//
Capital city of Australia
Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Canberra was built to be the capital city of Australia, taking up all of Australian Capital Territory surrounded by the southeast of New South Wales. A planned city with national monuments, museums, and galleries all built around large man-made lakes. The bush capital - Canberra is also a great place to enjoy the outdoors, with excellent cycling, gardens, parks, bushwalking and nature reserves.
The urban core and the central business district (CBD) of Australia's capital albeit a small one home to many shopping malls and dining options. It provides some of the most magnificent views of Parliamentary Triangle, one of the most important places in Australia.
Canberra's university district, home to the Australian National University and many museums with it, along with the Australian National Botanic Gardens, containing perhaps one of the finest selections of flora from all over Australia, from remote Western Australia, to the pines of Norfolk Island, and perhaps the only place where one can walk from tropical rainforests of Queensland to temperate forests of Tasmania around about in two minutes.
While mostly comprised of residential neighbourhoods, many travellers come to the district to see the Australian War Memorial, one of the country's largest and most important war memorials and perhaps one of the premiere military museums and sites in Australia.
Contains many of Australia's most important federal buildings, mostly contained within Parliamentary Triangle which includes Parliament House, and several other government buildings, many of which are open to the public. The district also contains many of Canberra's museums and the Royal Australian Mint.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Canberra has an incredibly active Geocaching community.
This alpine recreation facility features a bobsled ride in summer, and snowplay and tobogganing in winter. It is high enough to receive natural snowfalls. Check the website or call before heading up that the road is open, and that there is snow.
Festival of flowers, a yearly event held in spring (September–October), not to be missed at Commonwealth Park. Tulips are the main feature but many other colourful flowers and floral displays are featured. There are also sculptures, garden stalls, makeshift restaurants, activities, live music by local performers and sometimes there is even a gnome or scarecrow festival where children (and some adults) paint gnomes or make scarecrows and enter a competition to choose the best. Great for a photo opportunity!
A festival of modified cars, car cruising, burnouts, etc., which takes place first thing in the new year. If you are not into this culture, this is a good time not to be in Canberra, as even the most civilised hotels are overtaken by drunken 'nats'.
A must to visit, has many events, such as concerts, performances and an International Food Fair with over 200 stalls selling food of different countries. Happens every year in February.
Annual festival held in September at The Royal Thai Embassy in Yarralumla. The Festival is a bonus for floriade visitors and Canberrans alike and it's the Embassy's biggest free event of the year. Exotic event hall and beautiful court yard with 2 outdoor stages for live performances plus Thai food & beer, "made-in-Thailand" quality products, and fun & games for children. Do not miss this! The Philippines, Sri Lanka and some other embassies do similar events sometimes.
Held in February featuring shows, amusement park rides and agricultural competitions. Has most of the features of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, but on a smaller scale with less crowds.
Claimed to be "one of the top three hot air ballooning events in the world", hot air balloons fly over Canberra on most mornings in March. The balloons typically take off from the Parliamentary Triangle, and fly over the lake and centre of the city. The numbers of balloons flying tends to be greatest during early March and on weekends.
By train or coach
Jolimont Centre is the sole coach terminal servicing Canberra, with all coaches stopping here even if they are just passing through Canberra.
By car
The drive from Sydney to Canberra is 290 km and takes around three and a half hours from the Sydney CBD, less from outer suburbs in Sydney.
By public transport
Public transport in Canberra is affordable and generally punctual, with most parts of the city accessible by tram or bus.). Google Maps or Apple Maps are also usable.
By taxi
ACT Cabs is the local taxi service. Customers can book a taxi by calling the 24-hour taxi booking number +61 2 6280 0077, book using the ACT Cabs mobile App, or book a taxi online.
By car
Drivers are often confused by the many signs around Canberra that direct you to the "Town Centre".".
By bike
Bicycles are a practical way to get around Canberra while visiting, and will get you to most attractions using a well-developed network of off-road cycle paths and bike freeways.
By scooter
Neuron Mobility – officially partnered with the ACT government – has a network of e-scooters across the city, which can be used by anyone 16 or older (no drivers licence required).51/minute.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Canberra · Regional · CBR
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Canberra and Australia.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsPlan your trip to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia with match cities, ticket windows, domestic flights, visa rules, and budget advice.
8 min read
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to visa-free travel for US citizens. Learn where American passport holders can go without a visa, new eTA rules, and entry fees.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.