Looking for the best things to do in Canberra with kids? After more than 15 years of family trips to the capital, we’ve road-tested 67 favourites for toddlers, tweens and teens, from museums and adventures to family-friendly restaurants and places to stay. Updated for 2026.
There are those that still consider Canberra nothing more than a roundabout-wrapped bubble for politicians and public servants, but they’d be wrong. The national capital has evolved into one of the most liveable and loveable cities in Australia, complete with edgy hotels and a groundbreaking food scene. And there are so many things to do in Canberra with kids that it’s hard to know where to start.
We’ve been coming to Canberra with our kids for more than 16 years, watching them grow from small children into teenagers and testing a ridiculous number of museums, galleries, playgrounds, parks, restaurants and adventure activities along the way. From the obvious family favourites to the places you’d probably never think to look for, this guide brings them all together, with ideas for toddlers, primary-school kids, tweens and teenagers, whether you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a longer Canberra family holiday.
Think fun, hands-on museums and galleries, mind-bending centres of space and science, adrenalin-packed adventure centres, sprawling parks, playgrounds and phenomenal family-friendly food and activities.
In fact, kid-friendly Canberra is so totally cool that we’ve braved just about every one of its 406 roundabouts to scoot, cycle, segway and stroll through its every popular nook and secret cranny.
Contents
So, after many years of staying, playing and eating our way through the capital, I’m sharing this mammoth round-up of the best things to do and places to stay in Canberra with kids, all road-tested by mine!
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The 10 most popular things to do in Canberra with kids
These are the big Canberra family favourites we’d put at the top of the list if you’re visiting for the first time or only have a weekend in the capital.
1. Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre
It has long been one of the most popular things to do in Canberra with kids and for very good reason. My kids are obsessed with Questacon’s 200-plus hands-on experiences, allowing kids to touch, play and explore a variety of science topics, returning every time we visit the Capital. Raff generally runs straight into the waiting arms of computer-controlled humanoid robot RoboQ and gets free-falling down a six-metre slide, while Sugarpuff loves freezing her own shadow, experiencing earthquakes, and watching the live science shows. Littlies will love Mini Q where they can play and learn in age-appropriate ways.
Accessibility: Questacon offers quiet spaces, sensory information, noise-cancelling headphones and Access Days for sensory-sensitive visitors. Social scripts are also available to help families prepare for a visit.
Canberra Mega Pass: Questacon is included in the Canberra Mega Pass, along with the National Zoo & Aquarium and Australian Institute of Sport.
Location: King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Hours: 7 days. 9am–5pm
2. National Zoo & Aquarium
One of the most popular things to do in Canberra with kids, the National Zoo & Aquarium is home to an impressive collection of animals, from lions, tigers and bears to giraffes, zebras, meerkats and plenty of Australian wildlife. Inside, the aquarium is home to sharks, rays, fish and other marine life. For something more hands-on, book one of the zoo’s animal encounters or behind-the-scenes experiences. The Awesome Roarsome Tour gets families up close to some of the zoo’s big cats and other predators, while the African Savannah Safari includes giraffes, rhinos, zebras and cheetahs. There are also school holiday programs for kids who fancy themselves as junior zookeepers.
Accessibility: Most areas of the zoo are wheelchair accessible, although there are some steep sections. Mobility scooters are available to hire, accessible parking is provided and the zoo has a social story to help visitors prepare for their visit. Families who find the full zoo a bit much can also split their visit over two days.
Location: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla
Hours: 9.30am-5pm daily, except Christmas Day.
3. National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia is an accessible, architectural blast, with dozens of Instagrammable nooks and crannies to explore outside and one of the most fun things to do in Canberra with kids. But the real fun is inside, where the diverse stories of Australia and its people are told. One of the best things to do in Canberra with kids is you’ll find loads of hands-on activities and play spaces, plus a variety of fascinating permanent and temporary exhibitions. But if you ask my two, Kspace is where it’s all happening, as they can design their own time-travelling robot that will take them on adventures through Australia’s past. Free general admission sweetens the deal!
Accessibility: The National Museum offers monthly quiet-hours sessions with reduced noise and lighting, plus visual stories to help visitors plan their visit.
Location: Lawson Crescent, Acton
Hours: Daily 9am-5pm.
4. Australian War Memorial
A must-visit, the Australian War Memorial is both a monument and a museum and provides an important opportunity to understand Australia’s experience of war and its impact on our society. Learning of the sacrifices that people have made for our freedom, the shrine can be a little confronting for children, but the kid-friendly Discovery Zone offers fun, age-appropriate learning through dress-ups and hands-on activities. My two especially love getting kitted up in WW1 clobber and leaping into the trenches. The Australian War Memorial is accessible, and entry is free.
Accessibility: The Australian War Memorial has wheelchair access throughout, free wheelchair and walker hire, accessible parking and an Auslan tour for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Location: Treloar Cres, Campbell
Open: Monday to Friday 10am–5pm
5. Lake Burley Griffin
The parks and gardens around Lake Burley Griffin, the capital’s mammoth man-made centrepiece, are made for family days outdoors. Walk, scoot or hire bikes or Segways to explore the flat paths that circle the lake, stopping along the way for playgrounds, attractions, cafes and picnic spots. Or get out on the water, with rowing boats, kayaks, sailing boats and motor boats available to hire.
Location: Canberra
Hours: All hours
6. The POD at the National Arboretum
The title of the capital’s coolest playground has to be awarded to The POD at the National Arboretum, a 250-hectare site dedicated to tree conservation. On visit after visit to the capital, they always request a stop at the magical play space. where kids go nuts amongst the playground’s giant banksia pods and stilted acorn cubbies. Connected by tubes, climbing nets, slides and rope tunnels, my little monkeys scamper about for hours. While the kids play, parents can soak up the incredible views across the newly planted forests of threatened, rare, and symbolic trees from the Arboretum’s innovative Village Centre, complete with a café so parents can also grab a coffee while the kids play!
Accessibility: The POD is accessible via sealed paths from the main car park, with accessible toilets nearby and wheelchairs available to borrow from the Village Centre.
Location: Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley
Hours: 7am–5.30pm in standard time and 6am–8.30pm during daylight saving
7. National Dinosaur Museum
The National Dinosaur Museum houses Australia’s largest permanent display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossil material along with a dozen animatronic dinosaurs, huge bones, skulls and full-size reconstructions of Australian dinosaurs, including Muttaburrasaurus. Educational and interactive, Raff was left in awe at the millions of years old fossils, while my bedazzled darling daughter was swept up in the sparkle of the giant amethyst crystals in the Amethyst Cove exhibit. Especially great for younger kids are the giant replicas in the Dinosaur Garden which will have your BYO beasties’ roaring with approval.
