is on the southern side of the lake next to the main bridge on Commonwealth Avenue.

*Currently closed for renovations* This towering monument stands proudly on a small island of Lake Burley Griffin. It houses 57 bronze bells that a Carillonist plays through a keyboard and an automatic system that chimes every quater hour. The recitals usually take place every Wednesday and Sunday. There is a small car park available opposite the footbridge to the island.

Geoscience Australia is a government entity that provides various scientific advice and research on the physical envionment. You can visit their building to explore the exhbits of fossils, rocks (even moon rocks!), earthquakes, and lots of hands-on exhibits in the education centre. Outside is a geological TimeWalk and they also have a cafe. It is a 10min drive south of the city and has free parking. Note that it is only open on weekdays.

On selected nights, you can take a short 20min drive up to Mt Stromlo observatory and take part in public astronomy nights to get an insight into the night sky above us, or take in a guided walking tour. They also have a heritage trail that you can explore yourself to discover the history of the site, from world war 2 to it's use today by the Australian National University. You also get a spectaular view over Canberra.

The sanctuary, home to many reintroduced species, is a great place to explore the bush. It is home to Bettong's, Quoll's, Echidna, and may birds, and they are all protected by cat and fox proof fencing. You can begin at the Wildbark visitor centre and then simply take a stroll along their many walking tracks, keeping an eye out for wildlife. Alternatively, you can take a tour, check out the woolshed, or go on a bike ride. The sanctuary is located a 20min drive north of the city, or 50 minutes by bus.

Each spring, from September to October (check their website to confirm opening dates), the tulips rise within this garden a 25 minute drive north east of Canberra. They sometimes have live music on alongside dutch pancakes, and perhaps wine tasting or creative arts. It's like a mini festival. They also have a cafe, gift shop and nursery, and it's dog friendly.

The AIS in Canberra allows visitors to come and take a 90min tour (at selected times - check their website) to view the facilites, perhaps see some top athletes training, and take on the Sportex challenege, an interactive exhibit, and see some sporting memorabilia. They also have a shop and a cafe. It is located 15 minutes north of the city centre by car or 30 minutes by bus.

Located in NSW, just 30 minute drive from Canberra, Brindabella is great for walking, camping, 4WDriving, and fishing.

Close to the city centre, you can visit this wetlands ecosystem to observe the birdlife and take a nice walk around three different loops. It is only a 10 minute drive east of parliament house.

This small museum showcases a handful of steam locomotives and various carriges that you can explore inside and out, with . Many of the trains provide a connection to Australian history, which is described in the visitor centre. Note that they only open on Sunday's, but they do also host special events and days out riding historic trains.

*Currently closed* Part of Namagdi National Park, this picturesque waterfall offers a lovely reason to get out of the city and go for a short walk amongst some trees. It is located about a 40 minute drive south of the city and could be combined with a visit to the Deep Space Communication Complex, Tidbinbilla, Red Rock Gorge, or Lanyon Homestead (see above and below).

Besides the Lake Burley Griffin and the various parks and nature reserves already covered (see above), there are a few other lakes and parks that you might want to explore. Lake Ginninderra and Lake Tuggeranong are the two other big lakes in the city, and Lake George is located about 30 minutes drive away - see this link for details - canberra.com.au/lakes-of-canberra. Canberra Nature Park is the name for 39 different reserves of native bushland throughout Canberra that can be explored. Click the link below for more info.

This spectacular gorge looks out of place in Canberra, with it's giant red cliffs sticking out like something from wilder parts of Australia. To get to the gorge requires a walk that should be a couple of hours return through some lovely bushland as part of the Kambah Centenary Trail. Park at the trail parking area, a 20 minute drive from the city.

Cotter Dam was orginally built in 1915 and then raised twice since. Within the Cotter Avenue area you can find spots for a picnic, BBQ's, a playground, camping, fishing, and a few walking tracks, including the 1km return track to view the dam.

Field after field of Canola creates a surreal image as the yellow plant rolls over the hills and fills your view. Take a drive out of the city, for about an hour and half, to Binnalong, and you can find such fields to enjoy as you drive by or stop to take a few photos (but don't tresspass or park dangerously). If you want more of this, you can drive a further hour to Temora for the Canola Trail.

This small lake naturally turns pink when in bloom due to the native aquatic microfern that grows on it. The result is striking and makes for a great photo. The lake is located 15 minutes drive by car or 20 minutes by bus north of the city centre.

Along the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, this 2km walkway has four plaques and a statue dedicated to Sir Robert Menzies, who was instrumental in the development of Canberra as Australia's capital city.

This historic homestead is set in beautiful countryside about half an hour south of Canberra. You can explore the gardens, the outbuildings, and the main house on a tour. The gardens are free to visit. Only open Wednesday to Sunday, and there is a bar/cafe on site.

This small cottage from the 1850's, filled with period furnishings, can be visited on a tour only when open on saturday's. They also have a couple of exhibits. It is located a 15 minute drive south of Canberra.

This house is from the 1920's and gives a window into life during that period in Australia, complete with furnishings and household items. Only open on Saturdays via a tour. It is located a 10 minute drive south of the city.

This small museum shows off the historic schoolhouse that opened in the 1840's and closed in 1907, giving a nice little slice of preserved history. It is part of a wider site that includes and anglican church. They only open for a couple of hours on Wednesdays and weekends. Chek their site to confirm.

This small casino, located in the CBD, is nothing special compared to casino's in other Aussie cities, but if you find gambling fun and you want a night out, it's a reasonable offering and has over 30 playing tables.