📍Top 9 Best Canberra Attractions Absolutely Not To Miss 2026.
Canberra is synonymous with boring. Errrrk… Guess again. While Australia’s capital may not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially that whole political shin-ding, that sure doesn’t mean that it is a royal snooze-fest with nothing to see or do. From the Australian War Memorial to the fascinating charred-out ruins of Mt Stromlo Observatory and the epic walking trails within Namadgi National Park, one of the best under-the-radar hiking destinations I’ve visited, it’s a sleeper hit that packs a punch if you know where to look. So, whether you’re here for a quick trip or just want to tick off the quintessential highlights, these are my handpicked attractions in Canberra from my 4 weeks travelling throughout the territory that you don’t want to miss.
👉 My top 3 picks for what to do in Canberra, Australia:
- Pay your respects to those who lost their lives at the Australian War Memorial.
- See the whole territory from the Telstra Tower.
- Go hiking in the wilderness at Namadgi National Park.
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Top 9 Best Things To Do In Canberra.
1. Visit The Poignant Australian War Memorial. – Free.
The number one must-visit attraction in Canberra is undoubtedly the Australian War Memorial. This stunning, world-class museum is a beautiful, graphic and sobering tribute to all Australians who enlisted in Australian-aided conflicts, especially two of recent history’s most prolific global events, World War I and World War II.
Over 1.5 million Aussies signed up to serve during both wars, and tens of thousands of them died as a result. The memorial, which lies in Canberra’s north, is an exquisite shrine to all who served to protect the freedom we enjoy today.
Although the largest galleries focus on World War I and World War II, they aren’t the only conflicts on display. From the Boer War of 1899 to the recent War In Afghanistan, I strongly advise dedicating at least a few hours to exploring the numerous beautifully rendered spaces inside and outside this nationally significant place, as it’s the most poignantly sombre place to remember their countless sacrifices.
If possible, stay until closing time for the Last Post Ceremony, which involves honouring a fallen soldier by telling the story of their bravery and keeping their memory alive.
Psst: If you have time, walk down Anzac Avenue. It is lined with many massive monuments honouring all the wars, which Australian military personnel have served in.
2. Explore Australia’s Alpine Region.
Namadgi National Park.
The absolute best thing about the ACT is also its biggest hidden gem! At 1,061km2, Namadgi National Park is the territory’s only national park, but it covers a massive 1/3 of the area and is rich in history, culture, and diversity. But that’s not all
It forms part of the Australian Alps, the only mountain range in the country that receives consistent annual snowfall and the western section of it is one of the last true wilderness zones on the continent, so it is a trekker’s dream. For the less experienced walkers, there are numerous established trails leading to many magnificent viewpoints overlooking the state’s most impressive natural landmarks, such as my favourites, the Booroomba Rocks or the Tor Viewpoint on the Yerrabi To Boboyan Trig Trail.
Furthermore, Namadgi also contains traces of Aboriginal heritage, with remnants of the Ngunnawal people who lived here for thousands of years still observable at the Yankee Hat Rock Art Site. More prominently featured throughout the national park are the homesteads from more recent history, when European pioneers and pastoralists settled in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
As for wildlife, there is no shortage of that either. Australia’s adorable endemic kangaroos and wallabies are everywhere in the southern section, while wombats and emus are some of the more well-known animals that live here too, but you need to be a bit luckier to see those.
So whether you are looking for a scenic nature walk or something much harder, or enjoying exploring Australia’s heritage or seeking out animals, Namadgi delivers spectacularly on outdoor adventures in Canberra. Oh, and it has space connections too (Read about the Honeysuckle Creek Former Tracking Station and Orroral Former Tracking Station items further down the list for more information), so it’s a pretty remarkable place to visit for day trips or multi-day escapes on all fronts.
Note: The southernmost 19km of Namadgi is a dirt road, as is the western section, but conventional vehicles can pass through okay with caution. The national park was also devastated by the 2020 fires, so some trails may still be closed. Most were reopened when I went in 2022, but just check the official website to see if the ones you want to do are open.
3. See The ACT’s Spectacular Landscape.
Telstra Tower. – $.
Another Canberra attraction you absolutely don’t want to miss is the Telstra Tower. Rising over 100m from Black Mountain, it looks like the equivalent height of the hilltop it stands upon and is unmissable from all across the city. And one thing no visitor to the nation’s capital should miss is the opportunity to visit it, because it is not just a visual icon; it is also one of Canberra’s best lookouts.