Top tip: The Gold Creek Adventure Ticket bundles Cockington Green Gardens, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, all within strolling distance of each other. It makes an easy, action-packed day, especially with little ones.
Location: 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls
Hours: 7 days. 10-5pm
8. Australian Institute of Sport
Let your kids discover their inner Olympian at Australia’s elite sport centre, the Australian Institute of Sport, home to Australia’s leading sporting champs. At this high-performance sports training institute, kids can get behind the scenes of Australia’s high-performance sporting precinct. Raff particularly enjoyed testing his athletic skills in Sportex, an interactive sports experience, where he slam-dunked basketball, performance rowing, virtual downhill skiing, football penalty shoot-outs and wheelchair racing.
Accessibility: The AIS has accessible parking, pathways, toilets and facilities throughout the precinct. Tours can accommodate prams and strollers, assistance animals are welcome and Companion Card holders receive concession entry for paid tours.
Canberra Mega Pass: The Australian Institute of Sport is included in the Canberra Mega Pass, along with Questacon and the National Zoo & Aquarium.
Location: Leverrier St, Bruce
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am–5pm and weekends/public holidays 9:30am–4pm. Guided tours run at 10am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2:30pm
9. Cockington Green Gardens
Explore the world in miniature at the very clever Cockington Green Gardens. Throughout the beautifully landscaped gardens, kids will be captivated by an enchanting world of tiny people and tiny structures as they visit highly detailed miniature versions of everything from grand European Castles to Indian Forts and Egyptian pyramids. As they travel through 30 different countries, they’ll even spot barge boats plying a canal, trains passing through tiny tunnels and a pint-sized game of English village cricket. There are a number of mechanised exhibits that the kids can control at the touch of a button, a turf maze and a miniature steam-train that does laps of the gardens to add to the enchantment for little ones.
Accessibility: Cockington Green is wheelchair, pram and walker accessible, with wheelchairs and mobility scooters available to hire and accessible toilets onsite.
Top tip: The Gold Creek Adventure Ticket bundles Cockington Green Gardens, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, all within strolling distance of each other. It makes an easy, action-packed day, especially with little ones.
Location: 11 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls
Hours: 7 days. 9.30-5pm
10. Parliament House
On our most recent visit, we only did a lap around the outside of Parliament House, as the kids were bickering with such skill that it already felt like Parliament was sitting … in the back seat of our car. So, we decided to ditch further parliamentary explorations in case Raffles and Sugarpuff were mistaken for members of cabinet. But visitors are welcome to wander the stunning public areas at Parliament House at their leisure or take a guided tour, view historic artefacts and check out the rather impressive collection of Australian art.
Accessibility: Parliament House has wheelchair-accessible public areas, accessible parking and bathrooms, hearing assistance and sensory support. It also offers a sensory-friendly tour on the first Sunday of each month and Auslan tours on request.
Location: Parliament Dr, Canberra
Hours: 7 days. 9-5
Top tip: Want to see Canberra’s big attractions without spending the day navigating its famously confusing roundabouts? The Canberra Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is an easy way to get around, with guided commentary and stops at many of the city’s major sights. It’s particularly handy for families who don’t have a car, or anyone who’d rather leave the driving to someone else.
→ Check tour dates and availability for the Canberra hop-on hop-off bus
Canberra family accommodation
Canberra is home to some of the hippest digs in the land. Along with arty, chic five-star hotels and safari-style stays, there are some seriously good accommodation options for families, from city hotels to quirky stays and places with room for everyone to spread out. We’ve stayed in plenty of places around the capital over the years, so here are some of our favourites.
11. Family favourite | East Hotel
We’ve stayed at East Hotel several times and the kids are always sorry to say goodbye. The spacious apartment-style family suites have a separate cubby with bunk beds, games, beanbags, books and an Xbox, plus kid-friendly dining and free bike hire for exploring Canberra.
→ Check current rates for East Hotel
12. Wildlife stay | Jamala Wildlife Lodge
Jamala Wildlife Lodge is in a category of its own. What kid wouldn’t want to sleep alongside a giraffe, shark or bear? The luxurious African-style lodge is one of Canberra’s most memorable family stays, with the Giraffe Treehouses overlooking a herd of very friendly animals who may even wander over for a feed. Do check age requirements when booking, as not all of the accommodation is suitable for children of all ages.
→ Check current rates for Jamala Wildlife Lodge
13. Central city | Novotel Canberra
The Novotel Canberra is a particularly handy option if you want to be close to the city, with the light rail, City Bus Interchange, restaurants and Canberra CBD all within easy reach. We’ve stayed here with the kids and they were suitably impressed by the little touches, including a welcome gift. There’s also an indoor heated pool, which is handy for weather-proof splashing.
→ Check current rates for Novotel Canberra
14. Boutique style | QT Canberra
We’ve also stayed at QT Canberra, a good option if you like your accommodation with a bit more personality. It’s right in New Acton, close to Lake Burley Griffin, Questacon and the city centre, and the quirky interiors and lively Capitol Bar & Grill make it feel quite different from a standard chain hotel.
→ Check current rates for QT Canberra
15. Apartment-style | Vibe Hotel Canberra
We love the arty, architectural Vibe Hotel Canberra, particularly for families who appreciate having a bit more room to spread out. The one- and two-bedroom apartment-style rooms have kitchenettes, and it’s less than 10 minutes from Canberra’s CBD, with Canberra Airport practically on the doorstep.
→ Check current rates for Vibe Hotel Canberra
Canberra’s best museums and galleries
Canberra packs an extraordinary amount of Australian history, science, art and culture into a surprisingly small area. Better still, much of it is genuinely fun for kids, with hands-on exhibits, interactive galleries, giant machines, dinosaurs, space technology and plenty of opportunities to get involved rather than simply look at things behind glass.
16. National Gallery of Australia
My arty farty twosome love the National Gallery of Australia and its thousands upon thousands of Australian and international works on show, dedicated kids’ gallery, the NGA Play zone, and an epic outdoor sculpture garden they love to revisit every time we come to Canberra. The permanent collections are free to view, including the phenomenal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art collection, which comprises over 7,500 works of art.
