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3 Days in Canberra

How to Spend Three Days in Canberra, Australia's Overlooked Capital

By James Davies in Australia Guides.

If you’re planning on spending three days in Canberra then there are plenty of things to see and do in the capital of Australia.

While Canberra is often overlooked as a tourist destination in favour of other destinations, such as Sydney or Melbourne, the city has a great variety of attractions that will keep visitors entertained. Our three day Canberra itinerary will help you make the most of your trip to Australia’s capital city.

Is There Anything Fun to Do in Canberra?

Yes, plenty in fact. Canberra may not have the vibrant buzz of Sydney or the chilled out vibes of Melbourne. However, Canberra features many national landmarks, major museums and galleries and a huge range of attractions that make it a great place to visit.

Canberra may be most famous for being the capital of Australia, home to the national parliament and over 100 foreign embassies. Yet the city has consistently been voted as one of the best cities in the world to live and as well as to visit.

Whether you’re looking for a hefty dose of culture, a chance to explore the great outdoors, to learn more about Australian history or somewhere to keep the kids entertained, then Canberra will have just the thing for you.

Is 3 Days in Canberra Enough?

Three days in Canberra is just the right amount of time to spend to explore the city. While there are plenty of things to do in Canberra, it isn’t particularly large – it’s the eighth largest city in Australia with a population of less than half a million people.

Three days gives you a good amount of time to see a range of Canberra’s many highlights and must-see attractions.

Where to Stay in Canberra

There’s a great range of accommodation in Canberra, from the more affordable to the very high-end.

You can search for somewhere to stay in Canberra here, but if you need a few ideas, then here are a few places that we recommend:

• Affordable – Pavilion On Northbourne : Located in the north of the city close to Macarthur Avenue light rail station, Pavillion on Northbourne offers a range of comfortable rooms, apartments and suites. As well as an onsite bar and restaurant, the hotel also has an outdoor pool and is a 15 minute drive from Canberra Airport.

• Next Level – A by Adina Canberra : Situated right in the heart of Braddon, Canberra’s buzzing downtown district, A by Adina Canberra is a modern and supremely stylish hotel with apartment rooms that feature a gorgeous decor for the perfect home from home.

• Top of the Range – Hyatt Hotel Canberra : To enjoy a taste of the high life whilst visiting the Aussie capital, check in to the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, arguably the best hotel in the city. The beautiful Art Deco hotel is located on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, with large and luxurious rooms, two on-site restaurants, an indoor pool and a wellness centre.

TLDR - Overview of Our 3 day Canberra Itinerary:

👉 Here’s a quick overview of our 3 day Canberra itinerary:

Day 1 :

• Tour the Australian Parliament
• Visit Old Parliament House
• The National Gallery of Australia
• Mount Ainslie Viewpoint
• A night out in Braddon

Day 2 :

• The Australian War Memorial
• The Botanic Gardens
• National Museum of Australia
• Dinner and drinks in Kingston

Day 3 :

• Tour the Royal Mint
• Lanyon Homestead
• Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

3 Day Canberra Itinerary - Day 1:

Take a Tour of the Australian Parliament

Located on Capital Hill, Parliament House is the seat of government in Australia and one of Canberra’s most famous landmarks. The modern Parliament House building was opened in 1988, when it replaced what is now the former government headquarters (which is now called Old Parliament House).

A must-see for visitors to Canberra, Parliament House is open to the public and free to visit, even when the building is being used for government business. Anyone can visit Parliament House to watch Question Time or parliamentary debates.

There are a range of fascinating guided tours of Parliament House available which are recommended to get the most out of a visit. Tours offer a greater insight into the history, functions, and stunning architecture of the building. Most tours are charged, but the 25-minute Heart of the House tour is free.

Tours take in the parliament’s impressive Great Hall, which is used for ceremonial events, and both of the two chambers, the House of Representatives Chamber and the Senate. If Parliament is in session during the tour, you can watch live debates and proceedings from the public galleries.

