The 11 Best Attractions in Canberra (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 11 picks

The best attractions in Canberra in 2026 are the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum, Questacon for families and the National Arboretum. Most of the national institutions are free to enter.

Canberra was designed around Lake Burley Griffin, with Parliament House, the High Court and the national galleries grouped in the Parliamentary Triangle on its southern shore. Most of the big museums are free, and you will need a car or the bus to move between the lake, the War Memorial and the outer sights. Spring brings Floriade, the flower festival, and autumn colours are lovely in March and April.

1. Australian War Memorial — Campbell

The nation's shrine and museum to those who served, and free to visit.

Best for First-timers · Families

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a major museum and an archive. Its galleries cover Australia's wars from Gallipoli to recent conflicts, with aircraft, dioramas and personal stories.

Stay for the Last Post Ceremony, held near closing time each day, when the story of one person on the Roll of Honour is told.

Good to know: Allow at least three hours, and arrive by mid-afternoon for the Last Post Ceremony.

Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612

Google Maps Website

2. Parliament House — Capital Hill

Australia's Parliament, open to the public every day.

Best for First-timers · Families · Budget

Parliament House is the seat of Australia's federal government, built into Capital Hill. You can walk through the Great Hall and the Marble Foyer, watch debates from the public galleries and go up to the grassed roof for views down to the lake.

Free guided tours run every day. On sitting days, Question Time in the House of Representatives is the most lively.

Good to know: Check the sitting calendar online if you want to watch Question Time.

Parliament Dr, Canberra ACT 2600

Google Maps Website

3. National Gallery of Australia — Parkes

The national art collection, from Aboriginal art to Pollock's Blue Poles.

Best for Couples · First-timers

The National Gallery holds Australia's national art collection, including the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, plus Australian, Asian and international works such as Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles.

General entry is free. The sculpture garden outside, by the lake, is free and open every day.

Good to know: Start with the Aboriginal Memorial, 200 hollow log coffins at the gallery entrance.

Parkes Pl, Parkes ACT 2600

Google Maps Website

4. National Museum of Australia — Acton

Australia's social history in a striking building on the lake.

Best for Families · First-timers

The National Museum on Acton Peninsula tells the story of Australia and its people, with galleries on First Australians, the land and the nation. The building itself is a landmark.

General entry is free, and the museum runs a good programme of special exhibitions.

Good to know: Pair it with a walk or cycle along the lake shore.

Lawson Cres, Acton ACT 2601

Google Maps Website

5. Questacon — Parkes

Hands-on science centre that children love.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, has hundreds of interactive exhibits, from a free-fall slide to an earthquake room and lightning demonstrations.

It suits children from preschool age to teenagers, and adults enjoy it just as much.

Good to know: Arrive at opening to get ahead of school groups.

King Edward Tce, Parkes ACT 2600

Google Maps Website

6. National Arboretum Canberra — Molonglo Valley

Forests from around the world, a giant playground and city views.

Best for Families · Couples · Budget

The National Arboretum covers 250 hectares of hillside planted with forests of rare and endangered trees. The Village Centre has a café, and the Pod Playground, with giant acorn cubby houses, is a hit with children.

Walk up to the Wide Brown Land sculpture and the Dairy Farmers Hill lookout for views over the city and lake.

Good to know: Go at sunset for views back over the city; entry is free (parking is paid).

Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley ACT 2611

Google Maps Website

7. National Portrait Gallery — Parkes

The faces of Australia, from Captain Cook to Cathy Freeman.

Best for Couples · Budget

The National Portrait Gallery shows portraits of Australians who shaped the nation, in paintings, photographs and sculpture. It is a compact, well-designed gallery by the lake.

Entry to the permanent collection is free.

Good to know: Combine it with the High Court next door, which is also free to visit.

King Edward Tce, Parkes ACT 2600

Google Maps Website

8. Mount Ainslie Lookout — Campbell

The classic view down Anzac Parade to Parliament House.

Best for Couples · First-timers · Budget

The lookout on Mount Ainslie shows Walter Burley Griffin's plan for Canberra laid out below: the War Memorial, Anzac Parade, the lake and Parliament House in one straight line.

You can drive up or walk the track from behind the War Memorial, about 45 minutes uphill.

Good to know: Go at sunrise or sunset for the best light over the city.

Mount Ainslie Dr, Campbell ACT 2612

Google Maps

9. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House — Parkes

The old Parliament, with its chambers and the PM's office intact.

$ BudgetBest for Families · First-timers

Old Parliament House served as Parliament from 1927 to 1988. As the Museum of Australian Democracy, it lets you sit in the old chambers and see the Prime Minister's office, with exhibitions on democracy and protest.

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawn outside is part of the story.

Good to know: Join one of the guided tours for the best stories; check times on arrival.

18 King George Tce, Parkes ACT 2600

Google Maps Website

10. National Zoo & Aquarium — Yarralumla

Big cats, an aquarium and close encounters with animals.

$$ Mid-rangeBest for Families

The National Zoo & Aquarium, on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, combines a zoo with big cats, bears and native animals and an aquarium. Its paid close encounters let you meet animals such as cheetahs and red pandas.

It also has lodge accommodation where some rooms look into animal enclosures.

Good to know: Book close encounters well ahead; they sell out.

999 Lady Denman Dr, Weston Creek ACT 2611

Google Maps Website

11. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve — Paddys River

See kangaroos, koalas and platypus in the bush 40 minutes from town.

$ BudgetBest for Families · Couples

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a large bushland reserve south-west of the city, with walking trails, wetlands and enclosures where you can spot koalas, kangaroos, emus and, with luck, platypus.

It is part of the Australian Alps national parks and makes a great half-day with children.

Good to know: Go early or late in the day when the animals are active.

Tidbinbilla Rd, Paddys River ACT 2620

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the number one attraction in Canberra?

The Australian War Memorial, a free museum and shrine with galleries covering Australia's wars. The Last Post Ceremony at the end of each day is a moving experience.

Are Canberra's museums free?

Most are. The Australian War Memorial, National Gallery, National Museum, National Portrait Gallery and Parliament House are free to enter, with fees for some special exhibitions. Questacon and the Museum of Australian Democracy charge entry.

Can you visit Parliament House?

Yes, every day. Entry is free and includes the public galleries and the roof. Free guided tours run daily, and you can watch Question Time when Parliament is sitting.

How many days do you need in Canberra?

Two days covers the main institutions comfortably: one for the Parliamentary Triangle and lake, one for the War Memorial, the Arboretum and Mount Ainslie.

What is there to do in Canberra with kids?

Questacon, the National Zoo & Aquarium, the National Museum and the Arboretum's playground are the family favourites. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is great for seeing wildlife.

1. Australian War Memorial — Campbell

2. Parliament House — Capital Hill

3. National Gallery of Australia — Parkes

4. National Museum of Australia — Acton

5. Questacon — Parkes

6. National Arboretum Canberra — Molonglo Valley

7. National Portrait Gallery — Parkes

8. Mount Ainslie Lookout — Campbell

9. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House — Parkes

10. National Zoo & Aquarium — Yarralumla

11. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve — Paddys River

Frequently asked questions

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