Accessibility: The NGA runs regular sensory-friendly sessions for neurodivergent visitors, with quieter lighting and sound, a quiet space and noise-cancelling headphones.
Location: Parkes Place East, Parkes
Hours: 7 days. 10.00am-5pm
17. MOAD – The Museum of Australian Democracy
The Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House is a wonderful, accessible space that celebrates the stories and spirit of Australian democracy. There’s an excellent family space called PlayUP – The Right to Have an Opinion and Be Heard, where kids can learn that their voice and opinion are important too as they explore the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child through fun stories, crafts and activities and discover that their voice and opinion are important too.
Accessibility: MoAD offers step-free access, courtesy wheelchairs and strollers, quiet spaces and a sensory guide. PlayUP is wheelchair accessible, and activities can be adapted for different abilities.
Top tip: Want to get inside Old Parliament House and hear the stories behind the building rather than just wander around? The 45-minute A Walk Through History guided tour takes you through the former parliamentary chambers, King’s Hall and the corridors where some of Australia’s biggest political dramas played out.
→ Check tour dates and availability for the Old Parliament House history tour
Location: King George Terrace, Parkes
Hours: Daily 9am–5pm
18. Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
One of only three active NASA tracking stations in the world, kids love exploring Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, a satellite communication station that is part of the Deep Space Network of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Along with enormous satellite antenna dishes at the wheelchair, pram and stroller accessible complex, there’s an exhibit looking at Australia’s role in space exploration, authentic space suits, a piece of 3.8 billion-year-old Moon rock, recent images from across the Solar System, spacecraft models and the Moon Rock café, an indoor/outdoor café with a playground serving down to earth dishes.
Location: 421 Discovery Dr, Paddys River
Hours: Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm
19. Royal Australian Mint
On a weekday you can join a free guided tour of the Royal Australian Mint that explains the history and process of making coins and observe coin production on the factory floor. Kids will be especially impressed with Titan – the Southern Hemisphere’s strongest robot – who can lift up to 1000kg and is known to bust out a pretty good move! The The Royal Australian Mint is accessible to all and entry is free.
Accessibility:The Mint is an accredited Accessible Tourism Destination and runs free Quiet Mornings for visitors with heightened sensory requirements.
Location: Denison Street, Deakin
Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am–5pm. Weekends and public holidays 10.00 am to 4.00 pm (coin production not in operation on weekends).
20. National Portrait Gallery
The National Portrait Gallery is another favourite for families in Canberra. Housing an excellent collection of portraits, there is plenty of artistic diversity and opportunity aplenty to open dialogue with the kids about the people who have and are making Australia the country it is today. During school holidays, the National Portrait Gallery offers conceptual and artistic activities that my little art lovers are particularly fond of, as well as kid-friendly guidebooks and hosted tours for children. Be sure to download Headhunt before you visit, the gallery’s interactive app for families.
Accessibility: The National Portrait Gallery offers free sensory-friendly kits developed with Aspect, quiet visiting times, visual stories and wheelchair and walker hire.
Location: King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Hours: Monday–Sunday. 10am-5pm
21. National Library of Australia
Much more than just a library, The National Library of Australia is a haven for book loving clans! The library is home to more than 9 million items, including fascinating collections of rare book materials, early European literature, materials relating to Australia and the Australian people and world-class Asian and Pacific collections. There are also exhibition galleries exploring everything from art and photography to literature and history.
Location: Parkes Place West, Parkes
Hours: Monday to Thursday 10am–8pm, Friday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1.30-5pm
22. Canberra Glassworks
The utterly unique Canberra Glassworks, located in Canberra’s Kingston Powerhouse, is Australia’s only centre dedicated to contemporary glass art and craft, and something special for families visiting Canberra. Kids can watch live glassblowing as artists create glass art in the ‘hot shop’ and can also participate in hands-on experience classes to create their own glass tiles during the school holidays.
For older kids and teens, there’s also the chance to get properly hands-on with a Make Your Own Bird glassblowing experience. The 20-minute one-on-one session puts you in the Hotshop with a skilled glassblower, where you’ll help shape molten glass into your own little glass bird. It’s suitable for ages 14 and over, so it’s a particularly fun option for teenagers who’d rather make something than just look at it.
→ Check dates and availability for the glassblowing experience
Accessibility: Canberra Glassworks has wheelchair access, lifts and an accessible toilet, although it’s a working glassmaking facility with noise, heat and other sensory considerations. Contact the team ahead of your visit to discuss access needs.
Location: 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday. 10am-4pm
Canberra’s landmarks, history and culture
Canberra is home to a number of important Australian landmarks, from the historically significant to political powerhouses and places that help explain the country’s past and present.
23. Reconciliation Place
Established on the traditional land of the Ngunnawal people within Canberra’s Parliamentary Zone, Canberra’s Reconciliation Place is a lasting symbol of the shared journey of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and reaffirms reconciliation is, and must be, a national priority. A visit should be top of your list of things to do in Canberra with kids. My own love is meandering down its pretty pathways to explore the many public artworks representing Indigenous culture and addressing reconciliation. Many are breathtaking in their beauty, while the power of others is in their stark reality. Every installation is fascinating, and each helps to teach kids about Australia’s past, and that connection is the only path forward.
Accessibility: Reconciliation Place is accessible to wheelchairs, with accessible parking nearby.
Location: Reconciliation Place, Parkes
Hours: All hours
24. Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Not on everyone’s bucket list of things to do in Canberra with kids, but for us, one of the most important places to visit is the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The historically significant site sits opposite Old Government House and has been a place of protest and political activism since it was first established in 1972. Drop by, leave a donation and take the opportunity to talk with your kids about First Nations history, representation and rights.
For more ideas, see our guide to Indigenous experiences in Canberra. and read more about Raff’s first experience of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy here.
Location: King George Terrace, Old Parliament House Lawn, Parkes
Active adventures in Canberra with kids
Whatever the weather or season, Canberra makes it easy to get active, with plenty of adventures indoors and out.
25. Power Kart Raceway
Let the kids unleash their inner hoon at Power Kart Raceway as they race world class electric go-karts through the chicanes, zip around hairpin bends and zoom down the straights of Power Kart’s purpose built F1 style indoor circuit. Kids (and their adults) receive a full safety briefing, and there are safety helmets provided and soft barriers around the track, just in case. It’s one of the best spots for family fun in Canberra as there’s also glow-in-the-dark mini golf, ice skating, arcade games and a café for refuelling. It’s the most fun you can have indoors!