Other tours are available that have a focus on the parliament’s architecture or its impressive art collection. There are also a number of changing exhibitions held at the parliament on various themes related to Australia’s political history and culture throughout the year.

Visitors can also see parliament’s beautifully landscaped gardens which are adorned with sculptures and fountains dotting the areas, and the panoramic views of Canberra from the building’s grass-covered roof.

Visit the Old Parliament House

For a further insight into Aussie political history, head along Federation Mall to visit the Old Parliament House.

Here visitors can explore the historic chambers of the former House of Representatives, the Senate chambers and the Prime Minister’s Suite, from when the building was the original seat of government from 1927 until 1988, when the new Parliament House was opened.

Many of the rooms are still furnished as they would have looked in the late 1980s when the building operated as the national parliament. There are several free guided tours that offer a deeper insight into the history of the former parliament building.

Today the Old Parliament House houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. The museum hosts a range of exhibitions about the history of democratic movements in Australian history such as the women’s suffrage movement and the evolution of democracy in Australia.

The grounds around Old Parliament House are also worth a visit, especially for the beautifully maintained rose gardens.

Explore the National Gallery of Australia

Spend the majority of the afternoon taking in the wonderful collection of art at the National Gallery of Australia. The gallery is spread across several floors and features a diverse range of artworks by Australian and international artists.

As well as an enormous permanent collection, the National Gallery of Australia hosts several major temporary exhibitions each year of works by global artists.

Many of the artworks relate to the history of Australia, such as Sidney Nolan’s series of paintings about the life of Ned Kelly. There are also many works by settlers to Australia that depict life in the early days of the colony.

Artwork on display at the National Gallery in Canberra, including George Baldessin’s Pears sculptures.

The National Gallery also includes an impressive collection of Aboriginal art, the most poignant piece being the Aboriginal Memorial. The memorial is made from 200 decorative traditional hollow log coffins that each represent a member of the Aboriginal community who has died from defending their land.

Also around the grounds of the gallery’s are several sculptures and large-scale art installations, such as the massive Within without skyspace by James Turrell and George Baldessin’s giant Pear sculpture.

See the City from Mount Ainslie Viewpoint

After the National Gallery of Australia, take a ten minute drive from the centre of the city to take in the wonderful views of Canberra from the Mount Ainslie Lookout.

Located to the north east of the city centre, the Mount Ainslie Lookout is perfectly placed for sweeping views of Canberra. The viewpoint looks out over the Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve towards the Australian War Memorial, straight along Anzac Parade and across Lake Burley Griffin to Parliament House.

From here you get a good idea of the planned nature of the city, and also why Canberra is known as the Bush Capital. In all directions the city’s low skyline is surrounded by open plains, and tree-covered mountains for as far as the eye can see.

Enjoy a Night Out in Braddon

End your first day in Canberra in Braddon, a vibrant suburb just north of the city centre that’s known for its lively nightlife. Whether you’re after a trendy boutique bar, a lively pub or a cosy spot to eat, Braddon has something for everyone, particularly along Lonsdale Street in the heart of the area.

There’s a great selection of bars to pick from in Braddon. The Civic Pub has a great menu of hearty Aussie classics while the best local beers can be found at BentSpoke Brewing Co. For delicious cocktails and tacos head to Paloma’s just a little further down the road.

Lazy Su has a great menu of unique Asian fusion dishes as well as creative cocktails while eightysix north is a great spot for modern Aussie fine dining with a relaxed vibe.

Day 2 in Canberra

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is one of Canberra’s most famous landmarks.

Dedicated to all Australians who have lost their lives in armed combat, the Australian War Memorial is also a museum that documents the role played by Australian troops in major conflicts around the world.

Exhibits at the Australian War Memorial

The memorial and vast museum are housed inside an iconic dome-topped building at the top of Anzac Parade. Inside, the museum is largely organised by conflict, with huge exhibition spaces displaying information, weaponry and memorabilia from every war in which Australian troops engaged in armed conflict.

