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Awesome Things To Do in Canberra Australia

Even though I’d definitely class myself as a Melbournian these days (sorry mum!) I’m a very proud Canberra born and raised gal. My family and a good whack of my friends are in Canberra, so I visit there several times a year. I quite often get readers asking me about my favourite things to do in Canberra. Some of them (like drinking wine with my parents in their living room, having dinner with my gay husbands in Queanbeyan or drinking beer on my friend’s porch) aren’t an option for most people but here’s a more public friendly list of awesome things to do in Canberra.

7 Awesome Things To Do In Canberra

1. Have pizza and beer at Public

My parents and my brother-in-law live a few minutes away from Manuka so I spend a lot of time there. Manuka is a little hub of boutique shops and cafes and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for a designer gift, some great books or a good coffee. Public is my favourite and although some die-hard Canberrans might think it’s a bit of an obvious choice, I love it. It’s right on the corner of Flinders Way and Franklin Street and they’ve got outdoor seating, a tasty menu and a variety of different beer and cider on tap. What more could you want really?

2. Run the Bridge to Bridge

I totally understand that not everyone likes Canberra – that’s cool. We don’t all have to like the same things. It’s when people start calling Canberra ugly that I really get my cranky pants on. Canberra is STUNNING and the area around the lake is divine. I do the Bridge to Bridge (about 5km) every single time I’m there, rain, hail or shine. If you’ve never been to Canberra it’s the perfect way to check out some of the main attractions – The National Library, The National Portrait Gallery, the fountain and the Carillon. I usually park near the library and run in a circle over both bridges and come back to where I started – there’s a cafe right nearby so you can get a coffee and an ice cream when you’re done. It’s definitely one of the many awesome things to do in Canberra.

awesome things to do in canberra

3. Spend an afternoon at the National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery is one of my favourite places in Canberra. I’ll often go to the cafe and work from there for a few hours before hitting up the gallery. Also, the gift shop is one of the most tightly curated in Canberra. They have amazing jewellery, handbags and books. Definitely worth a visit. And it’s beautifully temperate all year round – I know that’s a weird thing to say but Canberra businesses tend to over or under heat their buildings but this one is always perfect.

4. Get coffee at Lonsdale Street Roasters

I never used to be that weird about coffee but since living in Melbourne, I’ve become very fussy. Canberra is one of the few places outside of Melbourne that has decent coffee almost anywhere. My favourite place is Lonsdale St Roasters. They’ve opened it all up recently and it’s a fabulous place to work or hang out with friends.

5. Shop in Braddon

I constantly get asked where the best place to shop in Canberra are and as I’m from Melbourne. I always go to shops that I know will have different stuff to Melbourne and most of those are in Braddon. I love Pink Inc, Unit Concepts and The Hive. Department of The Exterior and Things of Desire in Manuka are also beautiful.

awesome things to do in canberra

6. Grab a drink at Tilley’s

Tilley’s in Lyneham is one of the coolest places you can go in Canberra. It’s big and kind of dark and mysterious with old-fashioned booths and mood lighting. They often have music acts and there’s plenty of outdoor seating too. It opened in the 80s and it has a really awesome history. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re venturing out of the city centre.

7. Meet friends in New Acton

New Acton is one of my new favourite places in Canberra. It’s just a little bit out of the main part of the city with lovely little cafes, restaurants, bars and a cinema. I’ve found myself spending a lot of time there when I’m in Canberra. I’ve also Hotel Hotel is an awesome place to stay if you’re visiting from out of town.

Extra reading for those travel bugs…

7 Cheap Ways To Travel When You Have No Money 

9 Things You Don’t Need To Pack For Travel

5 Ways To Cope With Frequent Travel

Are you from or have you been to Canberra? Any cool places you want to add in the comments? I’d love to check them out next time I’m in town!

P.S Also you should totally sign up for my newsletter. It’s full of cool stuff.
P.P.S Don’t forget Crochet Coach has a free trial offer period at the moment so make sure you sign up!