Accessibility: Power Kart Raceway actively welcomes visitors with access needs and caters for wheelchair users, people with sensory or communication needs, and visitors with vision or hearing loss.
Location: 125 Canberra Ave, Griffith
Hours: Monday- Thursday 9am–9pm, Friday 9am-10pm. Sunday 9am–6pm
Read Raff’s full review of Power Kart Raceway with kids here
26. GoBoat Canberra
A GoBoat has to be the funnest way to explore Lake Burley Griffin. The electric boats seat up to eight people and come with a built-in picnic table, so pack lunch and a cooler and make a day of it on the water. With boats available to rent for one to three hours, you can cruise from the lake’s Central Basin all the way around to spot Government House at Yarralumla. Super fun, and so easy to skipper that even the kids can do it. No boat licence required. Just don’t get too close to the Captain James Cook Memorial Jet when it’s running unless you want a drenching! The fountain shoots (recycled) water a mighty 152 metres into the sky.
Accessibility: Boarding requires stepping down from the marina into the boat. Guests with limited mobility should contact GoBoat Canberra before booking to discuss their needs.
Location: 8 Trevillian Quay, Kingston
Hours: Seasonal. Check current session times when booking.
→ Check availability and book your GoBoat
27. Treetops Adventure Canberra
Ready to send the kids into the trees? Treetops Adventure Canberra gets families climbing, balancing and zipping through the pine forest at Majura Pines, with more than 90 aerial challenges and 16 ziplines spread across courses for different ages and abilities. Kids as young as three can tackle the Junior courses, while older kids and teens can work their way up through the more challenging levels. There’s also the new Networld, a harness-free network of bouncing nets and obstacles for kids aged three and up.
Accessibility: The park’s paths are accessible for most prams and wheelchairs, although they are uneven and unpaved and can get muddy in wet weather. The adventure courses require participants to climb independently and meet the relevant height and weight requirements, so contact Treetops before booking to discuss individual accessibility needs.
Location: Off Lime Kiln Rd, Majura
Hours: 9am-5pm daily. School and public holiday hours may vary. Bookings are recommended, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
28. Jet Flight Simulator Canberra
A great Canberra attraction for kids, Jet Flight Simulator is THE place for mini Mavericks (and their adults) to learn to fly and, hopefully, land a 737-800 in a simulation cockpit. Under the attentive instruction of an actual pilot, participants are taken through a pre-flight briefing that covers all the standard safety and flying procedures – complete with instruction on the necessity of engine throttles, flaps, elevators, ailerons and rudders – before they take to the skies for a thrilling half hour of flying the world’s most popular commercial jet. While Raff was pretty fly for a little guy, we won’t talk about his landing skills. Or lack thereof.
Location: 4/4 Montford Cres, Lyneham
Hours: 10am–8pm
Read more about our Jet Flight Simulator Canberra experience here.
29. K7 Adventures
For those adventurous families curious to try rock climbing, abseiling, caving or bushwalking, K7 Adventures offers a variety of safe, guided half-day, day or full-day programs across the Canberra region. For rock climbers, there’s the challenging Booroomba Rock at Blue Gum Creek in Namadgi National Park and the single pitch Gibralter Rocks in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. For beginners’ rock climbing and abseiling at White Rocks, a quality limestone cliff, there is something for every ability.
Hours: Booking is recommended/required to ensure the site is operating.
30. Corin Forest Mountain Resort
Do you wanna build a snowman? Well, rug up and get yourself to Corin Forest Mountain Resort for some seriously cool snow fun. Just 45 minutes from Canberra, you’ll find a dedicated snow play area with tobogganing and plenty of space to build the aforementioned snowman, plus there’s a ski school and beginners’ slopes! It’s the ideal place to get the kids started on the snow, without the huge expense. When the snow is gone, visit Corin Forest for trail walks and the epic Alpine Slide, a rollicking ride that will see your kids racing 1.2 kilometres downhill through the Mountain Ash forest.
Accessibility: Corin Forest asks visitors with accessibility requirements, including wheelchair access, to contact Guest Services before booking so they can discuss suitable arrangements.
Location: 268 Corin Dam Rd, Paddys River
Hours: Seasonal. Bookings essential. Check current opening hours before visiting.
31. Flip Out Mitchell
Weather sucks and kids are bouncing off the walls? Then let them bounce off the walls at Canberra’s best indoor trampoline park My kids have never met a trampoline they didn’t like and could happily spend hours bouncing in, up, down and around interconnected trampolines, soft pits and ball courts at Flip Out Mitchell.
Location: 4/45 Dacre St, Mitchell
Hours: Monday to Thursday – 9am-8pm. Friday and Saturday – 9am-9pm. Sunday – 9am-7pm.
32. Mr Spokes Bike Hire
Explore the beautiful foreshore of Lake Burleigh Griffin on wheels with Mr Spokes Bike Hire. Along with two-wheel bikes of all sizes, they offer four-wheel pedal cars for families, which we hire to leisurely pedal our way around the picturesque lake, past the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, stopping to let the kids run amok at the playgrounds along the way.
Location: Barrine Drive, Acton
Hours: Open 7 days during school holidays. Wednesday-Monday (closed Tuesday) at other times. Opening times vary by season.
33. Canberra Aqua Park
Splash into action at Canberra Aqua Park. The inflatable park takes over Lake Burley Griffin’s Black Mountain Peninsula each summer with a giant obstacle course packed with slides, ladders, climbing challenges and its famous jumping pillow. Sessions run for 50 minutes, with a safety briefing beforehand, and it’s a particularly good option for kids who like their Canberra adventures on the splashier side.
Kids must be at least five and able to swim, while children aged five to nine must have a paying adult on the inflatables, with one adult able to supervise up to four children. Lifejackets are provided and mandatory.
Accessibility: Disabled access is available. Contact Canberra Aqua Park before booking to discuss specific accessibility requirements. The surrounding Black Mountain Peninsula also has wheelchair-accessible facilities, including toilets, paths and a wheelchair-accessible playground swing.
Location: Black Mountain Peninsula, Garryowen Dr, Acton
Hours: Seasonal, November to March. Sessions run hourly and last 50 minutes. Bookings are recommended.
Canberra’s best parks, playgrounds and outdoor spaces
Canberra sure knows how to do playgrounds, with some of the biggest and best kids’ play spaces around. My own kids have slid, swung, spun and scampered through many of them over the years, with these among their top picks for kids in Canberra.
