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Image of the fern rainforest boardwalk at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, a couple smiling and holding hands, while walking and looking up. | © Pew Pew Studio

Attractions in Canberra

Discover museums, galleries, arboretums, zoos, and more

Canberra is famous for its national museums and galleries, but those in the know also head to local treasures and attractions. Discover a garden that houses one-fifth of Australia's native plant species, a zoo where you can help save endangered animals, and a popular market housed in an old bus depot.

Many attractions are free to enter or offer family prices for an afforadble getaway. Keep an eye out for tours, programs, hands-on activiites, and things to do at each of these attractions. 

Couple walking along path surrounded by large, green ferns.

Visit a rainforest five minutes from the city

A world all its own, the Australian National Botanic Gardens gives you a chance to explore around one fifth of Australia's diverse and spectacular flora in Canberra's bushland setting. 

With over 4,300 plant species set on 35 hectares, it's the only place in the world you can see all this plant diversity in one location. Enjoy a free guided walk, a ride on the Flora Explorer (weekends and public holidays), or treat yourself at the cafe, bookshop, or day spa.

A family looking out over Lake Burley Griffin and the National Arboretum.
Children playing on the Pod Playground at the National Arboretum.
An aerial view of the National Arboretum and its surrounds during either sunrise or sunset.

Take in the view at the National Arboretum Canberra

Breathtaking views of the Canberra skyline across the Brindabellas can be seen from the top of the National Arboretum Canberra

With over 44,000 rare and endangered trees across a 250-hectare site, the Arboretum is a place of beauty, conservation, scientific research, education, tourism and recreation.

Learn from expert guides with Ngala Tours, which combines the cultural and scenic sites within the National Arboretum Canberra to provide insight into Indigenous interpretation of the landscape.

Two women feeding a tree kangaroo
Kid feeding an animal at the zoo

Feed the animals at the National Zoo & Aquarium

Get up close and personal with some of the world's most amazing creatures at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra. Guided tours through the zoo allow you to pat a cheetah, feed a bear, or get friendly with a meerkat during some of the best hands-on animal experiences in Australia.

From lions, tigers, and bears to giraffes, penguins, and monkeys, the Zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals you can interact with, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia.

Woman buying a necklace from a market stall outside.
woman buying oranges from stall with grower
woman holding up jewellry in a mirror

Find some treasures at the Old Bus Depot Markets

You're sure to find something new with each visit to the Old Bus Depot Markets, held every Sunday in Kingston. Fine handcrafted wares, clothing, local and international food, live music, and fresh coffee are just some of the usual suspects that visitors and locals flock for.

Each week you can browse over 200 stalls of exceptional wares created by local and regional makers. Afterwards head next door to visit the Canberra Glassworks where you can see glass artists creating masterpieces in the hot shop, exhibitions, and a beautifully curated gift store.

A family inside Parliament House viewing the chamber.
A view of Parliament House through a canopy of trees and bush.
Young female tour guide shows a young woman in a mobility chair through portraits hung on the walls inside Australian Parliament House.

See democracy in action at Parliament House

High on Capital Hill sits Australia's iconic Australian Parliament House, where you can book a tour for Question Time to see the country's elected politicians make decisions on behalf of the nation in real time. 

Choose between tours of the building's impressive architecture, a visit to the popular Queen's Terrace Cafe, and the chance to see an impressive collection of Australian art that grace the hallways of this historic site.

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A young girl wearing a pointed witches' hat and harry potter robes.

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Mum and daughter looking at portrait of Hugh Jackman.

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Two women sit outside and a man stands and high fives a young boy at the National Museum of Australia.

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Young couple dances in the coloured lights of a live music performance at Smith's Alternative.

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Browse all attractions in Canberra

HTC Vive Machine

VR Canberra

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Mitchell, ACT
towards National Library

Reconciliation Place

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Parkes, ACT
A group of poeple stand outside eating nibbles and drinking champage

PhotoAccess

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Griffith, ACT
Large, colourful paintings by Kubbitji Kngwarreye on exhibition at Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery

Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Nicholls, ACT
Family taking the Australian of the Year Walk. Photo by Jinkyart

Australians of the Year Walk

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Flea Creek campground, Brindabella National Park. Photo: Murray Vanderveer/OEH

Brindabella National Park

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Brindabella, ACT
Friends relaxing in the nature park

Canberra Nature Park

TripAdvisor rating5 reviews
Canberra, ACT
Entering the Gallery from the foyer

Burrunju Art Gallery

TripAdvisor rating5 reviews
Canberra, ACT
We welcome school groups and others, by arrangement. See Phone contacts.

St John's Schoolhouse Museum

TripAdvisor rating5 reviews
Reid, ACT
Merry Muse

Merry Muse Folk Club

TripAdvisor rating4 reviews
Weston Creek, ACT
High view of Murrumbidgee's Golf course, hole number 18

Murrumbidgee Country Club

TripAdvisor rating4 reviews
Kambah, ACT
Gentleman at practice on a stormy day

Canberra Croquet Club

TripAdvisor rating4 reviews
Yarralumla, ACT
Molonglo River

Uriarra Loop

TripAdvisor rating3 reviews
Canberra, ACT
Craft + Design Canberra Shop

Craft + Design Canberra

TripAdvisor rating3 reviews
Canberra, ACT
Reed diffuser, towel and lit candles against a white backdrop.

H2O Medi Spa

TripAdvisor rating3 reviews
Griffith, ACT
The Bible Garden

The Bible Garden

TripAdvisor rating2 reviews
Barton, ACT
front view

The Hellenic Club of Canberra, Woden

TripAdvisor rating317 reviews
Phillip, ACT
NFSA building facade, McCoy Circuit entrance

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

TripAdvisor rating223 reviews
Acton, ACT
Corin Forest as seen by a drone. There are 3 large patches of snow & a small dam surrounded by trees

Corin Forest

TripAdvisor rating206 reviews
Paddy's River, ACT
Erindale Vikings

Erindale Vikings

TripAdvisor rating81 reviews
Wanniassa, ACT
Water Jet and Bronze Globe

Captain James Cook Memorial

TripAdvisor rating68 reviews
Canberra City, ACT
A packed stadium at night

GIO Stadium Canberra

TripAdvisor rating67 reviews
Bruce, ACT
Big Splash slide

Big Splash Waterpark

TripAdvisor rating67 reviews
Macquarie, ACT
Aerial photo

Yarralumla Play Station

TripAdvisor rating62 reviews
Yarralumla, ACT
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