31 Comments

  1. T 9 years ago

    Yes, I hate people who Canberra bash! I chose to leave, bit I love the place! Great list.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      Drives me nuts! Especially if people Canberra bash and they haven’t even been there.

  2. chrisatpb 9 years ago

    How lovely – what a great to do in Canberra list. I went once when I was 12 on family hol. Only vaguely remember war memorial and the lake, but I DO remember dad getting very cranky pants about the roundabouts. We are used to them in qld now, but in 1971, not so much. Please Carly to a Melb to do list. I have never been and I plan to rectify that in the next 12 months. Xx

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      Oh sure! Good idea! I’ve got my mate who’s a restaurant fiend making a list at the moment so it should be up soon!

  3. Mrs BC 9 years ago

    Don’t forget Questacon! We had the best time there in May, adults and children. By contrast, I would not return to the Mint for any money, it was super boring. Next time we’ll be going to the War Memorial, and the Australian National Gallery. Yay! x

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      I used to be teacher and I worked in child care in Canberra so you’ll never find Questacon on one of my lists – I’ve been over 100 times! 🙂 Yeah the mint IS boring… although Brother Smaggle works there as a security guard! War memorial is great and so is gallery!

  4. Phil Spence 9 years ago

    I reckon the AWM is a fascinating place to go that caters for people of all ages and is always updating its displays and information sections. It also helps us remember just how bloody lucky we are!!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      That’s so true! Much better for tourists though… I’ve been to the AWM several times a year for my whole life, I could almost read you any of the plaques by heart!

  5. Alyson 9 years ago

    Good one Carly! I’m born and bred Canberran with time away in Alice, and now in Murrumbateman – I’ve been through the Canberra bagging stage and see it now as the handy place it’s come to be, like me, it’s growing up! And quite nicely too 🙂

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      Oh totally! I hated Canberra growing up but I grew to love it as a young adult.

  6. Love this list! I’ve only done the kid-friendly things like Questacon, but I love the sound of the portrait gallery. Wandering around a gallery (preferably alone) is one of the most soul nourishing things to do. And don’t art galleries have the BEST gift shops?

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      Totally! And this one is the best… I go every time I’m in Canberra just for the gift shop. Questacon is fantastic but as an ex-canberra teacher with no kids I won’t be going there for quite some time! I’ve been about 8 times per year for my whole life!

  7. Hannah 9 years ago

    Great post! As a canberran, it’s strangely hard to encourage others to see the beauty when there is so much canberra bashing and political emphasis when the media refers to it. There is so much to discover, I love exploring it and it’s such a relaxing place (minus the crazy drivers!). I feel it’s the perfect mix between an Australian country town and a city!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      I get so annoyed when people say ‘Canberra made a decision today’. Canberra DID NOT make a decision, the government did. Drives me bonkers.

      • missellie13 9 years ago

        God yes that totally shits me. I’m a born and bred Canberrans, coming up for 47 years! But I’m in New York right now. What a contrast but I love them both.

  8. DQ 9 years ago

    Is the Asian Noodle House still on Northborne Avenue? Best pho I have eaten outside of Vietnam (and better than a lot I have eaten in Vietnam for that matter), the place looks dodgy as but the food is amazing!

    The NGA is also one of my favourite places on earth!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      It is still there! We got there often for Laksa… I’m totally craving a laksa now.

  9. Shelby Wright 9 years ago

    I used to hate Canberra, but only because I lived in Tuggeranong (and had no car).

    +1 on Tilley’s, and there used to be an awesome second-hand bookshop a couple of doors down which is worth a look if you’re there. I used to go to the doctor’s at Lyneham and would always treat myself to a bookshop browse afterwards, and a drink at Tilley’s if I was feeling flush.

    (+1 on the coffee too. Canberra really does have great coffee, doesn’t it? In my experience I’d almost rate it over Melbourne.)