34. Boundless Playground
Boundless Playground is an accesible winner. Located on the eastern side of the lake near the Centenary of Canberra National Playground, about a five-minute walk from the National Carillon, a colossal bell tower that chimes every 15 minutes, this free, state-of-the-art play space is inclusive of children of all ages and abilities. A huge fenced-in play area boasts giant slides and swings, water play and forts, and the welcoming playground has been designed to cater to all kids, including those with mobility, vision and hearing impairments.
Accessibility: Boundless is Canberra’s first all-abilities playground, designed for children of all ages and abilities, with accessible play equipment, toilets and parking.
Location: Kings Park, Wendouree Drive, Parkes
Hours: 8am–8pm
35. Namadgi National Park’s Legoland
One of the more unique things to do in Canberra with kids, this “Legoland” isn’t about coloured plastic. Instead expect to find a series of ancient massive granite boulders, in nature’s shades, stacked on top of and tumbled across each other in beautiful bushland. Namadgi National Park is a large protected area located in the Australian Capital Territory, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, as well as many cultural and natural attractions. It covers over 105,000 hectares of land and is home to a number of walking trails, lookouts, and picnic areas.
Location: Naas Rd, Tharwa
Hours: Open during park access hours. Check ACT Parks alerts and conditions before setting out.
36. Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens are a surprisingly good place to let kids run off some energy while discovering just how much weird and wonderful plant life Australia has to offer. The gardens cover 40 hectares on the lower slopes of Black Mountain, with themed plant collections, walking tracks, ponds and plenty of wildlife to spot along the way. Kids can follow the paths through Australian landscapes while parents get their botanical fix, and there are regular family activities and school holiday programs.
Location: Clunies Ross St, Acton
Hours: Check current opening hours before visiting.
37. Lennox Gardens
This gorgeous space on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin may not host a playground, but it is home to two beautifully landscaped gardens celebrating China and Japan that kids will enjoy exploring. Along with the sculpture-filled, Qing Dynasty-inspired Imperial Chinese Garden, the Canberra Nara Peace Park, with its traditional torii gate and blossoming cherry trees, is the host of the enchanting Canberra Nara Candle Festival each spring.
Accessibility: Paved paths provide access through parts of the gardens, with accessible toilets available.
Location: Flynn Dr, Yarralumla
Hours: 7 days. 24 hours
38. Bruce Pink Lake
Canberra’s very own pink lake has become quite the Instagram star. It’s not actually the water that’s pink, but a blanket of Azolla pinnata, a native floating fern that develops a pretty pink colour. The intensity changes, so don’t arrive expecting a fluorescent pink lake, but it’s still a fun little natural oddity to show the kids.
Location: Eardley Street, Bruce
Hours: 7 days
39. Weston Park Adventure Playground
Lovely Weston Park is a 40-hectare park on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, in the southern suburb of Yarralumla, and its playground is one of the best for littlies in Canberra. There are swings, web climbing frames, sandpits, tactile water play and a picnic area with public barbecues by the shore. And across the road you’ll find the Yarralumla Play Station adventure park with its Miniature Railway and petting zoo.
Accessibility: Weston Park has a flat, pram- and wheelchair-friendly loop, accessible toilets, disabled parking and an accessible path around the park.
Location: Weston Park Rd, Yarralumla
Hours: 7am–11pm
40. Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Playground
After you’ve finished spotting brolgas, platypuses, koalas and wallabies, hit the trails or join a ranger-guided tour to uncover some of the area’s Indigenous rock art or take the kids to Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Playground. Taking its inspiration from its natural surrounds, the all-ages playground boasts a flying fox, dual slides, climbing web frames, water pumps and a bird’s nest swing for young children and kids with limited mobility. Parents can join the eastern grey kangaroos, who also like to supervise the kids as they play and explore in the safe, interactive play space.
For families who’d rather leave the driving and wildlife spotting to someone else, the Wings & Wilds of Canberra: Tidbinbilla Half-Day Private Tour is a lovely way to explore the reserve. The four-hour private tour includes pickup and drop-off from Canberra accommodation, with a local guide taking you through Tidbinbilla in search of kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus and, if you’re lucky, the elusive platypus. It’s a particularly good option if you’re short on time or want someone who knows where to look for the local wildlife.
→ Check tour dates and availability for the Tidbinbilla wildlife tour
Accessibility: The Nature Discovery Playground has a bird’s nest swing suitable for young children and people with limited mobility, while Tidbinbilla also has accessible toilets, parking, paved paths and a free heavy-duty wheelchair for day hire.
Location: Paddys River
Hours: Open daily. Reserve opening hours vary seasonally.
41. Stromlo Forest Park
Active families can take a hike on a bike around Stromlo Forest Park, the ultimate active outdoor circuit and venue of the 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships. With a variety of trails and tracks for all levels, there’s cycling, mountain biking, running, walking and horse-riding. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch for the family to muster up the energy to make a day of active fun.
Location: Opperman Ave, Stromlo
Hours: 6am–9pm during daylight saving; 6am–6pm at other times.
Canberra animal attractions
Beyond the incredible National Zoo & Aquarium (number 2 on our list), Canberra has some excellent animal attractions, from getting up close to alpacas and llamas to meeting sharks, reptiles and plenty of Australian favourites. Some are hands-on, while others are simply good places to let the kids loose with a camera and a sense of curiosity.
42. Blackwattle Alpaca Farm
For kids who think alpacas and llamas are basically giant walking teddy bears, a visit to Blackwattle Alpaca Farm in Murrumbateman is hard to beat. The 90-minute Alpaca Adventure takes you out onto the farm with your own alpaca or llama for a stroll around the dam, followed by a chance to hand-feed the herd and learn about these ridiculously photogenic animals, their personalities and their fleece. You can then settle in with a complimentary tea or coffee and something sweet while watching the animals graze. Children are welcome, although kids under 10 need to share an alpaca with an adult.
→ Check tour dates and availability for the Canberra alpaca and llama farm tour
Location: 315 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman
Hours: By appointment
43. Mulligans Flat Twilight Wildlife Spotting Tour
For a very different kind of animal encounter, head out to Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary at dusk, when some of Canberra’s most elusive native animals start to stir. The guided twilight wildlife spotting tour takes families into the sanctuary with an experienced guide, with the chance to spot kangaroos, wallabies, sugar gliders, bettongs, possums and other nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat. It’s a lovely way to see a wilder side of Canberra, and a particularly good option for older kids and teens who have graduated from simply pointing at animals behind fences. Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed, of course, but that’s part of the fun. Dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for an evening outdoors.