“Wait, Telstra? Like the telecommunication company?” Yes. The dual-purpose tower that pumps out signals nonstop as we speak isn’t just connecting everyone who lives nearby and claiming the territory’s tallest structure, but also the elite place to drink it all in.
The uninterrupted 360-degree panoramic views from the external viewing deck across the entire Australian Capital Territory make people love coming here, as it’s undoubtedly the best view Canberra has to offer. From the city to the mountains, you can see the entire state in all its glory from its internal and external viewing decks. It’s magnificent.
And if there’s snow around, usually on the distant peaks to the southwest, that is also often visible from the tower. These mountains form part of the Australian Alps, the only terrain on mainland Australia that consistently receives annual snowfall every winter, adding even more magic to the unforgettable view. Furthermore, because the attraction is open well after dark, visitors can also stay to see the city’s twinkling lights, making visiting the Telstra Tower one of the most romantic places in Canberra for couples to visit at night.
Note: It’s pretty cold up here no matter the season, so I recommend bringing a jacket.
*2026 Update: Currently Closed. Expected reopening is in December 2027. See the official website here for more details.
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4. Discover Astronomical Ruins.
Mt Stromlo Observatory. – Free.
One of the most surprising things about Canberra is that it has advanced space-observing complexes that help further humanity’s understanding of the universe. It’s a fun fact, and one of the facilities lies between the city and the beloved Cotter Precinct.
Mt Stromlo Observatory does double duty as it functions as a working research establishment and one of the nation’s capital’s most unique points of interest in the countryside, but not in the way you might think. That’s because the devastating firestorm of 2003 tore through most of the ACT and gutted much of the historical observatory along with it.
It’s now not just a destination to see equipment that unveils the mysteries of the universe, but is also a poignant reminder of the horrific fire. There’s something very beautiful, haunting and impactful about seeing the shells, ruins and remains of such a technologically advanced place.
It’s very much worth visiting, and because it lies amongst beautiful scenery too, that’s even more incentive to see the beautiful remains of the still-working observatory.
Psst: The observatory is also the top of the Mt Stromlo bike trails, so bring your wheels if you love tearing up the terrain like that.
Interested in more space-age technology? You can also check out the still operational Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex near Tidbinbilla and the old site of the Honeysuckle and Orroral Tracking Stations in Namadgi National Park.
5. Discover A Beautiful Sanctuary.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. – $
Heading out of the city and into the country, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is one of the top places to visit outside Canberra for natural attractions, especially if you’re looking for something family-friendly. Within the expansive 54 km2 area lie 23 trails ranging from short and easy to long and challenging; it is one of the city’s best day trip destinations close by. Discover gorgeous views, stunning peaks, Aboriginal shelters, European homesteads and an abundance of animals. My goodness, there are so many animals.
The kangaroos and wallabies are the ones you’ll discover the easiest. The sweet, adorable hopping marsupials have seemingly taken over the place like a bunch of gangsters. (Groups of kangaroos are called gangs!) I even came across the stunning resident white kangaroo (which I thought was an albino, but after asking a caretaker, found out she wasn’t), which noticeably stood out from the rest of its mob and the landscape thanks to its rare coloured coat.
Other animals you may encounter at Tidbinbilla include emus, swans and the ever-elusive platypus. The best place to spot them is in the ponds at the Sanctuary, but patience and staying quiet are the keys to spotting them, as these unusual creatures aren’t fond of noise.
The best thing about Tidbinbilla is that it’s a conservation area with large, free-roaming enclosures allowing the animals to live similarly to how they would in the wild, whilst protecting the already endangered creatures from predators.
The bad thing about it is it’s a little pricey, especially if travelling solo, as the entry cost is per car. And you can’t pick up or buy the access card until the information centre opens at 9.00 am, while the park itself opens at 7.30 am, so you’ve already lost an hour and a half if you wanted to make the most of your day.
But if you’re looking to explore the place for more than one day, which you really need as there’s so much to explore (I went for 4 days and there were still many longer trails I didn’t get to do), an annual pass is definitely the way to go. Or skip Tidbinbilla and head to the next place on this list. It has a ton of even more incredible natural attractions and is completely free.
6. Explore the Murrumbidgee.
Murrumbidgee River Corridor.
The Murrumbidgee River is Canberra’s most prolific natural waterway. Forming part of the country’s greatest river system, the Murray-Darling Basin, the Murrumbidgee starts at the alpine headwaters of the Australian Alps in Kosciusko National Park and runs for over 1600 kilometres.
