Things to do in Canberra

Activities, attractions and tours
Australian War Memorial featuring a memorial and flowers

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Top places to visit

1. Parliament House

Australia’s Parliament House is the standout structure in the capital. It’s in the very centre of the city and has an impressive 25 hectares (62 acres) of floor space. It’s the work of New York-based architectural firm Mitchell and Giurgola, who beat 329 entrants from 28 countries in a competition run by the Australian Government. Construction started in 1981, and it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988.
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Admire the scale, architecture and artwork of the building where Australia’s politicians make the big decisions.

2. Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is where the country pays its respects to members of the military killed in conflicts around the world. It was completed in 1941 and is dedicated to servicemen and women from the colonial era to today. Inside the memorial complex is a museum with exhibits exploring Australia’s military history.
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Wander the halls of this monument to learn about the battles fought by Australians, see military hardware and admire artworks.

3. National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia documents and interprets the country’s history. It occupies an enormous multicoloured building designed to reflect the different stories of Australia’s past and present. The museum holds thousands of items across dozens of exhibits. They cover everything from Aboriginal history to gold mining, immigration and industrial growth.
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National Museum of Australia featuring interior views

4. National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia is the largest art museum in the country. It’s home to over 160,000 works, including the most extensive collection of Aboriginal art in the world. It also holds traditional and modern works from all around Asia, statues and paintings by European and American masters, and Australian works from the colonial era to the present day.
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National Gallery of Australia featuring interior views

5. Questacon

Questacon is the Australian National Science and Technology Centre. It features a range of exhibits about everything from water, to electricity and light. Most exhibits are targeted at children, but there’s plenty to see and do for adults as well.
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Questacon

Popular places to visit

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Parliament House

Admire the scale, architecture and artwork of the building where Australia’s politicians make the big decisions.

Parliament House
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Australian War Memorial

Wander the halls of this monument to learn about the battles fought by Australians, see military hardware and admire artworks.

Australian War Memorial
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National Museum of Australia

Explore the vast collection of Aboriginal art and artefacts, learn about the country’s colonial past, and see maps, vehicles, weapons and jewellery.

National Museum of Australia
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National Gallery of Australia

Australia’s national gallery has objects from across Asia and the Pacific, European and American works, and indigenous, colonial and contemporary Australian art.

National Gallery of Australia
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Questacon

Join the kids for a day of learning about the wonders of science and technology at Australia’s national science centre.

Questacon
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National Dinosaur Museum

Get to know the giants of prehistoric times at this interesting and educational museum, packed with displays about the unique history of the Australian continent.

National Dinosaur Museum
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Lake Burley Griffin

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Burley Griffin during your travels in Canberra. Wander around the gardens or enjoy the area's restaurants.

Lake Burley Griffin
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Manuka Shopping Centre

Make a stop at this suburban shopping oasis in Canberra’s inner south region, for gourmet foods, fashion, coffee and specialty stores.

Manuka Shopping Centre
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Australian National University

Explore the campus of Australian National University, during your travels in Canberra. Experience the acclaimed art scene and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Australian National University

Areas of Canberra

Australian War Memorial which includes flowers and a memorial

Canberra City Centre

The ample dining options and fantastic lake views are top of the list for many visitors to Canberra City Centre. A stop by Canberra Museum and Gallery or Canberra Theatre Centre might round out your trip.

Canberra City Centre
Kingston which includes modern architecture and a bridge

Kingston

Kingston is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to The Cusack Centre or Lake Burley Griffin.

Kingston
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Queanbeyan

Visitors to Queanbeyan enjoy its bars, and if you want to do some exploring, The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre is worth a stop.

Queanbeyan
Australian War Memorial which includes flowers and a memorial

Northern Canberra

Northern Canberra is known for its popular shops, and you can see some sights in the area like Canberra Museum and Gallery and Civic Square.

Northern Canberra
Braddon which includes outdoor art

Braddon

Abundant dining options and relaxing spas are well-reviewed features of Braddon. Make a stop by top sights like Canberra Contemporary Art Space while you're exploring the area.

Braddon
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Belconnen

Unique features of Belconnen include the shopping and restaurants. Make a stop by Bimbi Beach or Bargang while you're exploring the area.

Belconnen