Canberra, Australia’s capital is a destination for all seasons. Indulge in world-class wining and dining, visit iconic attractions or take part in thrilling activities for the whole family, everything you love is just moments away. To help you get the most out of your visit to Canberra, here’s Part 3 of our bucket list of 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia recommended by VisitCanberra’s list in no particular order! You may want to check out 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia Part 2 too!
51. Hit the electric raceway
Adrenaline junkies will love Canberra’s Power Kart Raceway, an exhilarating racing experience featuring world-class electric go-karts on an F1 style indoor circuit. The Raceway’s latest generation OTL Electrokarts are powerful, reliable and consistent, with high torque engines providing a thrilling experience for novice and experienced racers alike. Together with its indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, arcade machines and café, Power Kart Raceway is the perfect destination for those who live life in the fast lane.
52. Catch a game at historic Manuka Oval
A Canberra fixture since the 1920s, Manuka Oval is home to local and national AFL matches, as well as local cricket and the famous Prime Minister’s XI. If you’re a sports fan of the bat and/or ball variety, don’t miss the chance to catch a game at this historic venue. With the precinct retaining much of its original tree plantings from the 1920s, the hustle and bustle of the surrounding suburbs will be all but a distant memory, and you’ll be completely absorbed in the game at hand.
53. Antipasto heaven at QT Canberra’s restaurant
Say ciao to Capitol Bar & Grill at QT Canberra, an Italian-themed concept restaurant and one of the city’s premier dining establishments. Between the antipasto table heaving with delicious morsels, the prime cut steaks cooked to perfection on the wood-fired grill and the desserts renowned for both presentation and taste, Capitol Bar & Grill delivers an inspired dining experience in glamorous surroundings.
54. Get active on the paintball field
Movie-set scenarios, quality equipment and professional staff are just a few features you can expect on a day out at Canberra’s premier paintball centre, Delta Force Paintball. Enjoy playing on quality fields, many of which are new to Australian shores, and experience an action-packed paintball adventure. You won’t be disappointed! Minimum paintball age is 16 years old, however MiniBall is paintball specifically designed for those as young as 10 years of age.
55. Get paddling on Lake Burley Griffin
Join in the latest aquatic craze with The Paddle Hub, Canberra’s newest stand-up paddle board and kayak rental service on Lake Burley Griffin. Located at the YMCA Aquatic Recreation Centre in picturesque Yarralumla Bay, The Paddle Hub offers a fantastic way to have fun and get fit on Canberra’s iconic lake. See why stand up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, or simply relax with a coffee and delicious healthy food at The Galley Café. The Paddle Hub operates seasonally during spring and summer.
56. Sip a local craft beer at Bentspoke
For a world-class craft beer experience, ‘hops’ on over to Bentspoke Brewing Co., Canberra’s premier microbrewery and taphouse. With one of the biggest beer fonts in the country, the 18 varieties of beer and cider — with Canberra inspired names such as the Barley Griffin and the Braddon Bitter — are lovingly brewed on the premises by one of Australia’s most awarded brewers. Bike aficionados will love the fit out, and the food — a modern take on the classic pub menu — is definitely worth a test ride as well.
57. View art in hip NewActon
Indulge in a feast for the eyes and the senses at Canberra’s Nishi Gallery, located in the exciting New Acton urban precinct. Nestled between Parlour Wine Room, the John Avery Gardens and the intriguing Nishi building, the Nishi Gallery delivers an inspiring range of local, national and international exhibitions and performances, and is well worth a visit for fans of the visual arts.
58. Wrap your hands around a gigantic Brodburger
If you’re a burger buff, you’ll want to wrap your hands around the giant, glorious hamburgers from Brodburger, one of Canberra’s favourite burger joints. Whether you’re a traditionalist who loves the rich, meaty varieties, or you’re into chicken, veg or seafood, Brodburger has the perfect burger for you. Pop into this buzzing little restaurant to get the ultimate burger fix. Brodburger started life in an old red gypsy caravan pumping out flame grilled burgers to locals. It got so popular they now have permanent residency in the historic Canberra Glassworks building.
