Things to do in Canberra
A visit to Australia’s capital city might not have been on your original itinerary, but it should be! Canberra may be small, but it’s got all the calling cards of Sydney and Melbourne. With a large student population and plenty of people moving from large cities to pursue government or political careers, Canberra is keeping up to date with all the best food, entertainment and art trends.
History and Politics
Canberra is home to some of Australia’s most famous buildings including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, and the Australian National Museum. These marvellous buildings all help to tell the story of Australia, where it has been and where it is going.
A tour of Parliament House will give you an insight into Australian politics and you may even get to see parliament sitting! Move on to the Australian War Memorial and learn about Australia’s involvement in conflicts around the globe and pay respect to those who have lost their lives at the shrine of remembrance. Then continue to the Australian National Museum. With fantastic permanent displays and travelling exhibitions, the museum is sure to engage. The museum exhibits emphasise Indigenous history and culture, European settlement and our interactions with the environment.
Galleries and Design
Some of Australia’s best and emerging artists can be found in Canberra. Visit the Gallery of Small Things, the smallest gallery in the city, showcasing emerging local and international artists. At less than 6 metres square, it’s a hidden gem that provides artists with an intimate and supportive space to exhibit their work.
The National Gallery of Australia houses a huge variety of local and internationally renowned artworks. Their extensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collection is the largest in the world, comprising over 7,500 works. Join a free tour to learn more about the artwork on display.
Burrunju Art Gallery is a not-for-profit gallery showcasing hand-made Aboriginal art. The gallery exhibits emerging and established Indigenous artists, providing them a place to share and sell their work.
For the foodies
You no longer need to go to Europe for truffle hunting. Join truffle dogs Nala, Samson, Willow, Simba, Bear and Max for a truffle hunt at The Truffle Farm Canberra. Who would’ve thought Canberra’s climate was perfect for this delicacy! After finding the elusive fungus, sit down for an incredible six course dégustation with each course made in front of you using the freshest local ingredients and your harvest from the day.
From black truffle to bright desserts! Space Kitchen is known for its neon-coloured sweet breakfasts and desserts. From green pistachio hotcakes to a shimmering blue ball of s’mores there is something for every sweet tooth. Finish your meal with one of their delicious cakes and coffee.
Visit Patissez, home of the original freak shake. With new flavours consistently being added to the menu, you can never know what to expect. From choc-mint to pretzel-Nutella the combinations are endless! Stop by for a quick refuel on a busy day of museum and gallery hopping.
Australia’s capital has so many fantastic experiences on offer that you simply can’t miss it!
