Things to Do in Canberra: Monuments, Galleries, and Lake

Canberra is Australia’s capital and, to my surprise, one of its most pleasant cities to walk. It was planned from scratch in the early twentieth century, which means it has wide streets, big skies, and green space woven through the center. I came expecting a government town and found a place that rewards anyone who likes history, art, and an easy riverside bike ride.

Start at the Australian War Memorial

This is the stop that reshaped my idea of the whole city. The memorial blends a museum with a place of remembrance, and its long hall leads to a courtyard with the Pool of Reflection. I moved through the galleries slowly and came out quieter than I went in. Give it at least half a day, and go early, because the last thing you want is to rush the most meaningful room in town.

Climb or tour Parliament House

You can enter the national parliament for free and wander its public levels. I joined a guided tour and got the best of it, from the marble great hall to the rooftop lawn that literally sits on top of the building. The rooftop is open to anyone and gives a sweeping view over the lake to the War Memorial beyond. Check for sitting days, because a live session adds a whole other layer.

Cycle the loop around Lake Burley Griffin

The lake in the middle of the city is a perfect flat circuit on two wheels. I rented a bike and spent an afternoon circling the water, past the Captain Cook fountain and the little jet fountain that shoots water high into the air. The path is easy and mostly flat, and rental points make it painless. It is the best way I found to see the layout of the capital.

Wander the National Gallery of Australia

By the lake’s edge, the National Gallery packs an admirably broad collection into one building. I went for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and stayed for the hanging garden and the enormous sculpture out front. The collection is free and the cafe is pleasant. It is the kind of gallery that rewards both a two hour tour and a quick, well-chosen lap.

See the National Museum through a new lens

Across the water, the National Museum tells Australian stories in an unusual, brightly curved building. I liked the way it mixed the serious and the everyday, from frontier history to fairly recent pop culture. The building itself, with its bold curves, is worth a look even if you only circle the outside. Give it a couple of hours and expect the unexpected.

Look out from Mount Ainslie at dusk

Mount Ainslie rises behind the War Memorial, and its summit has one of the best city views in Australia. I drove up near sunset and watched the avenues line up toward the lake and the distant mountains. The drive is short and the payoff is immediate. It is the perfect way to close a Canberra day and understand why the city was laid out this way.

Let the kids loose at Questacon

If you are traveling with children, Questacon, the national science center, is near a sure win. Every floor is interactive, from free fall slides that demonstrate gravity to live demos with volunteers cheering. I slipped in with younger relatives and even the adults ended up playing. Book ahead on weekends to avoid the weekend crush of local families.

Time a visit for Floriade in spring

In September and October, the city runs Floriade, a festival that carpets the commonwealth park near the lake in flowers and live music. I happened to catch the tail end and saw rows of tulips and attendees happily strolling with coffee. It is an easy, cheerful addition to a spring visit, and it runs completely free at the park itself.

Hike or drive Black Mountain for a quieter view

For a quieter lookout than Ainslie, Black Mountain and its surrounding native gardens gave me a nature fix without leaving town. I walked a short track and heard more birds than I did the whole car ride up. The Telstra Tower on top offers an observation deck if you want the higher angle. It was my favorite calm escape.

Eat and drink beyond the civic center

A city with so much government turns out to have a solid restaurant scene tucked in the suburbs. I found a lively stretch of cafes and modern Australian restaurants in the neighborhoods outside the central triangle, where the menus lean local and the servings are generous. Ask where the locals eat and you will eat well. Canberra keeps surprising that way.

Canberra rewards a slow three or four days, but even a two day stop covers the essentials if you plan mornings at the big institutions and evenings by the water.