It’s the type of place where wandering is rewarded with unexpected delights, and you can easily get lost for an hour—or a day—letting your imagination guide you through an art gallery or delve deep into the wonderous world of science. From hot air balloon festivals to a gallery of living trees through to iconic Australian sights, we’ll reveal the best places in Canberra to experience the city’s exciting arts and culture scene.
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Before your trip, be sure to check the ACT government website for the latest travel advice and restrictions.
Admire Australia’s impressive art scene
From mankind to mother nature, an array of artists have their work on display in Canberra. You won’t want to miss the National Gallery of Australia, which has a collection of almost 160,000 works of art including the largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pieces in the country. From 5 March to 14 June 2021, the museum will be hosting a special exhibition, Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, which offers a chance to see over 60 paintings from some of Europe’s greatest artists. It’s exclusive to Canberra, so one not to miss.
The Know My Name exhibition is a must. Celebrating female artists and marking a commitment by the gallery to display works by artists of all genders equally, this exhibition is striking, colourful and diverse. Perhaps the most-anticipated piece of the exhibition is the surreal hot air balloon by Patricia Piccinini. Resembling a paternal whale looking after his little ones, Skywhalepapa will fly through the sky evoking a sense of wonder in all those lucky enough to see him. There are two remaining watching events where you can marvel as this whale floats up into the air buoyed by a specially created musical composition – book tickets to join in the fun on 8 March and 3 April 2021, weather permitting.
At the National Arboretum Canberra, the extensive National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia is where you can see human touch intertwine with nature as a living artform. Arboreal artists featured in this collection have sculpted living trees into miniature masterpieces through a form of gardening that dates back over 1,000 years.
The Arboretum – you might like to call it a living tree museum given it features 94 forests – also offers guided walks to sculptures placed amid forests of rare trees. Nest III, a sculpture of an Australian wedge tail eagle by the talented Richard Moffatt, is a prime spot for panoramic views and photo opportunities. Other grand statues, including one wind-inspired structure standing over 12 metres tall, await those who wander around the Arboretum.
Size doesn’t limit Canberra’s creatives. At the Gallery of Small Things, a quaint and cosy room in a suburban home showcases an array of small art pieces ranging from textiles to photographs to tiny sculptures. Workshops take place regularly for visitors looking to make a work of their own.
Art is in the DNA of Canberra and isn’t just restricted to being displayed in galleries. You’ll be immersed in art and design wherever you go in the capital with the cultural precinct of NewActon being particularly popular with those who love architecture, outdoor sculptures and murals. Nishi, a building with whimsical angles reminiscent of a pineapple, is the heart of the precinct and houses an independent cinema where you can sip bubbles at the Prosecco bar before watching a film. Spend the night at the sustainable, five-star Ovolo Nishi hotel were each room is outfitted with restored vintage furniture and decorated with original art pieces.
The National Portrait Gallery is also well worth a visit to see emotive portraits of more than 1,000 individuals who have made a lasting impact on Australian history. A new exhibition, Australian Love Stories, offers more than a typical wander and gander gallery experience. Instead you’ll read about tales of the heart that range from sweet to scandalous bringing to life each portrait. Australian Love Stories takes place from 20 March to 1 August 2021.
Enjoy a unique experience at an iconic Australian location
For many of us, the last time we might’ve stepped foot in one of Canberra’s government buildings was on a rushed visit with our schoolmates. This time around, you won’t regret experiencing the more immersive experiences these sights have to offer. At the Australian War Memorial, attend a moving Last Post Ceremony, which takes place every evening before closing and shares the story of a different fallen service member commemorated on the Roll of Honour.
At Old Parliament House, you may be surprised to find out politicians once battled one another at the ballot box as well as on the tennis court. Today, you can hire a court and engage of a bit of fun-spirited rivalry yourself. You’ll also find the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Featuring tours and engaging exhibits, the interactive who-dun-it? exhibit called Peril in Parliament is always popular with young visitors. Participants are encouraged to arrive in 1930s era attire as they search for who the mystery killer might have been.
Stepping from the past to the present, Australian Parliament House is where you can see Australian democracy in action. Walk the halls of power, have a chuckle at the humours scenes depicted in the large LEGO model of Parliament House, and send a postcard from the official onsite post office. Perhaps some fan mail to your favourite politician?
Hands-on exploration at Canberra’s many museums
Aside from being an art and history hub of Australia, Canberra also celebrates the wonder of science. Take Questacon for example, a science and technology centre that highlights topics like space exploration, physics, engineering, and biology all through fun interactive exhibits. Families with a penchant for thrill seeking will love testing their nerves at the centre’s slide where you freefall briefly before skidding to a stop, mimicking how astronauts float in space.
For the Jurassic aficionados of all ages, the National Dinosaur Museum is a must—if only to see the 20-metre long animatronic T-Rex come to life and pose for a selfie.
See Australian stories from new perspectives at the National Museum of Australia. The exhibit Endeavour Voyage reveals Captain Cook’s journey along Australia’s eastern coastline from the perspective of Australia’s Indigenous communities (on show until 21 April 2021). The museum’s photography exhibit, featuring stunning images highlighting Australia’s extensive landscape from the archives of Australian Geographic, is a fascinating look at our changing relationship with nature. No matter your interests, you’re bound to leave the museum feeling more connected to Australia.
At the National Library of Australia, you can browse through more than just books. There’s an entire section devoted to dancers, for example, complete with photographs, travel documents, cast sheets, brochures, and audio recordings. A large collection of ephemera in the form of decades-old junk mail, advertisement, magazines and scrapbooks is a delightful peek at the past that’ll leave you with a sweet sense of nostalgia.
Canberra’s festivals and cultural tours are worth the trip alone
No matter what time of the year you visit, there are bound to be festivals and events to enjoy in Canberra. The rotation of exhibitions and performances inside Canberra’s major museums and galleries ensure that no two trips are ever quite alike—though there are plenty of activities happening outside of these venues as well.
The Enlighten Festival, which lights up Canberra from 26 February to 14 March 2021, offers art installations in the form of architectural projections, an outdoor film festival, and a symphony in the park. A local favourite is the Canberra Balloon Spectacular (6-14 March 2021), a hot air balloon festival that brings colour and life to Canberra’s skyline. (P.S. hot air balloon rides over Canberra are available year-round!)
All year long, there are incredible cultural tours that will guide you from Canberra’s highlights to the city’s hidden spots. Hop on an e-bike and pedal an idyllic loop to see the capital’s top attractions and shimmering centrepiece, Lake Burley Griffin. Join Dhawura Tours on an immersive tour of the Ngunawal land, where you will connect to the land through stories of The Dreaming, the wildlife, and the natural bushland.
On the off chance that you miss an event, there’s a themed tour for just about every interest. Food and wine tasting tours, outdoor adventure excursions, photography walks, and even an axe-throwing adventures are all on offer for Canberra visitors.
Canberra is cooler than ever
Canberra is upping the ante when it comes to interactive events and exhibitions. As a science, culture, and history hub, you’re bound to find a museum or gallery to lose track of time in. Best of all, many of the city’s top sights are free to explore, with guided tours offered regularly. And if you’re after outdoor adventures or culinary delights, Canberra’s got you covered there, too. Heads up, you might need to spend longer here holidaying than you think!
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