EXPERIENCE AUSTRALIA’S CAPITAL CITY, CANBERRA
Updated 26 Nov 2024
Fly from Los Angeles to Canberra with a tropical stopover in Fiji.
Explore the gateway to the east coast of Australia, Canberra, with its stunning natural beauty, vibrant cultural offerings, and premium experiences. Canberra is the perfect destination to start your unforgettable Australian adventure.
Rich in culture, Canberra is home to the Australian story, playing host to many of the country’s most iconic cultural attractions, museums and galleries including the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Australian Parliament House, National Portrait Gallery, and the Australian Institute of Sport. Together, they tell Australia’s unique story.
Whether you're interested in discovering iconic attractions or immersing yourself in natural wonders, Canberra’s diverse offerings cater to every preference. From family-friendly activities and outdoor adventures to exceptional dining experiences and one-of-a-kind festivals and events; this city promises to impress and inspire.
How to get to Canberra
Accessing Australia’s capital is simpler than ever before. Start your Australian vacation with ease and fly from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas or Vancouver to Canberra with Fiji Airways.
Enjoy a tropical stopover in Fiji, adding a touch of paradise to your journey, and revel in the convenience of direct flights connecting Nadi in Fiji to Canberra.
Getting around Canberra
Canberra is a modern and well-planned city with a range of efficient and convenient transportation options. In fact, two American architects won the competition to design Canberra in 1912.
Getting around is easy, whether you choose to rent a car, take a taxi, or use public transportation such as the bus or light rail. If you're feeling adventurous, bike and e-scooter hire are popular options which can be rented directly from the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre.
Canberra is well-known for being a driveable city with most of its attractions and destinations reachable by car within just a 15-minute drive. Hire a car at Canberra Airport from one of the six rental car companies to explore the surrounding region of national parks and country towns as well as the city.
What to see and do
Nature walks and wildlife spotting
Nestled between mountains and surrounded by bushland, Canberra is a nature lover's paradise. A city in a park, run on 100% renewable energy and with progressive climate change policies, Canberra offers hiking trails, breathtaking views, and the opportunity to see Australia's unique flora and fauna up close.
With more than 70% of Canberra being dedicated parkland and reserves, it’s not unusual to see a kangaroo as you sip on your morning coffee. To spot even more native animals, join the experts from Canberra Guided Tours on the Best of Wildlife Tour, and keep an eye out for wallabies, koalas, platypus, colourful parrots, and emus.
Explore the home of many native Australian animals and plants at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, located just 40 minutes from the city centre. Take a stroll along the easy walking paths, relax in the shade of the towering trees, and enjoy a delightful picnic in one of the many picturesque spots.
Just five minutes from the city centre you can be transported to another world at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Join a passionate and knowledgeable tour guide as you travel through the gardens on the magical Flora Explorer bus to take in the over 4,300 plant species set on 35 hectares throughout this Canberra bushland setting.
Vibrant cultural offerings
Canberra is home to many of Australia’s most iconic cultural attractions, museums and galleries. Each showcases a unique perspective of Australia's story from First Nations history to contemporary times.
See the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the National Gallery of Australia and discover where the big decisions are made at Australian Parliament House. Pay your respects to those we lost at a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial and explore the treasure trove of rare books, maps, manuscripts and photographs at the National Library of Australia.
There are exhibitions, events and experiences to interest anyone at the National Museum of Australia. See famous faces at the National Portrait Gallery and learn about the wonderful world of science at Questacon. Laugh at the best political cartoons of the year at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and watch coins be made at the Royal Australian Mint. Catch a classic film at the National Film and Sound Archive and learn intriguing stories from Australian history at the National Archives of Australia.
Learn about the women and queer people who have shaped Australia’s history on a She Shapes History tour. Or join an Indigenous Tourism Officer for one of Ngala Tours’ Walk on Country experiences at the National Arboretum Canberra to gain a deeper respect and understanding for Aboriginal Traditions and Culture.
Events and festivals
The locals like to celebrate each season in style with a festival or two.
Each spring, over one million flowers bloom at Floriade (September – October), the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Grown in intricate patterns, these floral artworks are lined by market stalls, live music, and horticultural workshops.
In summer, car enthusiasts celebrate supped-up streetcars, compete for the title of National Burnout Master, and admire vintage designs at Summernats (January). Summer is also a key period for blockbuster exhibitions at some of Canberra’s most iconic museums and galleries such as the National Museum of Australia and the National Gallery of Australia.
Every fall, Enlighten Festival (March) takes over Canberra. The national museums and galleries become canvases for digital art at night, at Enlighten Illuminations, with stunning installations and live performances to keep the whole family entertained. Another fall highlight is the Canberra Balloon Spectacular (March), where visitors will wake up to surreal scenes as dozens of hot air balloons float across the capital early in the morning.
