Kristen’s guidebook to Canberra
Shopping
This is Canberra's biggest shopping complex, you'll find everything you need from groceries through to high-fashion.
177 locals recommend
Canberra Theatre Centre
London CircuitThis is Canberra's biggest shopping complex, you'll find everything you need from groceries through to high-fashion.
Entertainment
A great cinema complex that's just a short 5-minute walk away. Catch the latest movies in a modern, comfortable theatre.
39 locals recommend
Dendy Cinemas Canberra Centre
148 Bunda StA great cinema complex that's just a short 5-minute walk away. Catch the latest movies in a modern, comfortable theatre.
Local places
Spend a day exploring the Australian War Memorial.
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia and some conflicts involving personnel from the Australian colonies prior to Federation.
200 locals recommend
Australian War Memorial
Treloar Crescent (top of Anzac Parade)Spend a day exploring the Australian War Memorial.
The Australian War Memorial is Australia's national memorial to the members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia and some conflicts involving personnel from the Australian colonies prior to Federation.
Australia's stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The Museum's stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people.
Take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions. Get to know the real, the treasured, the surprising and the inspirational objects from Australian history.
Discover the stories and meanings hidden in the Museum building, design and landscapes on the 10 am or 2 pm daily Building and Architecture Guided Tour or join a Host Talk in the galleries, on the hour, between 10 am and 4 pm daily.
At Kspace, the Museum’s interactive adventure game for kids, build a time-travelling robot then blast off to explore a mystery location in Australia’s past. Sessions run daily every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4pm (one booking per session), cost AUD20 per session and the max group size is 12 people. Bookings are essential and can be made on the website.
187 locals recommend
National Museum of Australia
Lawson CrescentAustralia's stories come alive at the National Museum of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The Museum's stunning architecture provides an extraordinary place to explore the rich and diverse stories of Australia and its people.
Take a guided tour or wander solo through the many exhibitions. Get to know the real, the treasured, the surprising and the inspirational objects from Australian history.
Discover the stories and meanings hidden in the Museum building, design and landscapes on the 10 am or 2 pm daily Building and Architecture Guided Tour or join a Host Talk in the galleries, on the hour, between 10 am and 4 pm daily.
At Kspace, the Museum’s interactive adventure game for kids, build a time-travelling robot then blast off to explore a mystery location in Australia’s past. Sessions run daily every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4pm (one booking per session), cost AUD20 per session and the max group size is 12 people. Bookings are essential and can be made on the website.
Delight in the art and world-class exhibitions on show at the National Gallery, on the shores of Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin. Art lovers will enjoy meandering through the galleries and admiring the collection, including the famous 'Blue Poles' by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan.
The new Australian and International art galleries provide plenty of things to see, following a large-scale rehang of almost every piece. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection comprises over 7500 works and is the largest globally.
Due to current health advice on social distancing, timed ticket sessions for visits apply. The Gallery's International Art Gallery space and exhibitions, including Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now and Project 1: Sarah Lucas, are open for viewing. Visits will be timed, and bookings are essential.
206 locals recommend
National Gallery of Australia
Parkes Place EastDelight in the art and world-class exhibitions on show at the National Gallery, on the shores of Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin. Art lovers will enjoy meandering through the galleries and admiring the collection, including the famous 'Blue Poles' by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan.
The new Australian and International art galleries provide plenty of things to see, following a large-scale rehang of almost every piece. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection comprises over 7500 works and is the largest globally.
Due to current health advice on social distancing, timed ticket sessions for visits apply. The Gallery's International Art Gallery space and exhibitions, including Know My Name: Australian Women Artists 1900 to Now and Project 1: Sarah Lucas, are open for viewing. Visits will be timed, and bookings are essential.
Whether you are a culture lover looking to visit an exhibition, or you need a gift from the Bookshop, plan your visit today!
The exhibition galleries and the NLA Bookshop are open to the public seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday).
Visit their new exhibition, 'Illustrating the Antipodes: George French Angas in Australia and New Zealand 1844-1845', or discover highlights from their collection in the Treasures Gallery. Entry is free and you do not need to book a ticket.
The Library’s Main Reading Room and Special Collections Reading Room are open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday. The Main Reading Room is open on Sunday from 1:30pm – 5:00pm. The Friends of the National Library Lounge is open daily from 10am – 5pm.
70 locals recommend
National Library of Australia
Parkes Place WestWhether you are a culture lover looking to visit an exhibition, or you need a gift from the Bookshop, plan your visit today!
The exhibition galleries and the NLA Bookshop are open to the public seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas Day and Good Friday).
Visit their new exhibition, 'Illustrating the Antipodes: George French Angas in Australia and New Zealand 1844-1845', or discover highlights from their collection in the Treasures Gallery. Entry is free and you do not need to book a ticket.
The Library’s Main Reading Room and Special Collections Reading Room are open from 10am – 5pm Monday to Saturday. The Main Reading Room is open on Sunday from 1:30pm – 5:00pm. The Friends of the National Library Lounge is open daily from 10am – 5pm.
Look into the eyes of artists, musicians, entertainers, politicians, athletes and royalty who've all shaped the nation at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Gain a greater understanding of Australia's identity, history, creativity, culture and diversity via portraiture and stories.
Open daily except 25 December, and at the moment we need all visitors to pre-book a (free!) daily ticket. This will get you in to all of the gallery spaces, not just one exhibition.
109 locals recommend
National Portrait Gallery
King Edward TerraceLook into the eyes of artists, musicians, entertainers, politicians, athletes and royalty who've all shaped the nation at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
Gain a greater understanding of Australia's identity, history, creativity, culture and diversity via portraiture and stories.
Open daily except 25 December, and at the moment we need all visitors to pre-book a (free!) daily ticket. This will get you in to all of the gallery spaces, not just one exhibition.
Great for kids
Travel to the centre of an Earthquake, to the heart of a beehive, all the way to outer space!
Their doors will be open for timed sessions to inspire your imagination with the world of science and technology.
Tickets must be pre-booked online for all visitors in your group, including babies and children. It is recommended to book early as tickets for each session are limited.
146 locals recommend
Questacon - National Science and Technology Centre
King Edward TerraceTravel to the centre of an Earthquake, to the heart of a beehive, all the way to outer space!
Their doors will be open for timed sessions to inspire your imagination with the world of science and technology.
Tickets must be pre-booked online for all visitors in your group, including babies and children. It is recommended to book early as tickets for each session are limited.