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OUR TOP 22 ATTRACTIONS TO SEE IN CANBERRA


Canberra’s attractions are some of the best, the most unique and most interesting in Australia.

We have selected our favourite TOP 22 ATTRACTIONS and here they are:

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT

Sports Visitor Centre, Leverrier St, Bruce ACT 2617
Ph 02 6214 1444
Email visitais@ausport.gov.au
www.ais.gov.au/visit
www.facebook.com/VisitTheAIS/
www.instagram.com/VisitTheAIS/
“The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) is an environment like no other. Whether touring, staying or holding an event at our world-class sporting precinct, you will be inspired to discover the champion within!”

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF SPORT

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS

Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT
Ph 02 6250 9588
Email anbg-info@anbg.gov.au
www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/index.html
twitter.com/ANBG
www.facebook.com/pages/Australian-National-Botanic-Gardens/205305304407
Open 7 days | 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
“Inspiring, informing and connecting people with the Australian flora.
The Australian National Botanic Gardens maintains a scientific collection of native plants from all parts of Australia. The plants are displayed for the enjoyment and education of visitors and are used for research into plant classification and biology. A herbarium of preserved plant specimens is closely associated with the living collection.
The Gardens also cultivates plants threatened in the wild. This helps protect them against extinction and provides information which might assist reintroduction to their natural habitat.”


AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

Treloar Close Campbell ACTt
Ph 02 6243 4211
Email info@awm.gov.au
www.awm.gov.au
www.facebook.com/AWMemorial
www.instagram.com/awmemorial
Open 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day) In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony, galleries are progressively closed from 4 pm Book your ticket to visit: awm.gov.au/visit
“The Memorial’s permanent galleries and ever-changing temporary exhibition spaces contain exhibitions dedicated to the conflicts in which Australia has been involved and their effects on Australian society.”

AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL

CANBERRA DEEP SPACE COMMUNICATIONS COMPLEX

Tourist Drive 5, Discovery Drive Tidbinbilla ACT
Ph 02 6201 7880
Email pr@cdscc.nasa.gov
www.cdscc.nasa.gov
www.facebook.com/CanberraDSN
www.instagram.com/CanberraDSN
“Our Voyage of Exploration
Let’s tell you about our role in NASA’s exploration of space and the terrific team driving Australia’s contribution to that vital and inspiring work.
So what does it take to run a tracking station? Who are the CSIRO technicians, administrators, engineers, logisticians and specialists, charged with operating and maintaining one of three stations in the Deep Space Network (DSN) on behalf of NASA? Why are we so passionate with our mission?
The answers are simple, we are Australians with skills created in our classrooms, nurtured by an overpowering enthusiasm to do well at things that we take on and an attitude born from our humble beginnings. These are the fundamentals that allow us to take on space mission challenges with professionalism, expertise and success.”


CANBERRA MUSEUM AND GALLERY

Cnr London Circuit and City Square, Canberra City
Ph 02 6207 3968
Email cmag@act.gov.au
www.cmag.com.au
www.facebook.com/pages/Canberra-Museum-and-Gallery/194491257529
instagram.com/canberramuseumandgallery
“A vibrant place in the heart of the city, Canberra Museum and Gallery celebrates the region’s social history and visual arts with dynamic exhibitions and unique community programs and events.”
Incorporates: The Nolan Collection, Calthorpes’ House, Lanyon and Mugga–Mugga.

CANBERRA MUSEUM AND GALLERY

COCKINGTON GREEN GARDENS

Gold Creek Village Nicholls ACT
Ph 02 6230 2273
Email info@cockingtongreen.com.au
www.cockingtongreen.com.au
www.facebook.com/cockingtongreen
www.instagram.com/cockingtongreen
Venture into this delightful and fascinating display of meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world. Set within beautifully landscaped gardens, complete the experience with a ride on the miniature steam train, view the 34 room dolls house ‘Waverley’, or enjoy homemade scones in the Garden Cafe. There is something for everyone at Cockington Green Gardens.”


CSIRO DISCOVERY CENTRE

Clunies Ross Street Black Mountain ACT
Ph 02 6246 4646
www.csiro.au/en/education/Get-involved/class-excursions/Discovery-Centre
Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays).
“The CSIRO Discovery Centre offers an interactive journey through CSIRO and Australian science history, showcasing our innovative science and technology to solve Australia’s greatest challenges across areas such as energy, the environment, water, agriculture and food, digital technology, space, natural collections, oceans and many more.”


LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

National Capital Authority
Ph 02 6271 2888
Email info@nca.gov.au
https://www.nca.gov.au/attractions/lake-burley-griffin
“Lake Burley Griffin (the Lake) is Canberra’s centrepiece and a significant number of national institutions, parks and national public places are located on or near its shores and is an integral part of Canberra’s design and is a vital element in the plan for the nation’s capital. The Lake dams the Molonglo River between Scrivener Dam and the Dairy Road Bridge.”

Screenshot of www.nca.gov.au

MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE

King George Terrace Parkes ACT
Ph 02 6270 8222
Email info@moadoph.gov.au
www.moadoph.gov.au
www.facebook.com/museumofaustraliandemocracy
www.instagram.com/oldparliamenthouse/
“Celebrating the stories and spirit of Australian democracy and the power of our voices within it.”

MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE

MOUNT AINSLIE LOOKOUT

Mt Ainslie Lookout is a great introductory point to start Canberra Tracks, Mt Ainslie offers clear interpretive signage to enhance your understanding of Australia’s national capital.
www.canberratracks.act.gov.au/heritage-trails/track-3-looking-at-canberra/mt-ainslie-lookout

Photo © Wendy North

“Looking from Mt Ainslie is the best way to take in Canberra’s magnificent setting and design features. Walter Burley Griffin, who won the international design competition for the capital in 1912, described the site as ‘an irregular amphitheatre’ with Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain and Mount Pleasant ‘forming the top galleries’. The slopes to the water formed the auditorium, and the Molonglo and floodbasin formed the arena. The southern slopes were ‘reflected in the basin, the terraced stage and setting of monumental Government structures sharply defined rising tier on tier to the culminating highest internal hill, Capital Hill; and with Mugga Mugga, Red Hill and the blue distant mountain ranges forming the back scene of the theatrical whole.”

Screenshot of www.canberratracks.act.gov.au

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA

Queen Victoria Terrace Parkes ACT
Ph 02 6212 3600
Email archives@naa.gov.au
https://www.naa.gov.au/
www.facebook.com/naagovau/
www.instagram.com/naagovau/?hl=en
“We collect Australian Government records, preserve them, manage them and make them public. You can access these records for professional research or personal interest, and you can do this online or through our research centres and exhibitions.”

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL FILM AND SOUND ARCHIVE

McCoy Circuit, Acton ACT 2601
Ph 02 6248 2000
Email enquiries@nfsa.gov.au
www.nfsa.gov.au/
www.facebook.com/nfsaa/
instagram.com/nfsaonline
“The NFSA’s mission is to collect, preserve and share Australia’s vibrant and diverse audiovisual culture as embodied by our evolving collection – reflecting who we were, who we are, and who we want to be.”


NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA

Parkes Place Parkes ACT
Ph 02 6240 6411
Email information@nga.gov.au
www.nga.gov.au
facebook.com/nationalgalleryofaustralia
instagram.com/nationalgalleryaus
“The National Gallery is Australia’s leading national visual arts institution. Since the building opened to the public in 1982, the Gallery has played a leadership role in shaping visual arts culture across Australia and its region and continues to develop new ways to engage audiences through its artistic, educational and public programs. The collection comprises almost 160,000 works of art, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and Australia’s pre-eminent collection of modern international art. Entry to the Gallery is free, admission may apply for some special exhibitions.”

NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA

Parkes Place Canberra ACT 2600
Ph 02 6262 1111
www.nla.gov.au
www.facebook.com/National.Library.of.Australia
www.instagram.com/nationallibraryaus/
“The Library holds the greatest collection in the world of material relating to Australia and the Australian people. It ranges from the earliest European works about the Great Southern Land to the most current publications.”

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA

Lawson Cres Acton peninsula ACT
Ph 02 6208 5000
Email bookings@nma.gov.au
www.nma.gov.au
www.facebook.com/nationalmuseumofaustralia
www.instagram.com/nationalmuseumofaustralia/
“At the heart of the National Museum of Australia is our National Historical Collection, more than 210,000 objects which represent Australia’s history and cultural heritage.
The collection helps us to build connections between objects, memory, imagination and lived experience – across cultures, communities and time.”

