Canberra’s National Attractions

Australian War Memorial

Bringing together a world-class museum, a shrine and an extensive archive, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is a moving and insightful experience for both young and old. Discover the diverse Australian experiences of war and connect with the stories of people and events that shaped Australia.

With the purpose of commemorating the sacrifice of Australians who have died in war, the Memorial is a place to pay your respects and discover what it means to be Australian.

Ninety minute guided tour available at 10 am, 10.15 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm and 2 pm daily.

For more information, please visit the Australian War Memorial website.

Parliament House

See democracy in action at Australia’s iconic Parliament House high on Capital Hill. During Question Time see the country’s elected politicians make the big decisions on behalf of the nation.

Take a guided tour, visit the popular Queen's Terrace Cafe, view historic documents and see an impressive collection of Australian art including one of the world’s largest tapestries based on an Arthur Boyd design.

There are plenty of things to see and do during your visit to Parliament House. You're welcome to explore all of the public areas at your leisure, including the most significant features of the building such as the roof, the Marble Foyer and the Great Hall, and of course, you can watch the House of Representatives and the Senate from the galleries.

For more information, please visit the Parliament House website.

National Arboretum

See the forest for the trees at the National Arboretum Canberra, with its 94 forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Walk, drive, cycle or even horse-ride around the 250-hectare site. You’ll be struck by the range of botanical beauty, including the living artworks in the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.

Enjoy free guided and self-guided tours, Pod Playground, a café and shop, outdoor sculptures, gardens and sculptures with some of Canberra's most spectacular views.

The recently opened Gallery of Gardens is a living mosaic of unique gardens on the Events Terrace. Each garden has a distinctive design with a variety of trees, plants, landscape features and welcoming spaces to sit and enjoy the inspiring surrounds.

For more information, please visit the National Arboretum’s website.

National Gallery of Australia

Delight in the art and world-class exhibitions on show at the National Gallery of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Art lovers will enjoy meandering through the galleries and admiring the collection, which includes the famous 'Blue Poles' by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan.

The new Australian and International art galleries provide plenty of things to see, following a large-scale rehang of almost every piece. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection comprises over 7500 works and is the largest in the world.

Tours and activities are a great way to get more out of your visit. One-hour Gallery Highlight Tour available 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm daily.

For more information, please visit the National Gallery’s website.

National Museum of Australia

Australia's stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The Museum's stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people.

Take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions. Get to know the real, the treasured, the surprising and the inspirational objects from Australian history.

With its waterfront café and quality gift shop, a visit to the Museum is a great way to learn about Australia’s land, nation and people.

For more information, please visit the National Museum’s website.

National Portrait Gallery

Look into the eyes of over 400 people who've shaped the nation at the National Portrait Gallery, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Gain a greater understanding of the Australian people – their identity, history, creativity, culture and diversity – through portraiture.

From Howard Arkley’s portrait of Nick Cave, to Ned Kelly’s death mask, the portraits include a fascinating array of artists, musicians, entertainers, politicians, sports people and royalty.

For more information, please visit the National Portrait Gallery’s website.

National Library of Australia

See the beautiful, the rare and the unexpected at the National Library of Australia on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin.

On a visit to the Library you can take in one of the fascinating shows in the Exhibition Gallery, with up to 3 exhibitions each year exploring a variety of fascinating topics from Australian advertising, to photography, art, literature, history and design.

For more information, please visit the National Library of Australia’s website.

Royal Australian Mint

The multi tourism award winning Royal Australian Mint is one of Canberra's real gems.

Visit the Royal Australian Mint to learn the stories behind every Australian coin in your pocket, purse or piggy bank.

View fascinating historical coins, see robots make tomorrow’s coins and strike a coin yourself!

For more information, please visit the Royal Australian Mint's website.

National Botanic Gardens

Escape from the city in this beautiful collection of Australian plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, located minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Canberra city centre. Offering a breathtaking array of native plants in a spectacular bushland setting, this is the only place in the world you’ll see this diversity of Australian native plants in one location.

For more information, please visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens website.

National Zoo and Aquarium

Get up close and personal with some of the world's most amazing creatures at the National Zoo & Aquarium in Canberra. From lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) to giraffes and penguins and monkeys, the Zoo features a variety of native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia. You can even pat a cheetah, feed a bear or become acquainted with a meerkat during some of the most amazing hands-on animal experiences in Australia.

Jamala Wildlife Lodge within the zoo grounds offers a once-in-a-lifetime luxury safari accommodation experience. Bookings essential.

For more information, please visit the National Zoo & Aquarium website.

Australian Institute of Sport

The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is Australia's premier elite sports precinct, located minutes from the Canberra city centre. Discover where Australia’s sporting champions are created and gain an insight into the life of our leading athletes.

Visit Sportex, one of Australia's leading interactive sports exhibits, set amongst a first-class collection of sporting memorabilia. Try wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing, rock climbing, football penalty shootouts and more. Great fun for all ages and athletic abilities.

Be sure to visit the AIS Shop whilst you are here where you can shop like a champion for exclusive AIS merchandise and refuel at the AIS café.

For more information, please visit the Australian Institute of Sport website.

Questacon

Discover the smarter way to have fun at Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre. There’s something for everyone as you experience science in extraordinary ways at this Gold Australian Tourism Award Winning tourist attraction.

Free-fall down a six-metre slide, freeze your own shadow, experience an earthquake or challenge a robot to a game of air hockey. Little scientists will enjoy Mini Q as they play, discover and learn in an exhibition specifically designed for 0–6 year olds.

Questacon’s eight interactive exhibitions feature more than 200 hands-on experiences, designed for visitors of all ages to touch, play and explore. Questacon’s exhibitions cover a range of science topics, from astronomy to zoology and everything in between.

No visit to Questacon is complete without watching—and perhaps taking a starring role—in a Spectacular Science Show. Questacon is only a short walk from the centre of Canberra, and is in an ideal location for visitors to enjoy some of Canberra’s best tourist experiences.

For more information, please visit the Questacom's website.