📍8 Best Canberra Lookouts In The City & Countryside. (2024.)

Privacy Policy

WANT TO DISCOVER THE BEST CANBERRA LOOKOUTS?

One thing everyone agrees upon is that Canberra is beautiful. As Australia’s capital, the city was meticulously designed as the nation’s showpiece, and with an ornamental lake and landmark buildings lining up with one another, it is a striking place to observe, particularly viewed from above, it’s not hard to see why. Luckily, that was also thoughtfully considered in its planning, as on hilltops across the city, are viewpoints that allow visitors to appreciate its unique layout.

But don’t just stick to the CBD, as there are many outliers scattered throughout the lower and western fringes of the ACT that capitalise on the breathtaking beauty of its gorgeous mountains and valleys, which, unbeknownst, to many, form part of the Australian Alps, the only place in the country that receives consistent annual snowfall. So, from the city to the border, here are my favourite lookouts in Canberra and the ACT that I highly recommend visiting after spending a month exploring the nation’s capital.

👉 My top 3 picks for the best lookouts in Canberra.

  • City: Mt Ainslie.
  • Hinterland: Booroomba Rocks.

Planning Your Trip? Use My Favourite Resources!

Tours/Experiences: I recommend Viator.
Accommodation: I recommend Booking.com.
Renting Vehicles: I recommend RentalCars.com.

Best Canberra Lookouts In The City.

1. Mount Ainslie & Marion Mahony Griffith Lookout.

The thought process behind Canberra’s eloquent design was to create a place unlike any other, an entirely planned city of the future that featured a unique geometric pattern of streets surrounding an ornamental lake that also coincided with the natural landscape.

Nowhere is that vision more visible than from atop Mt Ainslie, which the capital was thoughtfully planned around to be the prime position to observe the CBD’s lineup of its most iconic landmarks and attractions, directly overlooking the Australian War Memorial, down Anzac Parade and across Lake Burleigh Griffin to Old Parliament House, with the current Parliament House on Capital Hill completing the row of the city’s most historically significant buildings.

With the city in the foreground and expansive views of the rest of the ACT, including the Australian Alps comprising the background, this breathtaking panoramic lookout is not only a superb place to visit during sunrise and sunset but also the best lookout in Canberra to visit at night which allows you to further appreciate its visionary concept with the street lights highlighting it’s intriguing layout.

The view of Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade,Lake Burleigh Griffin, Old Parliament House and Parliament House is what makes Mt Aibslie Canberra's best lookout
Mt Ainslie directly overlooks Canberra’s most iconic buildings and attractions.

LOVE TRAVELLING? BUT HATE PACKING?

Want a FREE comprehensive packing list to streamline preparations for your next adventure? I’ve got you covered!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    2. Telstra Tower. – $.

    Canberra does not have skyrise buildings, making the Telstra Tower easily stand out from amongst the urban landscape. Easily spotted from across the city thanks to its sheer size rising just shy of 200m above the summit of Black Mountain, the capital’s tallest structure is not just for connecting people to phone and internet services. 

    It is also one of the city’s most beloved and must-visit attractions. Although it has an indoor level, the 360-degree outdoor observation deck is the highlight, offering uninterrupted panoramic views of the entire ACT. and beyond. From the CBD and its iconic landmarks and ornamental lake to the rivers, valleys and mountains surrounding the urban centre, it is a phenomenal way to appreciate the stunning landscape.

    While it’s gorgeous any time of day, I highly recommend visiting an hour before sunset so you can watch the landscape bathed in a beautiful soft golden light, before watching the lights illuminate the city at night, becoming one of the most magical and romantic lookouts in Canberra. As for the time of year, it’s breathtaking 365 days a year, however, it’s hard to go past the coldest months as that’s when the distant Snowy Mountains are blanketed in soft and powdery snowfall, transforming the background scene into a beautiful winter wonderland.

    Note: No matter what time of year you visit, I highly recommend bringing a jacket for the external viewing platform, as it’s cold and frequently windy up there!

    Additional Note: The Telstra Tower has been closed for some time. It is supposed to be internally renovated, however, they have yet to begin.

    The Telstra Tower is easily visible from across Canberra.
    The Telstra Tower is Canberra’s best lookout.
    The view of Lake Burleigh Griffin from the Telstra Tower is one of the reasons its the best lookout in Canberra.
    Lake Burleigh Griffin is just one landmark to see.
    Countryside views from the Telstra Tower
    Looking across the countryside.

    3. Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout.

    The National Arboretum is one of Canberra’s more unique attractions. While it is essentially a botanic garden for many native and exotic trees, it is also one of the most unexpected places to find one of the capital’s best lookouts.

    Driving around the place yields several beautiful viewpoints, however, Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout is well worth getting out of the car for. The viewing platform offers a stunning perspective of the city from the east. But I would have to say that the scenery from the parking area eclipses it as it has uninterrupted panoramic views of the southern and western part of the territory which is home to a sea of mountains, both of which make visiting the arboretum a must, even if it’s just for the views.

    4. Red Hill Lookout.

    Over on the city’s south, Red Hill Lookout offers another unique vantage point over the stunning lakeside city. While the official stone wall lookout doesn’t have the most appealing views because of the trees, a gravel pull-over area just down the road showcases many of Canberra’s iconic sights, including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Telstra Tower, and Lake Burley Griffin without foliage blocking the way.

