Top 5 Things to Do in Canberra

Are you looking for the best things to see and do in Canberra? No trip to Canberra would be complete without ticking off these top 5 things to do!

If you’re based in Sydney and looking for a little weekend getaway, Canberra is a great city to take a road trip to. If you’re up for it, you could even do a day trip to Canberra from Sydney.

If you’re planning a trip to Canberra, here are the top 5 things to see & do.

Visit the National Icons, Museums & Galleries

Canberra is well known for its museums, galleries and national icons, and you should definitely try and visit at least a few of them on your trip.

Start out with a visit to Parliament House, the home of Australia’s Parliament, and then walk across to The National Gallery of Australia, which is home to 170,000 works of art. It also has the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the world.

The National Museum of Australia houses the nation’s most popular and important objects, while the National Library of Australia has over 10 million items. Be sure to pay a visit to the Australian War Memorial as well. The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a museum, and an extensive archive, and it commemorates the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war.

Shop at the Weekend Markets

If you’re in Canberra over a weekend, spend a morning at one (or a more!) of Canberra’s markets. You can spend Saturday morning enjoying a delicious breakfast at the Capital Region Farmers Markets, where you can also buy some great fresh produce that comes direct from the growers.

The Haig Park Village Markets are on every Sunday, where you can pick up a bunch of tasty treats and locally made gifts. If you’re in Canberra for the first Sunday of the month, you can also explore the Love Local Markets and the Hartley Hall Markets where you’ll find a mix of produce, arts and craft and homewares.

Visit Braddon

Braddon is a short walk from the city centre, and is home to so many great cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques. Whether you’re after a nice dinner, casual brunch, or just a drink, you’ll definitely be able find at least a few places you’ll love in Braddon!

If you’re in the mood for some shopping in Canberra, be sure to take a walk down Lonsdale Street. It’s in the heart of Braddon and boasts some great independent stores that showcase local creatives.

Explore the Lake

Lake Burley Griffin is located at the heart of Canberra, and there are some beautiful parks and walking paths surrounding it. If you’re into a nice walk or run, there’s a great ‘bridge to bridge’ path around the lake you can follow, stopping for a coffee along the way. If you’re walking, it takes about an hour.

Galleries, museums and parks surround the lake, so it’s definitely worth exploring during your visit to Canberra. On weekends you can also rent a paddle boat and peddle your way across the lake.

Enjoy the Wineries & Breweries

Canberra has three cool-climate wine regions that offer a range of experiences to enjoy, from wine-tasting and fine dining to truffle hunting. Canberra has 140 vineyards and 40 wineries, and many are just a 35 minute drive from the city.

If you’re a wine lover, try the local Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir or Shiraz. For the beer lovers, grab a cold brew from Braddon brewpub BentSpoke Brewing Co (they won first place in the GABS hottest 100 craft beers of 2020). You could also try a speciality brew in the beer garden after a tour of Capital Brewing Co in Fyshwick.

Hopefully we’ve helped you find at least a few things to do in Canberra. Enjoy exploring all the things to do in Australia’s capital city!