The biggest areas are spaces dedicated to the role played by Australian troops in the First and Second World Wars, particularly the Gallipoli campaign. The museum also documents the roles played by Australian troops in the Vietnam War and more recently in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Other areas of the museum include the Aircraft Hall, which features an impressive display of military aircraft used by the Royal Australian Air Force in several conflicts from the mid 20th century onwards.

The Hall of Valour displays information about all of the Australian soldiers to have received the Victoria and George Cross, medals awarded for the highest acts of bravery and heroism in wartime.

At the centre of the building is the central courtyard, reflecting pool and the Hall of Memory. On upper levels on either side of the courtyard is the Roll of Honour, a poignant memorial that lists the names of every Australian member of the armed forces to have lost their lives in war.

At the far end of the memorial, inside the Hall of Memory is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, another touching tribute to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Take a Walk Amongst the Botanic Gardens

Nest, head to The Australian National Botanic Gardens, located just beneath the Black Mountain. The Australian National Botanic Gardens are a wonderful way to discover the incredible beauty and diversity of Australia’s native plant life.

Several themed gardens replicate parts of the Australian landscape, such as the Red Centre Garden and the Sydney Region Garden. Meanwhile the Rainforest Gully Walk replicates the cool, lush environments typical of Australia’s eastern rainforests typical of Queensland and Tasmania.

Other areas celebrate indigenous trees and plants, such as the Eucalypt Lawn, which has over 70 different species of the iconic Aussie tree, and the beautiful Banksia Garden.

To fully enjoy your visit, join a guided tour, led by knowledgeable guides who explain all of the botanic garden’s flora, ecosystems, as well as their ongoing conservation efforts. Afterwards you can relax and enjoy a bite to eat at the gardens’ excellent Pollen café.

Learn All About Oz at the National Museum of Australia

Located in a stunning building on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, the National Museum of Australia tells the fascinating history of the continent of Australia.

Several themed exhibitions spread across different floors and wings of the museum chart every facet of the country through a huge range of displays featuring historical objects, videos and much more.

The museum does an excellent job of highlighting what makes Australia one of the most unique countries on earth. Each of the museum’s galleries is dedicated to a different aspect of Australia’s history and heritage, including its people, its nature, its incredible and varied landscapes and much more.

Aboriginal art at the National Museum of Australia Canberra

Many of the museum’s exhibitions detail the history and plight of the Aboriginal population, the arrival of European settlers and the Federation of Australia.

There is also plenty of emphasis on Australian social history, with memorabilia from key events from some of the major defining moments in Australian history that helped to shape the national character.

The National Museum of Australia also hosts a range of large-scale temporary exhibitions throughout the year, not all of which are Aussie-specific. Previous exhibitions have included major displays of artefacts from ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire.

Enjoy a Night out in Kingston

The area of Kingston on the southern side of Lake Burley Griffin has a number of great places to wind down with something to eat and drink at the end of a busy day.

There’s a wide range of bars and restaurants in Kingston that offer a great choice of local and international dishes.

For an authentic taste of Canada, head to Caribou in Green Square, which has a great range of food, including poutine, as well as an excellent and extensive choice of beers.

Just a few doors down, the Durham Castle Arms is a great gastropub with a wonderful atmosphere and an extensive menu of great food as well as quiz nights, live music and comedy and much more. Alternatively, head to Queenies for posh nosh and fantastic cocktails.

On Kennedy Street, the super-stylish Kodiak Bar is another good option for cocktails, while a few doors down Onzieme offers exceptional plates of modern cuisine paired with excellent wines.

3 Days in Canberra - Day 3

Tour the Royal Australian Mint

A visit to the Royal Australian Mint is an engaging experience that blends Aussie culture, technology, and artistry into a very entertaining trip that offers a fascinating journey through the history and art of Australian coins.