    It’s a gorgeous site, but what is even better than that is because it’s a roadside lookout and not a formal attraction with opening and closing hours, it’s also one of the capital’s best car lookouts to enjoy the twinkling city lights at night. And if there’s a storm raging on, it’s also an excellent place to watch lightning.

    View from Red Hill Lookout at night.
    Red Hill Lookout is a great place to see the city at night and watch storms manifest.

    Best Scenic Lookouts In The ACT.

    Namadgi National Park.

    For the most breathtaking outdoor experiences in the ACT, there is no place as magnificent as Namadgi. Often overlooked by visitors, this massive wilderness area is the territory’s only national park and occupies an area of 1061 km2, approximately half of the nation’s capital! What makes it such a unique place to visit is that it forms part of Australia’s famous Snow Mountains, the only place in the country that receives consistent annual snowfall turning it into a magical winter wonderland in the middle months every year.


    Because of its spectacular beauty and outstanding ecological and heritage value, it is easily one of Canberra’s best destinations for day trips and weekend escapes, and there is no better way to appreciate these sites than from its many viewpoints. From roadside viewing platforms to natural vantage points along hiking trails, these are the best lookouts in Namadgi National Park not want to miss.

    5. Booroomba Rocks.
    2.5km Return.

    One of the most captivatingly dramatic natural lookouts in the ACT is undoubtedly Booroomba Rocks. Getting to this spectacular site involves a short moderately steep 2.5km return hike from the dedicated car park.

    But it is well worth the effort as it takes you to the top of a vast, bald, boulder-strewn, sheer granite cliff face that overlooks the breathtaking raw and untamed beauty of the Brindabella Ranges and the deep valley that lies between here and there. It was such an impressive and unexpected place to find within the most overlooked part of the capital territory that it immediately became my favourite place in a national park full of outstanding natural beauty. So, if there’s only one scenic hike you do, I highly recommend this one.

    The spectacular Booroomba Rocks one of the best lookouts in Namadgi National Park.
    The magnificent granite cliff face of Booroomba Rocks.

    6. Boyoban Trig.
    4km Return.

    Another outstanding viewpoint within Namagdi National Park I advise visiting is along the Yerrabi Walk to Boyoban Trig. This stunning 4km return walk uniquely traverses through several microclimates of dry and wet forest, swampy grassland, Black Sallee woodlands and more to a stunning granite slab that overlooks spectacularly untamed Bimberi Wilderness.

    The most breathtaking part of this view is the small collection of massive boulders that sits precariously down the rock face and provides a striking focal point in a sea of mountains and trees. What’s also great about this vantage point is it faces west, which means it is an excellent place to stay until sunset. I thought there were too many clouds for anything spectacular to happen but still decided to hang around until it did and was thrilled enough of a gap opened up that I could capture this image. Just don’t forget to bring a torch or headlamp if you do.

    Sunset over the Boboyan Trig boulder in Namadgi National Park.
    The spectacular boulder formation at the end of the Yerrabi walk.

    8. Hospital Hill Lookout.

    Namagdi National Park’s most easily accessible lookout is Hospital Hill Lookout. But just because it’s a roadside viewing platform does not mean the scenery is not spectacular.

    Overlooking the Gudgenby Valley and some of the ACT’s tallest peaks, this is a beautiful place to stop and glimpse its breathtaking landscape. Thanks to its westward-facing direction, it is also a fantastic spot to watch the sunrise hitting the slopes first thing in the morning while fog lingers low in the valley, and in the late afternoon when the backlit clouds change colours while sun descends towards the horizon.

    7. Mt Aggie.
    3km Return.

    Over along the western border, Mt Aggie is another magnificent natural lookout not to miss. The easy, gently inclined 3km return walk from Mt Franklin starts in Snow Gum Woodlands on the extreme western fringes of ACT, before rising above the treeline and crossing over into New South Wales territory and concluding atop the barren rocky peak of Mount Aggie.

    From the summit, enjoy the sea of mountains that stretch the border across the untammed Bimberi Wilderness with the northern end of Kosciuszko National Park visible in the far distance. It’s a spectacular visual and one that made me feel like I was the only person to ever see this uninhabited and untouched natural expanse.

    Namagdi National Park

    Note: Snow is possible along all these walks, especially in in winter. If visiting then, more caution is advised hiking and driving to these places.. I went in October (mid-Spring) and small patches of snow were still on the Yerrabi & Booroomba Rocks tracks while there was light snowfall doing the Mt Franklin Heritage Walk, so you never know what you’ll get.

    Canberra Lookouts Map.

    Accommodation: Where To Stay In Canberra.

    Conclusion: Best Lookouts In Canberra.

    From enjoying easy access views of the city and its most recognisable buildings surrounding its iconic lake to hiking to natural viewpoints and overlooking the spectacularly rugged landscapes of the country’s only alpine regions, Canberra’s lookouts are nothing short of breathtaking and a must-visit for anyone visiting Australia’s beautiful capital.

    If you plan to visit Canberra, consider looking at these other posts.