Canberra, Australia: Travel Guide to the Nation's Capital

Canberra, the capital of Australia, is a planned city set around a beautiful lake in the Australian Capital Territory, between Sydney and Melbourne. Chosen as a compromise between the two rival cities, it was designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who won an international competition in 1912. Canberra is home to the country's most important national institutions, many of them free, as well as green parks, nature reserves and a growing food and wine scene.

Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Canberra

1. Parliament House

Parliament House, opened in 1988, is one of the most impressive modern buildings in Australia. Built into Capital Hill, it's topped by a grass-covered roof and a giant 81-metre stainless-steel flagpole, symbolising that the people stand above their government. Inside, visitors can admire Australian art and craft, including a huge tapestry in the Great Hall, and watch debates in the House of Representatives and the Senate, especially during the lively Question Time. Free guided tours explain how Australia's parliamentary democracy works.

Booking tip: entry and tours are free; check the sitting calendar to watch Question Time. A Canberra city tour on GetYourGuide covers Parliament House and other highlights.

2. Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial, opened in 1941, is one of the most significant memorials in the world and combines a shrine, a museum and an archive. Its galleries tell the stories of Australians at war, from Gallipoli to recent conflicts, with aircraft, dioramas and personal belongings. The Roll of Honour lists the names of more than 100,000 Australians who died in service, and visitors place red poppies beside the names. Every afternoon, the moving Last Post Ceremony honours the story of one individual.

Booking tip: entry is free; attend the Last Post Ceremony, held daily shortly before closing time.

3. National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery

The National Gallery of Australia houses the country's national art collection, with more than 150,000 works. Highlights include the Aboriginal Memorial, an installation of 200 painted hollow log coffins commemorating Indigenous Australians who died defending their land, and Jackson Pollock's famous Blue Poles. The sculpture garden is perfect for a stroll. Next door, the National Portrait Gallery displays portraits of famous Australians.

Booking tip: entry to the permanent collections is free.

4. Lake Burley Griffin, Old Parliament House and Questacon

Lake Burley Griffin, created in 1963, is the centrepiece of Canberra, surrounded by walking and cycling paths. The Captain Cook Memorial Jet shoots water up to 147 metres high. On the lakeshore, Old Parliament House, the seat of parliament from 1927 to 1988, now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. In front of it, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, established in 1972, is a symbol of the struggle for Aboriginal land rights. Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, is popular with families.

Booking tip: hire a bike to circle the lake.

5. Mount Ainslie, Tidbinbilla and Wineries

Mount Ainslie Lookout offers the classic view of Canberra's design, looking straight along the land axis from the War Memorial across the lake to Parliament House. The National Arboretum, planted after the 2003 bushfires, has forests of rare trees from around the world and sweeping views, while the Australian National Botanic Gardens showcase native plants. About 40 minutes away, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is home to kangaroos, koalas, emus and platypus in their natural habitat. North of the city, the Canberra District wine region, around Murrumbateman, is known for elegant cool-climate Riesling and Shiraz Viognier, with small family-run cellar doors.

Booking tip: wine tours can be booked on GetYourGuide.

Practical Travel Tips for Canberra

Before You Go

• Entry: most visitors need an ETA or eVisitor visa before travelling to Australia.
• Weather: Canberra has four distinct seasons, with cold winter nights.

Getting Around

• By air: Canberra Airport is about 10 minutes from the city centre.
• By road: Canberra is about three hours' drive from Sydney.
• Light rail and buses: connect the city centre and suburbs.
• Money: the currency is the Australian dollar.

Local Culinary Specialties

• Truffles: the Canberra region produces black truffles in winter.
• Cool-climate wines: Riesling and Shiraz Viognier.
• Modern Australian cuisine: in the Braddon and Kingston districts.

Best Time to Visit

• March–May: crisp days and spectacular autumn colours.
• March: the Enlighten Festival, with illuminated buildings, and the Canberra Balloon Spectacular.
• September–October: the Floriade spring flower festival in Commonwealth Park.
• June–August: cold winters, ideal for truffle hunting.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Canberra

Canberra combines national history, world-class museums and natural beauty. Whether you're watching Question Time at Parliament House, attending the Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial or cycling around Lake Burley Griffin, Australia's capital offers a fascinating insight into the nation.

Plan ahead: book your tours on GetYourGuide, and get ready to discover Australia's capital.