At the Mint’s museum, you can see the National Coin Collection, which is made up of rare and historical Australian coins that chart the history of the nation. You can also learn about the evolution of Australia’s currency, such as the developments in the techniques and the materials used to create coins.

The museum explains the entire process of minting coins, from the design phase to the finished pieces. Be sure to take a free guided tour of the Mint (booking in advance is essential), the highlight of which is the chance to view the coin production floor from the observation windows.

As part of the visit you can also mint your own coin as a keepsake. The museum also has a souvenir shop on site which has a variety of collectibles and unique coins available to buy.

Visit the Historic Lanyon Homestead

In the afternoon, travel to the edges of the city to discover some of Canberra’s fascinating history. The Lanyon Homestead is a gorgeous historic home and farm located in beautiful pastoral surroundings around a 30 minute drive from the centre of Canberra.

The homestead and farm was founded by two European settlers, James Wright and John Lanyon, in 1834. Despite establishing a cattle ranch and successfully growing a variety of crops, the farm faced financial difficulties and was eventually sold in 1845.

Over the next 130 years the homestead passed through the hands of various owners, each of whom extended and added to the farm’s original buildings. Perhaps the biggest influence on the Lanyon Homestead was made by successive generations of the Cunningham family, who lived at the farm for around 70 years.

In 1975, the Lanyon Homestead was bought by the government and eventually opened as a house museum.

The interior of Lanyon Homestead

Beautifully restored and maintained throughout, Lanyon Homestead offers a fascinating insight into the lives of Australia’s early European settlers. The elegant main house, built by the Cunninghams, reflects the architectural styles and the various different owner’s interior tastes of the mid 18th and early 19th centuries.

The very first house on the farm was demolished and replaced with the grand homestead that you see today. The grounds also include various original convict-built outhouses that date from the mid 18th century.

Entry to the house is only available via the excellent guided tour, which reveals much more about the history of the main house, the farm and the people who once called it home.

In the main house you can see how successive generations would have lived in the home and see the various changes made by its respective owners during different eras of its occupation. The house contains many of its original furnishings and is laid out exactly how it would have looked when inhabited in the early 20th century.

The beautiful gardens and sprawling grounds are also well worth exploring. The excellent Barracks cafe located in one of the homestead’s outbuildings is an excellent place to grab a bite to eat.

Explore the Great Outdoors at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

From Lanyon Homestead, it’s a 30 minute drive to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Tidbinbilla is a vast national park that features plenty of excellent hiking trails, stunning views and the chance to get up close to some of Australia’s wildlife.

There are plenty of options and ways to explore Tidbinbilla’s stunning landscapes based on your interests and how much you want to see. There are a great range of well-maintained walking trails, which vary in difficulty and length.

The Sanctuary Loop is an excellent option for families, featuring a peaceful walk around wetlands, where you can spot native animals including rock wallabies as well as many different bird species. Take a walk through the Eucalypt Forest for the chance to see koalas, wallabies and super-cute potoroos.

For those seeking more of a challenge, follow one of the hiking trails to Gibraltar Peak for breathtaking panoramic views of the valley.

Tidbinbilla also offers the chance to delve into the region’s cultural history. The reserve is home to many significant Aboriginal sites, and you can learn about the Ngunnawal people, the traditional custodians of the land, through interpretive signage and guided tours.

This is also a great place to bring young kids, who will love the interactive Nature Discovery Playground while the picnic areas scattered around the reserve are perfect for a relaxing lunch surrounded by native wildlife such as kangaroos and emus.

You can find out all about the reserve and get more information on things to do at the Tidbinbilla Visitor Centre at the entrance of the park.

Even More Ideas for Your Canberra Itinerary

Here are a few more suggestions for things to do in Canberra that we couldn’t quite cram into our three day itinerary.

Questacon

A great place to bring kids, Questacon National Science and Technology Centre is an interactive museum with hands-on and engaging exhibits that make science fun for all ages.