→ Check tour dates and availability for the Mulligans Flat wildlife tour
44. Canberra Reptile Zoo
If your kids think snakes, lizards, frogs and crocodiles are considerably more exciting than museums, Canberra Reptile Zoo should be on the list. Located at Gold Creek Village, it is home to native reptiles including snakes, lizards and geckos, as well as freshwater crocodiles. There are opportunities to get hands-on with some of the animals, too, so this is more than a case of peering at reptiles through glass.
The Gold Creek Adventure Ticket bundles Cockington Green Gardens, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, all within strolling distance of each other. It makes an easy, action-packed day, especially with little ones.
Accessibility: The zoo welcomes visitors with a range of access needs and caters for wheelchair users.
Location: 9/39 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls
Hours: 10am-5pm daily
45. Canberra Walk-In Aviary
For something a little less scaly, head next door to the Canberra Walk-In Aviary, where more than 500 free-flying birds from Australia and around the world flutter around the aviary. Kids can wander among them and, if they’re brave enough, feed the birds from their hands. It’s one of those attractions that works particularly well with little kids, although bird-loving tweens and teens may find themselves surprisingly entertained too.
The Gold Creek Adventure Ticket bundles Cockington Green Gardens, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the Canberra Reptile Zoo, all within strolling distance of each other. It makes an easy, action-packed day, especially with little ones.
Location: 18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls
Hours: 10am-5pm daily
Canberra shopping and markets with kids
Canberra is becoming quite a fashion and shopping destination, with the CBD is home to excellent shops and retailers and funky Braddon bursting with cool fashion finds. But beyond fashion, there are plenty of unique stores full of quirks and hidden treats that call us back time and again.
46. Quizzic Alley Canberra
Accio wizarding wares! Quizzic Alley, is an absolutely genius Harry Potter themed store, and an essential thing to do in Canberra with kids. With the biggest range of official Harry Potter merchandise in Australia, the kids will find everything from Bertie Bott’s Every Flavoured Beans to broomsticks secreted throughout its myriad nooks and crannies. Quizzic Alley certainly cast a spell on Potterheads Raff and Sugarpuff, who stocked up on puzzles, charms and chocolate frogs, sipped on a delicious QBrew and took the Weasley’s Ford Anglia for a spin. There are even potions classes for little witches and wizards, by appointment during the holidays.
Location: 5 Pirie St, Fyshwick
Hours: Wednesday-Friday 10am-5.30pm; Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm. Generally open daily during school holidays, with hours sometimes varying for public holidays
You can read Raff’s full review of Quizzic Alley Canberra here
47. Dirty Jane’s Canberra
Get your credit cards at the ready because Dirty Jane’s vintage and antiques emporium is packed to overflowing with a tonne of irresistibly cool and quirky collectibles that are you’re going to want to follow you home. You’ll find everything from handmade jewellery through to vintage furniture and artworks that make my repurposed, restored and upcycled soul sing! There’s also a working blacksmith’s shop, a barnyard and a rather excellent café, if you can tear yourself away from all the goodies on sale.
Accessibility: Dirty Jane’s has ramp access and an accessible toilet, although some of the smaller spaces between stalls can be tight for wheelchairs and prams.
Location: 80B Collie St, Fyshwick
Hours: 7 days. 10am-5pm
48. Old Bus Depot Markets
The Old Bus Depot Markets, Canberra’s award-winning Sunday market is set within a fabulous old industrial building on the Kingston foreshore and is all about showcasing the creativity of local artisans, designers and craftspeople. Whether you’re seeking bespoke jewellery, handcrafted homewares or unique clothing, you’ll find it here. Happily, those seeking to fill their bellies instead of dress them (i.e., me) can also taste their way through a world of irresistible delights at the atmospheric Sunday market.
Accessibility: The market has six accessible parking spaces close to the building, along with easy access from the car park.
Location: 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston
Hours: Sundays 9.30am-2.30pm
49. Canberra vintage and thrift shopping
Teenagers who have discovered that clothes are much cooler once someone else has owned them will find plenty to rummage through in Canberra. Braddon has Canberra Garms for curated vintage and designer pieces, while Fyshwick has several second-hand and vintage stores clustered together, including Designer Op Shop Emporium, Material Pleasures and The Thrift Hub. The latter opened in 2026 and sells clothing, accessories, toys, books and bric-a-brac.
And there are some genuinely fun thrifting events too. The Fashion Thrift Society comes to EPIC with vintage and pre-loved fashion, while the Three Sixty Fashion Market in Kingston specialises in higher-end designer, vintage and pre-loved clothing.
Quirky tours and experiences
Canberra is a curious sort of place. For all its grand monuments, national institutions and carefully planned boulevards, there’s a wonderfully unexpected side to the capital once you scratch beneath the surface. You can go looking for spies, explore the stories of the women who helped shape the city or head out after dark to see what the night sky is doing. These are the experiences that take you beyond the usual Canberra sightseeing circuit.
50. Canberra’s Badass Women Tour
As the mother of a badass woman in the making, I’m always happy to find an experience that puts women back into the stories of history. The Women Behind Canberra is a walking tour that digs into the stories of the women who helped shape the capital, revealing the people and events hiding behind some of Canberra’s most familiar landmarks.
It’s a great way to see the city from a different perspective, particularly for older kids and teens who have graduated from simply being dragged around museums and monuments and are ready for a bit more history, politics and scandal.
Top tip: Not suitable for children under 13, but great for teens.
→ Check tour dates and availability for The Women Behind Canberra
51. Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage walking tour
If your kids think spies are considerably more interesting than politicians, this one should get their attention. Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage takes you through Canberra’s secretive side, exploring the women who worked in Australia’s intelligence world and the places connected to their stories.
The two-hour walking tour takes in WWII bunkers, Old Parliament House, Canberra’s oldest hotel, the former ASIO office and the site of a Royal Commission into intelligence. It’s light-hearted rather than dry history, which makes it a particularly good option for older kids and teenagers who might otherwise roll their eyes at the prospect of another historical tour.
Top tip: Not suitable for children under 13, but great for teens.
→ Check tour dates and availability for Spies in the Capital
52. Canberra Riverside Stargazing Experience
Canberra’s wide-open spaces make it a surprisingly good place for stargazing, and this 90-minute experience gets you away from the city lights and out beside the Murrumbidgee River. An astronomer guides you through the constellations before breaking out the telescope for a closer look at the night sky.
