Things to do in South Canberra

Activities, attractions and tours

LET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOW IN CANBERRA. It seems that Canberra has the creative edge. From driving the streets to walking through gardens, there is something to admire and appreciate. With pockets of new housing developments (architecturally designed) to sculptures and works of art, not to forget all the memorials around this fine city… Canberra has it all and more. For me personally, the next greatest enjoyment, second to travel is appreciating all forms of art. A random cyclist stopped to ask me my thoughts on the piece I was photographing … his words were ‘organic in form’ and ‘sublime’. Words which he felt the piece reflected. I too thought the same yet to others it may just be some metal strips and a brown lump with no form or connection. On closer inspection, the sculptural piece has another purpose. Utilising the wind, it would sing softly and only when close, you can hear its voice. A piece of art or a sculpture can speak volumes and it can reflect on history reminding us of mistakes we hope to learn from. It can also be a simple piece which stands out as a funky inanimate object. I loved the giant pot plants outside the Beaver Gallery. Other pieces I enjoyed were in the sculptural gardens outside Questacon. Whatever your taste, it’s a place to be free in thought. ‪#‎Canberra‬#sculptures#art#appreciation
LET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOW IN CANBERRA. It seems that Canberra has the creative edge. From driving the streets to walking through gardens, there is something to admire and appreciate. With pockets of new housing developments (architecturally designed) to sculptures and works of art, not to forget all the memorials around this fine city… Canberra has it all and more. For me personally, the next greatest enjoyment, second to travel is appreciating all forms of art. A random cyclist stopped to ask me my thoughts on the piece I was photographing … his words were ‘organic in form’ and ‘sublime’. Words which he felt the piece reflected. I too thought the same yet to others it may just be some metal strips and a brown lump with no form or connection. On closer inspection, the sculptural piece has another purpose. Utilising the wind, it would sing softly and only when close, you can hear its voice. A piece of art or a sculpture can speak volumes and it can reflect on history reminding us of mistakes we hope to learn from. It can also be a simple piece which stands out as a funky inanimate object. I loved the giant pot plants outside the Beaver Gallery. Other pieces I enjoyed were in the sculptural gardens outside Questacon. Whatever your taste, it’s a place to be free in thought. ‪#‎Canberra‬#sculptures#art#appreciation
LET THE CREATIVE JUICES FLOW IN CANBERRA. It seems that Canberra has the creative edge. For me personally, the next greatest enjoyment, second to travel is appreciating all forms of art. A random cyclist stopped to ask me my thoughts on the piece I was photographing … his words were ‘organic in form’ and ‘sublime’. Words which he felt the piece reflected. I too thought the same yet to others it may just be some metal strips and a brown lump with no form or connection. On closer inspection, the sculptural piece has another purpose. Utilising the wind, it would sing softly and only when close, you can hear its voice. A piece of art or a sculpture can speak volumes and it can reflect on history reminding us of mistakes we hope to learn from. It can also be a simple piece which stands out as a funky inanimate object. I loved the giant pot plants outside the Beaver Gallery. Other pieces I enjoyed were in the sculptural gardens outside Questacon. Whatever your taste, it’s a place to be free in thought. ‪#‎Canberra‬#sculptures#art#appreciation
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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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Parliament House which includes a sunset and an administrative buidling

2. 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 showing interior views

3. 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 which includes interior views as well as an individual male

4. Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House was constructed in the 1920s as a provisional base for the national parliament. It was designed in a stripped classical style with little ornamentation, but is decorated with numerous artworks and Australian timber panelling. Today it’s home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, hosting exhibits about the evolution and workings of the Australian political system.
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Old Parliament House featuring an administrative buidling, heritage architecture and interior views

5. Manuka Shopping Centre

Experience a friendly village atmosphere at Manuka Shopping Centre, which provides interesting outlets for everyday needs, entertainment and luxuries all in one location. Visit for essential services and stay for the restaurants, fashion and gift shops, all in close proximity to Canberra’s major attractions.
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Manuka Shopping Centre which includes autumn leaves and signage

6. National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia is the most comprehensive reference library in the country. It was formed as the National Parliamentary Library in 1901 and became the National Library in 1960. Its collection includes Asian literary works and documents, rare books and manuscripts, photographs, maps, paintings, music and video.
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Autumn is quite a spectacular affair in Canberra as the deep reds, oranges and yellows creep into the foliage with earnest on a backdrop of the rich gold colour of the grass plains after another hot summer. Canberra comes alive for ten days and celebrates the coming of autumn with the Enlighten Festival, which literally lights up the Parliamentary Triangle. The first week in March is the time to visit. The Enlighten Festival is a must, with food, street performers, architectural projections, music, film and more to absorb over the 10 days.

7. Royal Australian Mint

The Royal Australian Mint was opened in 1965 by Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh ahead of the introduction of the new Australian dollar in 1966. The mint makes every single coin in circulation as well as medallions and commemorative tokens. It does not produce notes; these are produced at Note Printing Australia.
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Royal Australian Mint featuring interior views as well as a small group of people

What to do in South Canberra

Popular places to visit

Parliament House which includes a sunset and an administrative buidling

Parliament House

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

Parliament House
National Gallery of Australia featuring interior views

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
Questacon

Questacon

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

Questacon
Old Parliament House

Old Parliament House

Tour this building to see where Australian politicians met and debated for over 60 years and learn about the history and workings of Australian democracy.

Old Parliament House
Manuka Shopping Centre which includes fall colors and street scenes

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
National Library of Australia

National Library of Australia

Explore the collections of Australia’s biggest reference library to find books from all over the world, early European maps and documents from the first explorers.

National Library of Australia
Royal Australian Mint showing interior views as well as a large group of people

Royal Australian Mint

Visit the building where every single coin in the country is made, learn about the production process and browse through a huge collection of coins.

Royal Australian Mint
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Weston Park

Weston Park is just one of the places to see in Canberra, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Amble around this romantic area's lakeside and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Weston Park
National Portrait Gallery showing art and interior views

National Portrait Gallery

The vast collection of intimate portraits of people famous and otherwise is illuminated by as much natural light as possible in an elegantly designed setting.

National Portrait Gallery

Areas of South Canberra

Kingston featuring a bridge and modern architecture

Kingston

The buildings of this foreshore, once a Canberra industrial hub, have been transformed into a welcoming urban lakeside community.

Kingston
Spring is here 😎

Narrabundah

You'll appreciate the restaurants during your time in Narrabundah and you might want to plan a stop by Manuka Oval and Manuka Shopping Centre while you're in the area.

Narrabundah
Manuka Shopping Centre showing autumn leaves

Griffith

Griffith is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Manuka Shopping Centre and Manuka Oval while in the area.

Griffith
Parliament House featuring an administrative buidling

Capital Hill

The grassy rise of Capital Hill is Canberra’s crowning feature. The perfectly circular hilltop locale is the core from which the rest of the city radiates.

Capital Hill
Manuka Shopping Centre showing autumn leaves

Manuka

If you're spending some time in Manuka, Manuka Shopping Centre and Manuka Oval are top sights worth seeing.

Manuka
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Forrest

Check out the restaurants, shopping, and forests while spending some time in Forrest. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighborhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like Manuka Shopping Centre or Manuka Oval.

Forrest