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Canberra
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Canberra

The Planned Capital and its National Collections

2 daysIdeal stay₹8,500From / night₹2,940Food / dayFreeEntry

The national capital, in its own Australian Capital Territory three hours south-west of Sydney: a planned city round Lake Burley Griffin, with Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery and the National Museum, all free. Quiet at weekends and cold on winter mornings; Floriade fills the lakeside with flowers in September and October.

Highlights

  • Parliament House and its roof lawns
  • Australian War Memorial and the Last Post ceremony
  • National Gallery of Australia
  • National Museum of Australia
  • Lake Burley Griffin by bike
  • Mount Ainslie lookout at sunset
  • Floriade (September–October)

Things to do

  • Parliament House tourMorning · 2h
  • Australian War Memorial and the Last Post ceremonyAfternoon · 3h
  • National Gallery of AustraliaMorning · 2h 30m
  • Cycle round Lake Burley GriffinAfternoon · 2h
  • National Museum of AustraliaMorning · 2h 30m
  • Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament HouseAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Mount Ainslie lookout at sunsetEvening · 1h

Tours & tickets

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When to go

Best time: September – November, March – April

  • Floriade, Canberra — Canberra's free spring flower festival in Commonwealth Park beside Lake Burley Griffin, from mid-September to mid-October, with a night programme in some years.