There’s something particularly lovely about this one for families. Rug up, settle in under the stars and ask as many questions as you like, with blankets, hot chocolate and herbal tea included to keep everyone from turning into human icicles. Kids from four can join in, so it’s one of the few experiences that genuinely works across a wide age range.
Top tip: Allow about 25 minutes to get there from central Canberra and check the weather before you book. Stargazing is considerably less impressive when the sky decides to put on its own cloud show.
→ Check dates and availability for the Canberra Riverside Stargazing Experience
Best places to eat in Canberra with kids
Canberra’s food scene has got foodies in a flap. It has come a long way from pub meals and food-court fodder. These days there are excellent restaurants, casual family feeds, seriously good burgers, dumplings, gelato and some gloriously over-the-top desserts. Here are the places we’ve road-tested with our own kids.
53. Grease Monkey
I was convinced that nothing could convert me from being a hard core thin and crispy pizza base lover… until I headed to too cool for school Grease Monkey and discovered their Detroit style slabs of thick based pizza perfection. Their 8 Mile – topped with bacon, prawns, jalapenos, basil, cheese blend and a vodka sauce – was the stuff of pizza fantasy and I had to beat the family off to get more slices. Then there’s their juicy burgers, succulent fried chicken, addictive truffle mac and cheese bites, and jalapeño poppers that had the boys swooning. We can’t wait to get back for more.
Location: 19 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Hours: 7 days. 11am–10pm
54. Milky Lane Canberra
The burgers at Milky Lane are some good shizzle, yo! The coolest burger chain in Australia is serving up blinged-up burgers and shakes in its graffiti-strewn digs in Braddon, to a soundtrack of hip-hop. We love the locked and loaded Kevin Bacon, a double stack of char-grilled beef, maple-smoked bacon and American cheese with truffle aioli, barbecue sauce and caramelised onions. And the Chic-Kanye is stacked with southern fried chicken, slaw, maple-smoked bacon barbecue sauce, pineapple relish and sriracha. The burgers here are the bomb, but they’re big, so prepare for a little lay down after a marathon munch fest
Location: Unit 3/21 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Hours: Monday – Tuesday 12-8pm, Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday 12-9pm, Friday – Saturday 12- 10pm.
Read more about the Milky Lane burger experience here.
55. CBD Dumpling House
Did someone say dumplings? CBD Dumpling House has been a fave with my dumpling obsessed kids for a couple of years. A great place for a fast family feed, the city centre eatery offers a selection of popular Chinese staples as well as a choice of dumplings from Xiao Long Bao to pan fried dumplings.
Location: Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda St, Canberra
Hours: 7 days. 11:30am–3pm, 5–10pm
Read our full review of CBD Dumpling House here.
56. Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House Braddon
Because there’s no such thing as too many dumplings, we recommend heading to Yat Bun Tong Dumpling House in Braddon. With pleasant service, the family-friendly restaurant specialises in casual Asian dining; the Shanghai pan-fried pork buns and assortment of dumplings, including a rather special cuttlefish and pork incarnation, all got the thumbs up from my wee dumpling aficionados. The combination fried rice, which was happily hoovered up by all, also rates a mention.
Location: 10-12 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Hours: Monday-Sunday: 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
57. Agostinis
Fab family restaurant Agostinis, located in the lobby of East Hotel in Kingston, is family food heaven. The menu is seasonal. And while this mama is all about the Burrato Con Tartufo (Burrato cheese served with fresh local truffle and crimson grapes) and Frico (thin layers of Montasio cheese and potato oven roasted to create a crunchy, chewy pancake) on their winter menu, the kids were all over the pasta, made fresh daily, and fantastic pizzas served piping hot from the pizza oven (and available for takeaway). Oh, and did I mention the house made gelato? Delicioso!
Location: 69 Canberra Ave, Kingston
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 4-9.30pm. Tuesday & Thursday to Sunday 12-9.30pm
58. Ming’s Chinese and Malaysian Cuisine
There’s nothing my kids love more than authentic Chinese food, except perhaps authentic Malaysian food. Ming’s Chinese and Malaysian Cuisine offers both, and at a reasonable price. Generous servings of authentic clay pot cooking included a decent laksa and seafood-stuffed Char Kway Tao, insanely good Malaysian-style curry, fluffy, nutty and spicy nasi lemak, plus crispy and light roti. Plus, the great Asian drink selection included a delicious three-layer milk tea that had my tastebuds singing!
Location: 7/11 Botany St, Phillip
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11.30am-2.30pm, 5-8.50pm, Sunday 11:30am–2:30pm, 5–9pm
59. Brodburger
From its humble beginnings in an old red gypsy caravan in Kingston to today’s buzzing restaurant at Canberra Glassworks (there’s also a branch in Fyshwick), Brodburger is something of a Canberra institution. A family favourite for its warm service as much as for its flame-grilled fish, chicken meat and veggie burgers. Raff rates the salmon burger while the stacked veggie burger gets my vote!
Location: Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Ave, Kingston
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am–2.30pm, 5pm–9.30pm. Wednesday 11am-9pm. Sunday 11am-4pm
Canberra’s best sweet treats
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from travelling with kids, it’s that no day of sightseeing is complete without something sweet. Canberra has plenty to choose from, whether your weakness is chocolate, gelato, frozen yoghurt or ridiculously elaborate cakes. These are the places worth saving room for.
60. Pâtissez
Instafamous Pâtissez is the birthplace of the freak shake, great jars of milky deliciousness stacked high with marshmallows, caramel, pretzels and more. But there’s more than just mega milkshakes on their menu, with amazing fresh food including juicy burgers, a unique take on tacos, some pretty spiffy desserts and a bespoke French toast menu. Drool.
Location: 2/21 Bougainville St, Griffith
Hours: 7 days. 7am–2pm
61. Moo Moo Frozen Yogurt
Tucked into the Ori Building in Braddon, Moo Moo swaps the usual scoop-shop routine for a build-your-own frozen yoghurt bar, and it’s the kind of place that turns “can we get dessert” into its own little outing. There are eight flavours on rotation, from the signature Moo Moo classic, a tangy, almost fat-free vanilla and tart base, through to lychee, hazelnut, crème brûlée and chocolate, and then the real fun starts at the toppings bar, with creamy pistachio sauce, popping boba in mango or strawberry, edible cookie dough and fresh fruit all up for grabs. The pastel interiors and neon lighting make it feel more like an event than a pit stop, and there’s plenty of seating, so it works just as well for a sit-down afternoon treat as a quick one on the way past.