In winter, foodies immerse themselves in the truffle season. The prized black Perigord truffle is on the menu at restaurants, cafes, and wineries across the capital thanks to the region’s cool climate growing conditions. Enjoy a paddock-to-plate experience or join a truffle hunt at one of the newest jewels in Canberra’s culinary-experience crown, Beltana Farm.
Unique accommodation
With a range of luxury accommodation, including award-winning boutique hotels and spas, you can immerse yourself in comfort and style while enjoying breathtaking views of the city's natural surroundings.
Canberra is home to a five-star experience at Jamala Wildlife Lodge within the National Zoo & Aquarium, where you can spend the night only meters away from lions, bears, cheetahs, or tigers in the jungle bungalows, or spend the morning on the balcony of the giraffe tree house, as you marvel at the size and beauty of your new giant friend. This incredible and immersive stay also treats guests to two exclusive zoo tours that encounter some of the zoo’s rarest, largest, and most dangerous occupants.
Located just minutes from the airport, the newly opened Beltana Farm beckons visitors with its expansive trufferie boasting over 800 trees. Immerse yourself in the seamless blend of nature's beauty and luxurious comfort as you choose from a range of charming and unique on-site accommodation. The restaurant caters to both truffle enthusiasts and non-truffle lovers alike with an elevated dining menu designed to delight every palate.
If you're looking for accommodation in the heart of the city at one of Australia's most sustainable buildings, Ovolo Nishi is a no-brainer, where every angle of this captivating building provides the perfect photo opportunity.
Lake activities
Canberra is Australia’s largest inland city and at the heart of it is the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin. One of only a handful of planned cities in the world, the lake was an integral part of Chicago-born Walter Burley Griffin’s design for Australia’s capital city, and it is home to an array of the iconic attractions along its shoreline, including galleries, museums, cafes and parks, as well as walking and cycling paths.
Do as the locals do and spend an hour walking the three-mile ‘bridge to bridge’ loop around the lake, spotting lots of iconic sights along the way. Keep an eye out for Australia’s largest musical instrument, the National Carillion, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet which shoots six tonnes of water over 124 yards into the air, and views of the Australian War Memorial.
Enjoy a view of the lake like no other by hiring an eco-friendly electric boat. Choose from GoBoat’s Danish-designed vessels, or the lake’s newest addition, Love Boats. The best part? You get to be the captain – no boat licence necessary.
Family activities
You will be delighted to discover that there are endless activities perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Children will feel like giants as they explore hand-built miniature worlds at Cockington Green Gardens in Gold Creek Village. The Canberra Reptile Zoo, National Dinosaur Museum, and Canberra Walk-in Aviary are all within walking distance – and you can explore all four with a Gold Creek Adventure Ticket.
Canberra hosts one of Australia's best playgrounds, and the whole family is sure to be wowed by its structure. Pod Playground is situated in the National Arboretum Canberra, and is an award-winning attraction with good reason. While children play amongst giant acorn cubbies and music-making instruments, adults will appreciate the sweeping views of the city and the on-site Bonsai Collection, which hosts a world-class display of some of the finest miniature trees and forests in the world.
Families visiting Canberra during winter can play in the snow at Corin Forest, located just a 45-minute drive away from the city centre. In addition to the snowy wonderland, the nearly mile long Alpine Slide is also a popular attraction that can be enjoyed all year round, sending its passengers of all ages zooming at their own pace through a mountain ash forest.
Exceptional dining
Canberrans take their food and drink incredibly seriously. Home to chef-hatted dining experiences and even a World Barista Champion, every meal in Canberra is sure to be one to remember.
The city hosts an array of award-winning restaurants and local favourites like Inka, alongside exceptional vegetarian restaurants like Monster Kitchen and Bar at Ovolo Nishi hotel, which is home to rich aromas, vibrant colours, and local produce full of flavour. Or take in the stunning views of Lake Burley Griffin at Snapper & Co., which offers fresh fish and chips in a relaxed family atmosphere.
Just a 35-minute drive from the city, wine lovers can take their pick of more than 140 vineyards and 40 cellar door experiences on a tour of the Canberra Wine District. Find your new favourite Riesling or Shiraz as you visit cellar doors, meet the makers, and even stay overnight amongst the vines.
Book your trip
Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience all that Canberra has to offer.
Whether you’re drawn to uncovering the city’s rich history and culture, embarking on an outdoor adventure, immersing yourself in vibrant local festivities, or enjoying some of the many premium dining experiences; Canberra’s diverse offerings cater to every preference.
Book your trip to Canberra with About Australia and discover why it is a must-visit destination in Australia. You'll leave with memories destined to last a lifetime.
