Canberra rewards a little planning. Its national museums explain different parts of Australia’s story, the lake gives you space between visits, and the hilltop views help make sense of the capital’s layout. Choose a couple of substantial indoor stops each day, then add a walk or lookout. Trying to collect every institution in an afternoon leaves little time for the things you came to see.
This guide covers ten classic attractions. For neighbourhoods, accommodation and arriving in the city, use the Canberra travel guide. For national parks and a wider trip, open the ACT travel guide. The ACT Government acknowledges the Ngunnawal people as the Traditional Custodians of this region and recognises other people and families with connections to its lands.
Visitor information checked on 2 October 2026. Opening hours, prices, works and tour availability can change; use the official links before setting off. The time allowances below are our planning suggestions, rather than official visit lengths.
Choose the right stops for your trip
- First visit: Parliament House, one museum or gallery, and a lake walk.
- Art: National Gallery of Australia and the National Portrait Gallery.
- History: Australian War Memorial, National Museum of Australia or Old Parliament House. Choose two rather than rushing all three.
- Families: Questacon, a short lake outing and the National Arboretum’s POD Playground.
- Outdoor time: Mount Ainslie, the lake or a forest walk at the Arboretum. Match the route to the weather and your walking ability.
The National Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Questacon and Old Parliament House form a useful group in the Parliamentary Triangle. Parliament House sits uphill beyond Old Parliament House. The National Museum is on Acton Peninsula, while the War Memorial is in Campbell, below Mount Ainslie. The Arboretum is a separate outing west of the centre. These distinctions matter more than a long checklist: a place that looks nearby on a map may still require a bus ride, lake crossing or uphill walk.
Australian War Memorial
Visit for remembrance as well as history. Start in the commemorative spaces, including the Roll of Honour and Hall of Memory, then choose the galleries that interest you. A focused visit is usually more rewarding than trying to read every display. Some material is confronting, so allow space for a break, particularly with children or anyone who has a personal connection to the subject.
Allow about 2–3 hours for an initial visit, or longer if military history is a main interest. The Last Post ceremony takes place at approximately 4:30 pm local time, sharing the story of one person on the Roll of Honour. Arrive early if you want to attend. Plan gallery time before it: galleries begin closing progressively from 4 pm, so the ceremony is not the start of an evening museum session.
General entry is free and tickets are not required under the Memorial’s current policy. Galleries normally open 10 am–5 pm, except Christmas Day. Redevelopment continues and some galleries may be closed. Check the official visit page, ceremony information and access arrangements before your visit.
Combine with Mount Ainslie if conditions and your energy suit an uphill walk, or leave the lookout for another day. Return to the city planning guide.
Parliament House
This is a working parliament as well as a visitor attraction. Come to understand the building, the chambers and the relationship between the capital’s design and its institutions. A self-guided visit lets you set your own pace; a guided tour can give the architecture and parliamentary processes more context. What you can see depends on parliamentary business and the areas open to visitors that day.
Allow about 1–2 hours, with extra time for security screening or a booked tour. Check the sitting calendar if seeing parliamentary proceedings matters to you, and follow the rules for the public galleries. For the roof and other public spaces, follow staff directions and the current visitor map rather than assuming every area is always accessible. The walk from Old Parliament House is uphill; allow for that when planning a route with a pram or mobility aid.
General admission is free. Standard opening hours are 9 am–5 pm on non-sitting days and 8:30 am–6 pm on sitting days, with Christmas Day excluded. Tours, special exhibitions and events can have their own prices and booking conditions. Use the official planning page and current tour listings; free building entry does not mean every guided experience is free.
Pair with Old Parliament House to compare the two buildings, or head down towards the lake. See a realistic day plan.
National Gallery of Australia
Give the Gallery a proper visit if art is part of your trip. Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and international works offer several different starting points. The Aboriginal Memorial and Jackson Pollock’s Blue poles are useful collection highlights to look for, subject to current display arrangements. Pick a few rooms or themes and spend time with them; there is no need to turn a visit into a race through the building.
Allow about 2 hours for a first visit, or longer for a major exhibition. A short visit can still work if you choose your priorities from the gallery map beforehand. Add outdoor sculpture only where current access permits. The Gallery’s 2026–2030 capital works programme is underway, and parts of the Sculpture Garden and some visitor areas are affected. Check the building works notices rather than promising yourself a particular garden installation.
General entry is free; selected exhibitions are ticketed. Normal opening hours are 10 am–5 pm, except Christmas Day. The official visit page, gallery map and accessibility information help you choose open areas and plan the visit you need.
The National Portrait Gallery is a natural next stop nearby. For a change of pace, walk towards the lakefront. Return to Canberra neighbourhoods.
National Museum of Australia
The Museum on Acton Peninsula is a good place to begin asking how people, places and the environment have shaped Australia. Great Southern Land explores the continent and people’s relationship with it. First Australians brings together First Nations histories and experiences, including continuing connections to Country and the effects of colonisation. Make time for those stories instead of treating the building as a quick architectural photo stop.
