Canberra guide | Canberra attractions and things to do
Canberra was established in 1913 as a purpose-built capital for the newly federated Australian nation – and in the process brought to an end the battle between Sydney and Melbourne for national capital status.
More than anything, Canberra is an efficient and highly planned city. In 1963, the Molonglo River was dammed to create a huge artificial lake in the centre of Canberra, named Lake Burley Griffin, after the American architect responsible for the design of the city. Initially populated mainly by politicians and public servants, Canberra has had to slowly but surely develop its own identity over the decades.
A building spree in the late 20th century and a concerted effort to develop public institutions in the city served to make it a popular destination for travellers. Today, Canberra boasts a range of attractions including impressive architecture, monuments and memorials to Australia’s past, numerous museums and, in its suburbs, quaint rural villages perfect for day time strolls.
Canberra International Airport is around 8km from the city centre and is well served by flights from other major Australian cities.
International visitors normally fly to Sydney or Melbourne and transfer to a domestic flight to Canberra (or a road coach from Sydney Airport to Canberra). Flying time is 50 minutes from Sydney, 1 hour from Melbourne, 2 hours from Brisbane and Adelaide, and 4 hours from Perth.
A regular shuttle runs between Canberra airport and the city centre. Alternatively, ACTION buses service Brindabella Business Park, which is immediately adjacent to the airport.
All coaches to Canberra terminate at the Jolimont Centre, which is in the city centre and immediately across the road from the Canberra local bus station.
If you fancy a road trip, the drive from Sydney to Canberra is 290km and takes around three and a half hours from the centre of Sydney. The drive from Melbourne to Canberra is 650km and takes roughly eight hours.
A major benefit of Canberra’s inland position is that it avoids the humidity endured by its coastal counterparts. Nevertheless, the city still experiences four distinct seasons that could influence your decision on when to visit.
The summer months are from December to March, when the average temperature is around 80 degrees, though highs can reach over 100.
As summer ends, autumn brings a changing of colours, turning leaves to red and gold. Autumn tends to be the most stable season, with little fluctuation in temperature, wind and rainfall.
Winter days are cooler and often quite sunny, with little wind. The coolest months are June to August, when daily temperatures average 30 to 50 degrees. Spring returns with warmer temperatures and floral blooms.
As Australia's capital, Canberra is the site of many national social and cultural institutions and buildings, including the Australian War Memorial, National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and the National Library of Australia.
But if you're prepared to venture out of the city centre into the suburban districts and beyond, a number of other delights await you.
Rural Bungendore about 30 km from the city centre, is Canberra's historical region. This small, colonial-style village established in 1880 is now a thriving tourist attraction. Art, craft, and antique stores are in abundance while the Bungendore Wood Works Gallery is a must-see. The beautiful Carrington Hotel in the centre of the village is said to have a resident ghost.
The picturesque, rural village of Tharwa is south of Canberra, on the way to Namadgi National Park, and is home to Australia's oldest bridge. You can enjoy a picnic at the Tharwa Bridge Reserve or take time to peruse the Cuppacumbalong Craft Centre during your trip.
A 15 minute drive from Canberra city centre is Queanbeyan, which could be described as a typically modest, inland Australian "city" with a township built around the main street and one, lonely shopping mall. The city is close to Molonglo Gorge and the magnificent Googong Dam — an amazing engineering feat and also a pleasant spot for a picnic.
Another rural village centre, Murrumbateman is an ideal stopping off point between Canberra and Yass. Home to many of the region's renowned wineries, such as Clonkilla Wines and Doonkuna Estate, Murrumbateman makes a great destination for wine lovers.