59. Taste a world award-winning coffee at The Cupping Room
The perfect day starts with the perfect coffee and the team at The Cupping Room — including world champion barista Sasa Sestic — know a thing or two about creating a splendid brew. Canberra’s very own place of coffee worship, The Cupping Room is a concept cafe that takes its customers on a flavour journey across a range of coffee blends and delicious (and very photogenic!) meals. Together with its great vibe and fun atmosphere, The Cupping Room is a mandatory experience for all coffee devotees.
60. Walt and Burley – a pub with a view
Set on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin, Walt & Burley is an ideal bar with a view. Take in the expansive waterfront vista from the outdoor benches, or grab a prime position in front of the fireplace when the weather is chilly. Offering comfort food created from foraged and locally- produced ingredients, as well as a comprehensive drinks list, Walt & Burley is a seamless blend of welcoming atmosphere, picture-perfect views and gastronomic delights.
61. Patissez’s famous freakshakes
Tempt your taste buds and satisfy your sweet-tooth with the Canberra milkshakes creating world- wide intrigue and envy at Patissez. With stores in both Manuka and Civic, you won’t need to go far to get your hands on one of their fantabulous creations. Piled with brownies, cookies, pretzels and even slabs of cake, Patissez’s desserts-in-a-glass look as good as they taste, and their over-the-top presentation has taken social media by storm. If the shakes aren’t your thing, be sure to check out this inventive patisserie’s spectacular cakes and desserts.
62. Be a giant in a miniature world
Venture into the delightful and fascinating display of meticulously crafted miniature buildings at Cockington Green Gardens, located in Canberra’s Gold Creek Village. Featuring houses and monuments from more than 30 different countries, from Scotland’s Braemer Castle to Peru’s Machu Picchu, you’ll be captivated by this enchanting world of tiny people and tiny structures. The obvious attention to detail in the constructions and surrounding gardens is remarkable, and the miniature steam train ride is fun for everyone.
63. Blast back in time with Kspace
Take a blast into the past at Kspace, the new interactive kids’ adventure game at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Designed especially for kids aged 5 to 12, this hands-on experience starts in the Design Station where kids create their time-travelling robot. They then enter a Time Pod where they are blasted back to a mystery location in Australia’s past and complete a team mission unique to that time and place. Loads of fun for both kids and adults alike.
64. Questacon – where science is fun
For hands-on fun with an educational twist, you can’t go past Questacon — The National Science and Technology Centre, located on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. At Questacon you can free-fall down a six-metre slide, experience an earthquake or challenge a robot to a game of air hockey. Little scientists will love Mini Q, a custom-built gallery just for 0 to 6-year-olds and no visit is complete without watching (or even starring in!) a Spectacular Science Show.
65. Keep your little ones amused at Yarralumla Play Station
With mini-golf, a miniature train and a petting zoo, it’s fun for the whole family at Yarralumla Play Station in Canberra’s Weston Park. Try the 36-hole Canberra-themed miniature golf course where you can putt around Parliament House or tee off towards Telstra Tower. Take a ride on the miniature train ‘Bluebell’ and get to know the animals in the Petite Park Petting Zoo. There’s also a child-friendly café overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. The kids won’t want to leave! Free entry — prices apply for the mini golf and train.
66. Roar with the dinosaurs
Dinosaur fans of all ages will completely ‘dig’ the National Dinosaur Museum, located in Canberra’s Gold Creek Village. With one of the largest permanent displays of dinosaurs and prehistoric life in Australia, you’ll discover how dinosaurs evolved and interacted amid skulls, skeletons, murals, models and fossils not on display anywhere else in the world. There are even robotic dinosaurs that move, roar, blink and breathe! Wander through the lifelike models in the landscaped Dinosaur Garden, and browse Canberra’s largest display of minerals, fossils and crystals for sale.