Allow about 2–3 hours and choose galleries before you arrive. Read the map to see how your choices fit together, and leave a little time to look at the waterfront setting. Families can check the current children’s programme, including the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre; that experience has separate session and ticket arrangements. Acton Peninsula is outside the Parliamentary Triangle, so allow a transfer rather than slotting it between two neighbouring galleries.
General admission is free. The Museum normally opens 9 am–5 pm, except Christmas Day; some exhibitions, tours and experiences cost extra. Start with visitor information, then check what is on and the museum map.
Combine with a shorter lake walk around Acton, or make it the main indoor stop of a separate day. Plan your transfers.
Questacon
Questacon is the hands-on science choice. It suits families who want to try, test and discuss things together, and adults who enjoy an interactive visit. Follow curiosity rather than insisting on every exhibit. Some spaces can be busy, noisy or stimulating, so plan breaks and check the sensory information if that will make the day easier.
Allow about 2–3 hours, leaving room for a live science show if the programme interests you. Read the current show and exhibition listings before promising children a particular activity. Booking ahead is recommended to secure your preferred visit, especially during school holidays. If you need a quieter experience, ask Questacon about suitable sessions and school group patterns rather than relying on a fixed quiet hour.
Normal opening hours are 9 am–5 pm. At the check date, standard tickets were AUD 27.50 for adults, AUD 20 for children aged 4–16, free for children under 4, and AUD 85 for a family of two adults and up to three children. Other concessions and conditions apply. Check current tickets, accessibility and centre upgrades before booking.
Follow with open air at the lake, rather than another long museum session. Find the family day plan.
National Portrait Gallery
Choose the Portrait Gallery for people and the stories behind their public faces. The collection gives you a different way into Australian life from a broad history museum or art survey. Read the accompanying stories, compare different kinds of portraiture and take time with a few subjects that catch your attention. It can be a manageable visit when you have less time or want one more cultural stop without filling an entire afternoon.
Allow about 1–1.5 hours. The Portrait Stories app can add audio and other interpretation to your visit; download it beforehand if useful. Check the current display and special exhibition listings rather than assuming a particular portrait will be on the wall. You can combine the Gallery with the National Gallery without changing precinct, but leave time to rest between them.
General entry is free, with charges for some exhibitions and parking. Normal opening hours are 10 am–5 pm, except Christmas Day. The Gallery is on King Edward Terrace, next to the National Gallery. Use the official visit page and access information for facilities, current programmes and entry conditions.
Continue to the National Gallery or take a shorter lakefront walk. See where to stay.
Old Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy
Old Parliament House gives the capital’s political history a more intimate scale. The Museum of Australian Democracy uses the historic building and exhibitions to explore how democracy works and how people take part in it. Look for the chambers and other historic rooms that are open, then choose the exhibitions that interest you. This is a different experience from visiting the present Parliament House; the two make a useful pair if politics or architecture is a priority.
Allow about 1.5–2 hours. A highlights tour can help connect the rooms to the people who worked here, but check the current programme and availability. Families should look at the activity listings before arriving. As this is a historic building, consult the access guide for the route and rooms you want to visit; do not assume every part has the same step-free access.
Entry is free and normal opening hours are 9 am–5 pm, except Christmas Day. Start with the official visit page, tour listings and access and sensory guide.
Continue uphill to Parliament House, or choose Questacon for a different kind of family visit nearby. Plan one day in Canberra.
Lake Burley Griffin
The lake is an outing in its own right and a useful pause between institutions. Choose a shore and a manageable section instead of assuming you need to circle the entire lake. The central basin offers views towards the national buildings, parkland and room to walk or ride at your own pace. Start near the precinct you are already visiting so the outing does not become another transfer.
The National Capital Authority describes the central bridge-to-bridge walk, between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge, as about 5 km. Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours with stops, or turn back earlier for a shorter outing. Commonwealth Avenue Bridge renewal works currently affect approaches and shared paths. Follow signed detours and check the project updates before treating the normal route as an uninterrupted loop.
Walking the public foreshore is free. Bike hire, cruises and boat hire have separate charges and conditions. Use the official walking guide to choose stops. Carry water and sun protection, share paths considerately and check water quality advice before activities involving contact with the water.
From the south side, choose the National Gallery, Portrait Gallery or Questacon. Acton outings pair with the National Museum. Return to the ACT guide.
National Arboretum Canberra
Come for tree collections, open views and a break from the city’s indoor attractions. Start at the Village Centre, then decide whether you want the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection, the POD Playground, a lookout or a longer walk among the forest plantings. Families can keep the visit close to the playground and visitor facilities; keen walkers can choose a trail from the official map. The site is spread over hills, so the choice of route changes the effort involved.