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

King Edward Terrace, Parkes Canberra, ACT
Ph 02 6102 7000
Email info@npg.gov.au
www.portrait.gov.au/content/the-gallery/
www.facebook.com/PortraitAu/
instagram.com/portraitau
“Though it’s the youngest of our national cultural institutions, the idea of an Australian national portrait gallery is over a century old. A number of attempts at establishing collections of Australian portraits were made during the 19th century; and during the first decade of the 20th, the Australian painter, Tom Roberts, encouraged the Commonwealth government to give some thought to the creation of a ‘painted record’ of the nation’s ‘prominent statesmen’.”

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

NATIONAL ZOO AND AQUARIUM

Scrivener Dam Lady Denman Drive Yarralumla ACT
Ph 02 6287 8400
Email frontdesk@nationalzoo.com.au
www.nationalzoo.com.au
www.facebook.com/canberrazoo
www.instagram.com/nationalzoo/?hl=en
“With a wide variety of both native and exotic animals, as well as the largest inland saltwater tank in Australia, there is something for everyone.”

Screenshot of www.nationalzoo.com.au

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

New Parliament House Capital Hill
Ph 02 6277 5399
www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Plan_your_Visit
www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament
www.facebook.com/Visit-Australian-Parliament-House-860488284047707
www.instagram.com/visit_australian_parliament/
“Home of Australia’s Federal Parliament and is one of the world’s most prestigious and acclaimed buildings.”


QUESTACON

King Edward Terrace Parkes ACT
Ph 02 6270 2800
Email info@questacon.edu.au
www.questacon.edu.au/
www.facebook.com/Questacon
www.instagram.com/questacon
“At Questacon, we strive to promote greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community. We’re committed to making that experience fun, interactive, and relevant.”

QUESTACON

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT

Denison Street Deakin ACT
Ph 02 6202 6853
Email info@ramint.gov.au
www.ramint.gov.au
www.facebook.com/RoyalAustralianMint
instagram.com/royalaustmint
“We are so much more than a factory that makes the coins you find in your change. We also make coins that you can keep and collect. We are an award-winning national cultural attraction and a heritage site. Discover the wonder of coins today!”


THE DRILL HALL GALLERY

ANU Kingsley Street, off Barry Drive, Acton
Ph 02 6125 5832
Email dhg@anu.edu.au
dhg.anu.edu.au/
www.facebook.com/pages/Drill-Hall-Gallery
“The Gallery is a venue of choice for many of Australia’s leading contemporary artists, curators and collectors. We have developed a proud tradition of impeccably presented landmark exhibitions accompanied by scholarly publications.”


THE NATIONAL DINOSAUR MUSEUM

6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls ACT 2913
Ph 02 6230 2655
Email admin@nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
nationaldinosaurmuseum.com.au
www.instagram.com/nat_dino
www.facebook.com/NDMAU
“Established in 1993, the museum has grown from just a small collection to housing one of the largest permanent displays of dinosaur and other prehistoric fossil material in Australia. Located in Gold Creek Village, the National Dinosaur Museum is now one of Canberra’s premier tourist attractions and offers an interactive insight into the earth’s long and dynamic history. The museum houses life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, and animatronic dinosaurs, and visitors can navigate through millions of years of earth’s ancient past.”


AND THEN THERE ARE THE MARKETS…

THE LITTLE BURLEY MARKET

Queen Elizabeth Terrace in Commonwealth Place, Canberra
Email info@thelittleburleymarket.com.au
https://thelittleburleymarket.com.au/
www.facebook.com/TheLittleBurleyMarket

“What’s better than a Saturday relaxing by the water, with beautifully curated gourmet food and an artisanal market to go with it! This incredible location will have you enjoying the stunning views, whilst you delve into something tantalising.
These bespoke markets will feed your every dream. Pick up some locally made artisans for yourself, maybe some pastries or cheeses for home after your walk, or tucking into delicious foods listening to live local talent whilst your family and friends join you for a day out by the lake.”



Screenshot of visitcanberra.com.au

CANBERRA AND REGION VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
Regatta Point, Barrine Drive, Parkes ACT 2600
Ph 1300 554 114
Email crvc@act.gov.au
visitcanberra.com.au/traveller-information/visitor-information-centre
visitcanberra.com.au/
Open 9am-5pm weekdays
Open 9am-4pm weekends and public holidays
Closed Christmas Day
Limited one-hour free parking, with designated free all-day parking available to park caravans, camper trailers, coaches and RVs. Free Wi-Fi is also available.
Co-located with the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point, the Visitor Information Centre also offers bike and e-scooter hire. Be sure to explore the shop full of local produce, handcrafted gifts, hampers and popular souvenirs.

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