67. Play in the pods at the Arboretum
Let the kids expend some energy at the magical Pod Playground at National Arboretum Canberra. The kids will have a blast hiding in the acorn cubbies, clambering across the climbing nets, making music in the banksia cubbies and slipping down the tube slides. You’ll appreciate the stunning views over Canberra with coffee in hand. Ideal for children of all ages, the Pod Playground is specially designed to both challenge and excite the Arboretum’s younger visitors.
68. Mountain bike heaven at Stromlo Forest Park
If getting active in the great outdoors is your idea of living it up, you’ll love Stromlo Forest Park, just 15 minutes drive from the Canberra city centre. Whatever your passion — running, walking, mountain biking, cycling or horse-riding — this world-class facility has you covered. With trails and tracks for all levels, as well as a criterium cycling circuit and event pavilion, Stromlo Forest Park is perfect for professionals and rookies alike. Bring a picnic and make a day of it!
69. Food truck paradise at The Hamlet
A paradise for foodies and market buffs, The Hamlet is an urban village in the heart of the Canberra inner city suburb of Braddon. Uber cool with a decidedly friendly vibe, The Hamlet is a dynamic self- styled space that has earned itself a loyal following for its buzzing atmosphere, one-of-a-kind wares and amazing street food. Devour a donut, chow down a chanchito, or go old school with a traditional pie. Add live music into the mix and you’ll be ready to plan your next visit to this funky little village.
70. See chefs bake while you eat at Autolyse
This buzzing Braddon bakery’s vision and mission is simple, to present the freshest products, all made in house and by hand wherever possible. Much more than just a bakery, the seasonal café menu offers French-inspired culinary classics. The team of chefs and bakers work in a huge open kitchen – so you can watch them work while you eat – to create a truly unique dining experience.
71. Honkytonks for a cocktail or two
Many of Canberra’s best cocktail bars, clubs and pubs are in Garema Place and nearby City Walk. That’s exactly where you will find Honkytonks, a bar bursting with atmosphere, music and artwork. Enjoy a selection of wines, local and imported craft beers and edgy cocktails, along with a menu full of Mexican treats.
72. Sample smoked meats in a rural setting at Poachers
Since 1991, the small family run business behind Poachers Pantry has grown from a producer of gourmet smoked meats to include a Smokehouse Cafe, Wily Trout cool climate wine range, farm shop, and cellar door. The family continues to have a passion for high-quality regional produce and visitors can sample their incredible range of gourmet smoked meats, sit down to a divine lunch in the Smokehouse Café or pick up some regional preserves, oils, sauces.
73. Highball Express: A taste of Cuba
During prohibition, an airline popped into existence flying ‘thirsty’ Americans to Cuba. Offering cocktails served in highball glasses, the flight became affectionately known as The Highball Express. Now a Cuban bar sits tucked away in Canberra’s Melbourne building offering a wide selection of rum cocktails, charcuterie and ‘Joy Flight’ – an exciting twist on their regular rum flights featuring a selection of bartender favourites, new and unique spirits.
74. Tasty tapas style food at Temporada
With a Spanish name that translates as ‘seasonal’, laid-back bar and eatery Temporada has become well known for its tapas-style menu, featuring locally-sourced produce and a wood-fired grill. Artfully plated, the dishes are as much a visual feast as they are delicious. The vanilla custard, mandarin sorbet, meringue and citrus salad is a must try. The wines list is impressive and covers local exclusives and international delights with a strong presence of French and Spanish wines. Rated One Hat in the 2016 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide.
75. Gus’ – a Canberra cafe institution
Canberrans have been meeting at this relaxed, continental-style café for nearly five decades. The interior is all sleek timber and chrome, but most folks take a seat on the footpath, alfresco-style – it’s what this city café is famous for, after all. With a menu that suits everyone from foodies to families, it’s a spot that’s always buzzing, especially at breakfast time. Try their seasonal fruits with coconut and cranberry granola, or their classic Eggs Benedict with ham, spinach or salmon.
We hope you enjoyed Part 3 of 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia. You may want to check out 100 Amazing Things To Do & Experience In Canberra, Australia Part 4 too! If you have done some of the above, do share with us your experience in the comments section below.
