Best tourist destinations in Canberra

Canberra, the carefully crafted capital of Australia, is equipped with multiple cultural treasures. It is no coincidence that the city is located between Melbourne and Sydney. In 1908, Canberra was chosen as the capital because of the rivalry between the two cities. The site was chosen as a compromise. The city is popular for its state of the art design, includes lots of greenbelts and is acclaimed for geometric shapes. If you want to relocate to Canberra for ACT state sponsorship or work, our article on Canberra can help you.

Top Tourist Destinations in Canberra

There are many tourist destinations in the city. With Lake Burley Griffin being the centre of the city, Canberra boasts about being a hotspot for tourists. Here are some of the famous tourists’ destinations in Canberra:

Australian war memorial

The Australian war memorial was inaugurated during World War II. Intrinsically, it is a massive monument that marks and commemorates those people who lost their lives during the war. It has far more important than just being a war memorial, as it includes an excellent museum, a vast gallery and a giant library. The courtyard of the Australian war memorial provides an emotional introduction to the site to the visitors. If you visit the place for the first time and spare more of your time spending at the Australian war memorial, you should take a 90-minute tour of the place. Believe us, it is worth your time.

New parliament house

The new parliament house can also be referred to as a piece of modern architecture. It contains boomerang-shaped structures that add to the beauty of the main building. The New parliament house was primarily designed to replace the old parliament house that sits at the base of Capital Hill. The place boasts a vast grassed walkway through which the tourists can enjoy the panoramic view of the city. The New parliament house also highlights two huge walls that are built from granite. The Great Verandah of the new parliament house is the space that welcomes its visitors and also serves as the background place for the ceremonies that happen on the forecourt. The building’s great hall serves as the spot for the large formal meetings, dinners, and other miscellaneous events. If you can spare the time, and are not in a hurry, visiting the senate chamber, member’s hall and House of Representatives chamber are highly recommended.

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Museum of Australian Democracy is located just near the new parliament house and sits at the base of the Capital building. King George VI initially opened it in 1927. The building is designed in a classical striped style and was home to the Australian Parliament till 1988. After the opening of the new parliament house, it became the old parliament house. While visiting the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, you will be able to sit in the old PM’s office, learn about the Australian democracy, take a tour of the press room and can go through crucial history related documents. The museum also offers free guided tours that will be of so much benefit to you if you are interested in the history of Australia. Apart from this, the building also flexes its national rose gardens that treat the eyes.

Lake Burley Griffin

It can be called the centrepiece of the city. It is named after the architect of the city, who designed the whole of Canberra. It is an artificial lake that was added to the city in the year 1958. The majority of the tourists and local people visit the place to stroll and bike on the waterfront paths and enjoy picnics. Lake Burley Griffin encompasses six islands, among which the Aspen Island is the biggest of all and holds the national carillon, which was a gift from the British Government. The National Carillon consists of fifty-seven bronze bells. Lake Burley Griffin is surrounded by some of the most visited tourists’ places and includes the National Gallery, the National Library and the National Museum. It means that upon visiting the lake, you can visit all of these places too. If you visit the place in the spring, the lake’s commonwealth park will serve as a venue for Canberra’s most famous Floriade festival. This festival is celebrated to enjoy the coming of the spring season.

Questacon: The National Science and Technology Centre

Questacon sits between the high court and National Library. It is the most advanced National Science and Technology Centre and was opened in 1988. Tourists worldwide, whether kids or mature ones, enjoy visiting the place because the place offers several interactive DIY experiments and other miscellaneous science displays to delight and inspire them. The place serves as a reminder of the importance of science in our daily life and seeks to provide information and understanding related to science. The tour to Questacon includes special events, science shows and guest lectures, including the free-fall slide and the Earthquake house.

National Portrait Gallery

It is situated near the National Gallery and contains over 400 portraits of some of the most influential people of Australia. In the National portrait gallery, one can easily spend and one hour or two while appreciating the portraits of Australia’s movers as well as its shakers. If you are a person with a taste for art, you should consider visiting the place during your visit to Canberra. The place may surprise you.

Cockington Green

Cockington Green is situated about 9 kilometres away in the north of the city and is the favourite place for families to visit. The place is situated between the prettiest gardens and encompasses many sprawling lawns. It includes a display of tiny buildings from all over the world and boasts about being a miniature English Village. If you love green places and want to visit the place, then you should consider boarding on a miniature steam train that will take you places in Cockington Green.

Events to attend in Canberra

There are many events in Canberra that happen throughout the year. The events you will attend depending on the time of the year you are visiting the place. Here are some of the most important events that you should not miss while visiting Canberra:

Summernats Festival

Summernats is one of the most entertaining car festivals in Canberra that happens in January. Hundreds and thousands of people visit Canberra for the festival, and that is why the event has set the record for car entries. It is a four-day event and provides entertainment to visitors and tourists.

Floriade

Floriade is a Canberra-special event that is celebrated in Canberra between September to October. It is a spectacular event that is celebrated to welcome the spring season.

Watch hundreds and thousands of flowers bloom in Commonwealth Park if you visit the place during the spring season. The experience you will feel there will be spectacular.

Canberra Balloon Spectacular

Canberra Balloon Spectacular is an event that one should not risk missing. It is celebrated in March and encompasses hundreds of balloon flights. Apart from this, the flights last more than 45 minutes. After the balloon flight is finished, all the participants are awarded a memorable flight certificate along with champagne. People who are spectating the event are free of cost to visit, although you still need to get the tickets to observe the event.

Multicultural festival

The multicultural festival holds a special place in the hearts of the people that live in Canberra. It is a special event that includes stallholders, paid performers, and volunteer performers. It is a one-day event that then goes on to become a two-week festival. It is celebrated to promote equality among different cultures and to minimize social exclusion for the people that live in Canberra.

Groovin’ the Moo

Groovin’ the Moo is an annual music festival in almost six regional centres in different parts of Australia. The event is held during the autumn season and is particularly celebrated in May. It is a three-weekend festival that the citizens of Canberra love. If you are a tourist and are visiting Canberra in May, you should consider buying tickets to the Groovin’ the Moo musical events and enjoy the festival with the locals.

Skyfire show

Skyfire is an annual march event that is held in Canberra. It is a show of fireworks that is synchronized with background music. Skyfire has become part of Canberra’s culture and takes into account more than 100,000 people every year. If you are a tourist and want to enjoy the Skyfire show, take your radio and blanket to the Lake Burley Griffin and enjoy the event while it lasts.

Conclusion

Canberra is a city of utmost importance when it comes to tourism. It is a city that has some of the best tourist spots in the country. Apart from this, the city is also home to Australia’s history and heritage. The city is also known to host many colourful events. If you plan on spending some quality time this year, it is recommended that you consider visiting Canberra because the city will provide you with all the pleasure you are seeking.