Canberra Sightseeing

Sights in Canberra

There is plenty to see and do in Australia’s capital – from enlightening historical and political locations, to the beauty of the great outdoors – Canberra has something for everybody.

Canberra is a planned city and was constructed originally as the capital to solve the rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne for the title. As a result it’s easily accessible layout is perfect for those who want to see the inner city on foot, with the impressive structure of Parliament House located in centre of the National Precinct of the CBD. The National Precinct is home to some of Australia’s finest national collections of art, culture and history.

Visitors to Parliament House are welcome on non-sitting days with regular free tours taking groups through The House of Representatives, the Senate gallery and various rotating exhibitions held throughout the year - short tours are still conducted on sitting days for those who wish to see the proceedings. Nearby the Australian War Memorial has an impressive collection of memorabilia and war records, as well as regular exhibitions that commemorate the sacrifice of Australians who have died in world conflict. Each year, hundreds of visitors come to pay their respects at the memorial on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, and smaller ceremonies are held each week at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The National Gallery of Australia has a vast collection of local and international art, as well as many visiting exhibitions from overseas, and the National Portrait Gallery, the National Museum of Australia and the National Archives all give very distinct insights into the eclectic and multifaceted face of the Australian identity. Cinema buffs should not go past the National Film and Sound Archive, which documents and exhibits the history of Australian cinema on the world stage.  

Sports-fans should pay a visit to the renowned Australian Institute of Sport. It is here that many of Australia’s greatest locally and internationally famous athletes trained, and continue to do so today in the world class facilities. There are daily tours of the institute, as well as opportunities to book and use the training facilities on offer.

The countryside surrounding Canberra has many outdoor delights. Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Mount Taylor, Mount Pleasant, Red Hill and Mount Majura are all within easy reach of the city, and are good places to spot different species of native Australian flora and fauna. In the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, the Nature Discovery Sanctuary allows visitors to see the wildlife in its most untainted state – with no cages or fences. The temperate climate of these surrounding regions makes picnicking or bushwalking ideal activities. Just thirty minutes from the city is the Canberra District Wineries, with many award-winning wine varieties on offer for tasting and buying at the cellar door.