    (+1 on roundabouts, especially the big one at Woden)

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      I was a Tuggers gal and living there with no car would be horrible! I was in Kambah until I was about 22… I OWNED the Parkway! I hope that bookstore is still there! It was awesome. And yes Canberra coffee is brilliant… I never struggle to get a good brew there.

      • Bookstore was there and going strong when last I was at Tilley’s – I forget now which book it was but I had my 10yo ‘niece’ with me and she had never heard of it so I insisted on buying it for her.
        I think it might have been a CS Lewis or maybe an Enid Blyton? Hrm…

  10. andy 9 years ago

    I’m Melbourne born and bred but I moved to Canberra for work and fell in love. I’ve been back home for a while now so your post made me very nostalgic for my favourite haunts.
    I’m glad you mentioned Tilley’s, it’s awesome. I also don’t understand when people say Canberra is unattractive. I used to walk around the lake on weekends and either wander into the National Gallery or the Portrait Gallery or just sit on a bench and read. Thie view across the lake is gorgeous. Another beautiful spot in Canberra is the Old Senate Rose Gardens, stunning in summer but all year round a lovely place to sit with a book (except maybe winter mornings…).

    I also really love Parliament House. I know it’s a bit of a Canberra cliche but it is a brilliantly designed building, with beautiful gardens and the view from the roof is spectacular. The The Old Bus Depot Markets in Kingston were another weekend favourite, great for present shopping and good food. The National Archives are worth a visit if you enjoy history, the displays are really well curated. Finally (can you tell I miss it?) Knightsbridge for a drink and Sage for great food, both in Braddon. You’ve got me planning a return trip!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      Ha! Awesome! I love Knightsbridge! Haven’t been there in years though – you’ve got me craving a Mojito!

  11. Carol Chapman 9 years ago

    I love Canberra and there are so many things to do and celebrate here, the arboretum, Voices in the Forrest festival, Floriade, a visit to Hall and the surrounding areas, the wine trail around Canberra , Murrumbateman – Wamboin and so on. So many great Restaurants and Pubs, in Forde we have a lovely little pub called Frankies and a really good Chinese Restaurant, Jimmy’s Palace. Yerrabi ponds and the restaurants there , it is a really nice place to live.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 9 years ago

      I love Jimmy’s! It’s the best! I always do Floriade if I’m there for it – they usually have a rad petting zoo!

  12. Wita | Design is Yay 9 years ago

    I was a Melbournian who moved to Canberra! 😀 Even though my heart will forever be in Melbournec (best city in the world!)… But I like Canberra’s parks. For some reason the grass is greener and the sky is blue-r (?), and I like how peaceful it feels. Other than that, I love Kingston Foreshore the most.

  13. Jo-Ann McMahon 9 years ago

    Visited Canberra for the first time this past September. My son and his family have a 2 year posting there at ADF. Loved it. Not long enough for me. Saw a few things War Memorial, Parliament House, lunch in Manuka, Floriade, The Lake. Not bad for a 5 day visit. Would definitely re visit. My son’s family love living there – would like to stay permanently but that’s not the army way. I was born and raised in Qld, but now live in Perth. Thought Canberra was tops..

  14. Bonny 9 years ago

    Canberra gets an unfair bad rap, mostly by people who’ve never been there! It’s an interesting city to spend a couple of days in with so many museums, galleries and the parliament, and if you have a car it’s relaxing and easy to get around. I was also pleasantly surprised by the nightlife and cafes – maybe something to do with it being home to a couple of big unis. My only complaint would be the freezing cold nights.

  15. Jessica Twigg 8 years ago

    I found your blog through friends and have loved reading it. I kept thinking your face was familiar and now I’ve realised it’s from high school (maybe the school musical?) Very cool!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 8 years ago

      St Clare’s? If yes then yes! The only Clare’s musical I did was Babes in Arms but I did South Pacific at Marist. Mr Smaggle was in into the Woods though! Does that sound familiar?

      • Jessica Twigg 8 years ago

        Yes Babes in Arms!! That’s so cool. I was a few years behind you I think.

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