Canberra / UNPACKED

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.