The museum features a variety of fascinating displays on topics ranging from physics, space, and robotics, alongside live demonstrations and shows that help to inspire curiosity and make learning fun.

The National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra

The National Zoo & Aquarium Canberra is a unique combined zoo and aquarium, where you can see a wide range of land and marine animals.

The zoo offers close-up animal encounters where you can feed and interact with some of the wildlife, including tigers and bears.

National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery showcases a diverse collection of portraits of prominent Australians, from historical figures to contemporary icons.

Through various art forms, the National Portrait Gallery celebrates the diversity of Australian identity and its unique history.

Canberra Reptile Zoo

The Canberra Reptile Zoo houses a diverse collection of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles.

There are a range of educational exhibits and presentations from zoo staff with plenty of opportunities for hands-on interactions with some of the residents, making it a great place to learn about Australia’s native reptiles.

The National Arboretum

Nature lovers should not miss the National Arboretum, which features a vast collection of over 44,000 rare and endangered trees set across beautifully landscaped gardens with panoramic views of Canberra.

Throughout the arboretum there are many scenic walking trails, picnic spots, and the popular Pod Playground, making this a peaceful and picturesque place to explore.

Cockington Green Gardens

Another great place for young and old alike, Cockington Green Gardens is a charming miniature village featuring meticulously crafted models of famous buildings and scenes from around the world.

Set within beautifully landscaped gardens, top your visit off with a tour on a mini steam train ride.

Old Bus Depot Markets

The Old Bus Depot Markets are a vibrant weekly market offering handmade crafts, gourmet food, and unique artisanal products.

Held every Sunday from 9:30am to 2:30pm in a former bus depot, the market is a popular spot for locals and visitors to discover local goods, enjoy live music and feast on street food.

Mugga Mugga Cottage

Another of Canberra’s historic houses, Mugga Mugga Cottage is a fascinating house museum that offers a glimpse into the life of early rural settlers.

The well-preserved stone cottage and surrounding grounds showcase 19th-century farm life, offering a unique insight into Canberra’s pastoral heritage. The cottage is only open from 10:00am until 1.:00pm on Saturdays via an excellent guided tour.

How to Get Around Canberra

With a Hire Car

By far the easiest way to get around Canberra is with your own set of wheels.

Canberra is easy to navigate and parking in the city is easy with car parks at or in close proximity to most of the main attractions.

If you want to travel a little off the beaten path, particularly to areas further away from the centre such as the Mount Ainslie Lookout, Lanyon Homestead or Tidbinbilla, then it is a lot easier with a hire car.

We hired a car for our trip to Canberra, using Discover Cars to find the best deals from a range of car hire companies.

👉 You can find the best deals on car hire in Canberra here.

Via Public Transport

Most of Canberra’s main sights are connected by a decent public transport system, particularly public buses. There is more information on public transport in Canberra here, including route timetables and journey planners.

You can also use the Red Loop Explorer Bus which travels between Canberra’s most popular attractions, however, there are only five buses a day.

There is also a light rail system that operates on the north side of the city. The service runs between Alinga Street near Braddon and Gungahlin Place in the far north of the city.

When is the Best Time to Visit Canberra?

The best time to visit Canberra is either during spring (from September to November) or autumn (from March to May). At both times of year the weather is mild, and the city is at its most beautiful.

In spring, the highest temperatures typically peak at around 20°C/68°F. Spring is also when the city comes alive with blooming flowers, highlighted by the Floriade festival.

Autumn offers similarly pleasant temperatures and stunning foliage.
Summer runs from December to February and is noticeably warmer, with temperatures up to 30°C/86°F.

In winter ( from June to August) the city is quieter and colder, with the maximum temperature usually reaching around 14°C/57°F. Though the days are shorter in winter you can still expect plenty of sunshine.

I’m James, the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between. Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here.

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How to Spend 3 Days in Canberra