Canberra in 7 days

Australia's planned capital - museums, galleries and a lake-ringed bush city. Best time to visit: March-May (autumn) and September-November (spring). Average daily budget: $110 to $180 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Parliamentary Triangle, The civic heart - Parliament House, the national galleries and museums.

Morning: Australian War Memorial. One of the world's great war memorials and museums - moving and free, with a daily Last Post ceremony.

Afternoon: Explore Parliamentary Triangle, The civic heart - Parliament House, the national galleries and museums.

Evening: Mount Ainslie lookout. The classic view straight down the Parliamentary axis, best at sunset.

Eat: Laneway dining and craft beer in Braddon

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Civic (City Centre), Shopping, dining and the Canberra Centre, close to the lake.

Morning: Parliament House. Tour the seat of government and walk up onto its grass roof for city views.

Afternoon: Explore Civic (City Centre), Shopping, dining and the Canberra Centre, close to the lake.

Evening: National Gallery & museums. World-class collections at the National Gallery, National Museum and Portrait Gallery - mostly free.

Eat: Waterfront restaurants at Kingston Foreshore

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Braddon, The hip district of laneway bars, cafés and boutiques.

Morning: Lake Burley Griffin. Cycle or walk the lakeside loop past the fountain, bridges and foreshores.

Afternoon: Explore Braddon, The hip district of laneway bars, cafés and boutiques.

Evening: National Arboretum - 94 forests on a hill with sweeping city views and a great café.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Canberra district cool-climate wines

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Kingston Foreshore, A waterfront dining precinct with weekend markets.

Morning: Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston on Sundays for food and crafts.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Kingston Foreshore, A waterfront dining precinct with weekend markets.

Evening: Lonsdale Street in Braddon for the city's best coffee and bars.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Weekend market food at the Old Bus Depot

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Acton & the Lake, The university, the arboretum and lakeside cycling paths.

Morning: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for kangaroos, platypus and bushwalks just outside town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Acton & the Lake, The university, the arboretum and lakeside cycling paths.

Evening: Dinner at Laneway dining and craft beer in Braddon, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Acton & the Lake.

Eat: Laneway dining and craft beer in Braddon

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Parliamentary Triangle, The civic heart - Parliament House, the national galleries and museums.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Parliamentary Triangle, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Parliamentary Triangle, The civic heart - Parliament House, the national galleries and museums.

Evening: Dinner at Waterfront restaurants at Kingston Foreshore, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Parliamentary Triangle.

Eat: Waterfront restaurants at Kingston Foreshore

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Civic (City Centre), Shopping, dining and the Canberra Centre, close to the lake.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Civic (City Centre), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Civic (City Centre), Shopping, dining and the Canberra Centre, close to the lake.

Evening: Dinner at Canberra district cool-climate wines, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Civic (City Centre).

Eat: Canberra district cool-climate wines

Hidden gems

National Arboretum - 94 forests on a hill with sweeping city views and a great café.
Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston on Sundays for food and crafts.
Lonsdale Street in Braddon for the city's best coffee and bars.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for kangaroos, platypus and bushwalks just outside town.

Getting around

A light-rail line links Gungahlin to the city, and buses cover the rest, but Canberra is spread out and a hire car or ride-share makes the museums and outer attractions far easier. The lakeside cycling paths are excellent. The airport is about 15 minutes from the centre.

Safety

Canberra is one of Australia's safest cities, with very low crime and easy navigation. Winters (June-August) are genuinely cold with frosts, so pack warm layers. Summer can bring high heat and occasional bushfire smoke. Distances between sights are larger than they look, so plan transport ahead.

Canberra in 3 days | Canberra in 5 days | Full Canberra guide