Allow about 2–3 hours for a relaxed visit. Treat it as a separate outing rather than an extra stop on a walk around the Parliamentary Triangle. There is no public bus or light rail service to the Arboretum under the current official access information. Arrange a car, taxi or suitable cycle trip and think about the return journey too. Check seasonal gate times: the grounds, Village Centre and bonsai collection do not all keep the same hours.
General entry is free, but the main Village Centre car park has paid periods and some activities are ticketed. The Village Centre normally opens 9 am–4 pm, except Christmas Day. Use the official visit page, opening hours, getting here information and access guide.
Make the National Museum your indoor stop on a separate part of the day, with a planned transfer. For a broader outdoor trip, use the ACT guide’s national park advice.
Mount Ainslie lookout and summit walk
Mount Ainslie is a useful place to understand Canberra’s layout: the view takes in Anzac Parade, the lake and the parliamentary buildings beyond. You can make it a short lookout visit by road, where access is open, or choose the summit walk for a more active outing. A clear day helps with the distant view; a windy or very hot day can make a planned walk less appealing. Keep the lookout flexible in your itinerary.
Parks ACT lists the Kokoda summit track as 4.5 km return with 250 metres of ascent, starting on Treloar Crescent behind the War Memorial. It has steep sections, steps and uneven ground. Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the return walk, longer for breaks. A sealed track is not a guarantee of wheelchair suitability. For a road visit, plan around 20–40 minutes at the lookout and arrange your return transport.
Consult the official reserve page and Parks ACT alerts. Take drinking water, stay on marked tracks and check fire or weather closures before setting out. If you go late in the day, allow daylight for the descent rather than beginning a walk at sunset.
Pair with the Australian War Memorial, allowing enough time to arrive before the Last Post ceremony if attending. Choose a two day itinerary.
One, two or three days without rushing
One day: choose a precinct
For a first day, visit Parliament House in the morning, pause for lunch, then choose the National Gallery or Portrait Gallery. Finish with a short lakefront walk. If the War Memorial is your main reason for visiting, make it the afternoon’s main stop instead of squeezing it into this plan. Allow a transfer and arrive before the galleries start closing.
Two days: add the Memorial and the city view
Use the precinct day above, then devote another day to the War Memorial and Mount Ainslie. Walk the summit earlier in the day if conditions suit, take a proper break, then spend the afternoon at the Memorial. If attending the Last Post ceremony, be there before 4:30 pm. If the walk is too much, choose the road lookout or a quieter city morning instead.
Three days: choose the Museum or a family outing
Add the National Museum and a shorter Acton lake outing if history is your priority. For families, choose Questacon and outdoor time, or dedicate a separate half day to the Arboretum once transport is arranged. A third day is an opportunity to spend longer at the places you like, rather than an obligation to complete all ten attractions.
Getting between the attractions
Walk within a precinct and use a bus, taxi or car for the longer transfers. Transport Canberra’s light rail currently connects the city and Gungahlin; it does not take you directly around this entire attraction list. Use the official journey planner with the exact destination and your travel day, then check service alerts. Allow extra time around bridge works, major events and parliamentary sitting days.
Check current fares and payment options before travelling. Museum entry and parking are separate costs: a free gallery can still have a paid car park. If hiring a bicycle, use a current operator and confirm the collection point, helmet, return arrangements and route. The Canberra city guide covers airport and rail arrivals and how to choose a base.
Families and accessibility
Choose the route as carefully as the attraction. Ask the venue about step-free entrances, lifts, accessible toilets, loan equipment and any particular room or experience you want to see. A historic chamber, hill track or garden path may have different access from the main entrance. Use the venue’s own access pages, linked in the sections above, and check arrangements again before the visit if essential to your plans.
With children, a science session, one museum visit and outdoor time can make a satisfying day. Leave time for food and rest, and check age guidance or booking conditions for special activities. For sensory needs, contact the venue about quieter sessions and current school bookings. For a low cost day, choose free general collections and public lake walks while budgeting separately for transport, parking, meals and optional exhibitions.
Questions before you go
Which Canberra attractions are free?
General entry is free at the War Memorial, Parliament House, National Gallery, National Museum, Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy, as well as the Arboretum. Paid exhibitions, tours, events and parking can be separate. Questacon normally requires a ticket. Check each attraction’s current conditions before choosing a budget.
Can I walk between all ten attractions?
Plan to walk within the Parliamentary Triangle and along a chosen lake section. The Museum on Acton Peninsula, the War Memorial in Campbell, the hill lookout and the Arboretum require more planning. Use the journey planner and the access details above; do not assume one flat city-centre walking circuit covers the whole guide.
Can I see the Last Post ceremony in the morning?
No. It normally starts at approximately 4:30 pm local time. Visit the galleries beforehand and arrive early for the ceremony. Check the Memorial’s current information for your date.
Keep planning your Canberra trip
Use the Canberra travel guide for where to stay, food precincts and arrivals. Continue with the ACT travel guide for national parks and regional travel, or the Australia itinerary guide to fit Canberra into a longer holiday. The accommodation guide helps you compare the practical details of a base.