Location: Shop 65, 30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon
Hours: Check current hours on their socials before visiting
62. Jasper + Myrtle Chocolates
Chocolate-loving kids are going to struggle to walk past Jasper + Myrtle without buying something. This award-winning Canberra chocolate maker hand-makes its bean-to-bar chocolate using cacao beans sourced from Bougainville, PNG, with a seriously tempting range of classic and flavoured bars, drinking chocolate and chocolate-coated nuts and ginger. At the Dairy Road factory-workshop you can also see the chocolate makers at work, which makes this more than just a place to stock up on treats. Try the Black & White Sesame Milk Chocolate or Brandy & Orange Dark Chocolate if you fancy something a little more adventurous.
Accessibility: Contact Jasper + Myrtle ahead of visiting if you have specific access requirements.
Location: 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick
Hours: 10.30am-4.30pm Monday-Friday; Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm
Canberra food experiences with kids
Canberra’s food scene isn’t just about sitting down and ordering dinner. You can go truffle hunting, learn about local produce or even turn matcha-making into an afternoon activity. These are the foodie experiences where eating, drinking and getting involved are all part of the fun.
63. The Truffle Farm
From June through August, its truffle season in Canberra, with hundreds of individual truffle-themed events held across the state. One of the funnest things to do in Canberra with kids is head on a truffle hunt at The Truffle Farm. The kids will love joining the farm’s highly trained truffle dogs as they do their thing amongst the trees! But the cuddles will have to wait until the job is done and the pups are off duty, but by then, if your kids are like mine, they’ll be too distracted by the fabulous flavours of a tasting of truffle-infused cheese, honey and more.
Location: 23 Mount Majura Rd, Majura
Hours: Seasonal bookings only. Check website for details
Read more about our truffle hunting experience here.
64. Capital Region Farmers Market
If your kids are happier grazing than shopping, Canberra’s biggest farmers market is a very good Saturday morning outing. The Capital Region Farmers Market brings more than 100 stallholders to EPIC, selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to bread, pastries, cheese, honey, meat and plenty of things you didn’t know you needed until you spotted them. There are food stalls for breakfast and snacks, live music and plenty of local produce to take home. It is particularly good with younger kids because there’s plenty to look at, taste and sniff without having to keep them entertained in a shop.
Accessibility: The market is held at EPIC, which has accessible parking and accessible facilities. The market itself is on a large open site, so contact the organisers if you have specific access requirements.
Location: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Rd, Mitchell
Hours: Saturdays, 7am-11.30am.
65. Matcha and Ceramic Painting Workshop
If your teenagers have embraced the matcha obsession, you might as well take their performative matcha drinking to the next level. This two-hour workshop by NOA Matcha starts with an introduction to Japanese matcha and a lesson in whisking your own, before moving on to the really important business of painting a ceramic mug or matcha bowl to take home. No artistic or matcha-making skills are required, although your teens may suddenly develop very strong opinions about the correct way to do both.
Accessibility: Disabled access available. Contact the operator when booking.
→ Check dates and availability for the Matcha & Ceramic Painting Workshop
Location: Various Canberra community centres, including Braddon, Pearce and Tuggeranong
When: Selected Saturdays, 10am-noon
Canberra with kids by age
Toddlers and little kids in Canberra
Canberra is surprisingly good for little kids, with plenty of places where they can touch, climb, run, discover and generally make a glorious mess of themselves. These are the places I’d prioritise with toddlers and younger children.
Top picks: The POD at the National Arboretum, National Dinosaur Museum, Cockington Green Gardens, Canberra Walk-In Aviary, Canberra Reptile Zoo, Weston Park Adventure Playground and Tidbinbilla Nature Discovery Playground.
Tweens in Canberra
Tweens can be a slightly harder audience to impress, but Canberra has plenty to keep them busy once they’re past the playground-every-five-minutes stage. I’d look for a mix of hands-on attractions, a bit of adrenaline and places where they can actually get involved rather than simply look at things.
Top picks: Questacon, Treetops Adventure Canberra, Power Kart Raceway, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra Aqua Park, Canberra Glassworks, Quizzic Alley and Stromlo Forest Park.
Teens in Canberra
By the teenage years, dragging them around Canberra’s museums requires a little more strategic planning. The good news is there are plenty of activities that don’t feel remotely like school excursions, from high-speed adventures and outdoor activities to shopping, food and experiences they can actually get stuck into.
Top picks: reetops Adventure Canberra, Jet Flight Simulator Canberra, Power Kart Raceway, K7 Adventures, Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra vintage and thrift shopping, The Women Behind Canberra, Spies in the Capital: Women in Espionage and the Matcha and Ceramic Painting Workshop.
Getting to and around Canberra
Canberra is an easy road trip from Sydney and Melbourne, but it’s also well connected by air, so getting to the capital is relatively painless whether you’re driving or flying.
Getting there
Canberra is about a three-hour drive south-west of Sydney and around seven hours north-east of Melbourne. If you’re flying, Canberra Airport has regular direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
Driving is particularly handy for families because many of Canberra’s attractions are spread across the city and surrounding bushland. Having a car also makes it much easier to visit places such as Tidbinbilla, Namadgi National Park, Corin Forest and the wineries and food producers around the region.
Getting around
Canberra is one of Australia’s easier capital cities to drive around. The roads are generally wide, traffic is relatively light and most attractions have parking nearby. There are no toll roads, which is another bonus for road-tripping families.
You can also get around without a car. Canberra’s public transport network includes buses and light rail, with the light rail particularly useful for getting between the city centre and Gungahlin. Taxis and rideshare services are also available.
For families, though, I’d recommend having a car if you want to see more than the central attractions. Some of the best family adventures, including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Namadgi National Park and Corin Forest, are much easier to reach by car.
Parking
Most major attractions have onsite or nearby parking, although it can get busier during school holidays and major events. Check individual attraction websites for current parking and accessibility information.
Aleney de Winter is one of Australia’s most influential family travel journalists. She has been writing about travel and food for almost 20 years and is the long-standing editor of Holidays with Kids and its sibling titles, Caravan & Camping with Kids and Ski & Snowboard witk Kids. Her travel stories also appear in Signature Luxury Travel & Style, Escape, 9Travel, Vacations & Travel, Mindfood and Concierge, among others. Her work has earned a PATA Gold Award for Travel Journalism and eleven Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, and she served seven terms as the society’s Vice President. This website, which she started in 2011, has been named ASTW Best Travel Website three times. 