Sixty-six of those kilometres flow through the ACT, beginning at Uriarra in the north and exiting near Tharwa at Angle Crossing near the state’s middle and scattered along its length, Canberra’s set aside many natural and recreation reserves worth looking at because they are some of the capital’s most serenely picturesque parks and make fantastic day trip destinations.
The most noteworthy ones are Cotter Bend, Casuarina Sand & Pool, Point Hut, Pine Island, Kambah Pool, Sheppards Lookout and Uriarra Crossing Recreation Area.
At most places, you can kayak and wild swim. Many also have fantastic walking trails and plenty of space to picnic and BBQ. A couple even allows you to bring your dog, making the Murrumbidgee River Corridor home to the best outdoor activities in Canberra. It’s also one of the capital’s best weekend getaways, thanks to Cotter Bend’s campground by the water, which even includes hot showers! SCORE!
Note: If you are looking to go swimming or kayaking, check the water levels and flow beforehand. I visited after months of deluge and wasn’t able to enter the water as it was murky, flooded and very fast-flowing.
7. See What’s Behind The Famous Exterior.
Parliament House. – Free.
C’mon, you know you want to know where the s*** goes down. Plus, you can’t have a list of the top tourist spots in Canberra without including its most recognisable building and the city’s reason for being. It was forged to become Australia’s political heartland, and the latest incarnation of Parliament House is synonymous with the capital and a quintessential icon.
Although it’s a divisive place because of what transpires there, as anything political inevitably is, it’s also a place that captivates the imagination as you wonder what’s behind the famous architecture.
Well, you needn’t wonder anymore because surprisingly, Parliament House is open to visitors just about every day, even when MPs are working in the Senate Or House Of Representatives. You can even watch the politicians in action during Question Time.
Even on non-sitting days, visitors can roam the stunning building, see the debate rooms, learn about how laws come to be, admire the portraits of past Prime Ministers, and discover the beautiful gifts presented to them from various countries, amongst other politically significant displays. Although people interested in governmental processions will enjoy this place the most, those who aren’t will find plenty to be fascinated by, as I certainly did.
And it’s not just the current Parliament House that you can visit, either. You can also visit its predecessor, which is now the Museum of Australian Democracy, providing a fascinating contrast to the current Parliament House.
Walk the dark wooden halls of Australia’s forefathers and see the retro style of the spaces where they made the decisions, and the rooms the staff worked and the politicians retreated to during the Hawke era and uncover the highlights of John Howard’s reign in the Howard Library.
Note: Monday to Friday is paid parking at the Old Parliament House building, but around the Lawns of Old Parliament House in front of it, there is 1 hour of free parking every day.
8. Explore A World Of Delightful Miniatures.
Cockington Green Gardens. – $.
Canberra’s most unique and quirky attraction is Cockington Green Gardens, the enchanting land of miniatures. Situated near the National Dinosaur Museum, the attraction essentially has two sections.
One section delightfully depicts different aspects of everyday human life, like folks playing tennis or firefighters preparing to tend a fire, while the other one is a wonderland of famous landmarks from around the world and fantasy castles from beloved stories.
While it sounds like it’s catered more towards the kids, the skill and attention to detail given to the tiny art pieces are so impressive that even the adults will enjoy it. And there are plenty of fun nuances to explore too, like a streaker running across the soccer field display. I went there expecting to be underwhelmed, but left feeling the opposite. Give it a go and you may find yourself as endeared with the creations as I did.
10. Drink In Canberra’s Beautiful Landscape.
Several Lookouts. – Free.
One of the best things about Canberra is that it took its natural landscape into thorough consideration when the city was being designed, with the mountain peaks scattered around its ornamental lake designed to be breathtaking lookouts to observe this stunning place in all its glory from many perspectives.
Black Mountain was given to the aforementioned Telstra Tower, while Mt Ainslie is the second most popular lookout open 24/7, as it uniquely overlooks all of the city’s most famous landmarks, all in a straight row. It’s got the Australian War Memorial, down Anzac Avenue, across Lake Burley Griffin, with Old Parliament House and the current Parliament House capping off the lineup in the distance. It is an impressive sight.
Conclusion: Unmissable Attractions In Canberra Australia.
Whether you’re just dropping by or want to experience all its highlights, these Canberra attractions are the best way to see and appreciate Australia’s national capital.
