Things to do in Canberra with Kids
Canberra is a popular holiday destination for families, with plenty to do rain, hail or shine.
Plus the drive from Sydney is short enough to have you there in the early afternoon, with some good options for stops if the kids need a run around or toilet break (and parents need a coffee refuel!).
A member of the Inner West Mums team is just back from a school holiday visit with a preschooler and young primary aged kid. Here are some of her top picks. And if you’re travelling in the school holidays, check with each venue about special workshops and events. They can make a venue like the National Art Gallery more fun and accessible for kids.
Our fave for … a stop on the way
The picturesque town of Bowral is a popular stop en route to Canberra. Keep things super easy and pick up some pies from the award-winning Gumnut Bakery (Sonoma is just next door too), before heading to the Bradman Museum for a loo stop and run around the fenced playground. There are picnic tables there too. We also like the compact Seymour Park in Moss Vale, which also has toilets.
Our fave for … coffee
Lonsdale Street in Braddon is one of Canberra’s most well-known eat streets, and with a number of hotels and serviced apartments nearby, it’s a popular destination for an early dinner, ice-cream treat or coffee. Sonoma and Gelato Messina both have stores here.
Our pick for coffee is Barrio Collective at 59/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. They roast their own beans at their Fyshwick roastery and are open for dine-in and take away.
Also try: Keep an eye out for cafes brewing local award-winning Ona Coffee.
Our fave for … a dose of culture
Canberra Zoo and Questacon were definitely the kids’ highlights (more on those below!), but for the grown-ups a visit to the National Gallery of Australia topped the list. We were lucky enough to catch the Jeffrey Smart exhibition in its final weeks, as well as the Know My Name exhibition of Australian women artists. But would have been just as blown away by the permanent collection. The Cressida Campbell exhibition opens on September 24, with a drop-in drawing table set up for children and their carers to get creative, using various still life objects as inspiration.
There’s a cafe out front serving coffee, salads and pastries. Or pack the lunchboxes and take the kids for a picnic in the Sculpture Garden.
Also try: The National Portrait Gallery is a short walk from the National Gallery of Australia. Portrait Play workshops are running in the first week of the September school holidays for children aged 4 to 8.
Our fave for … junior science buffs
There’s something so liberating about a museum designed specifically for kids – no shushing or stern words about getting too close to an exhibit. Questacon is the kind of place where kids can go crazy, have fun and hopefully learn a thing or two along the way. And there’s much to learn and do for all ages, from space exploration to getting up close to lightening and earthquakes. We loved it so much we went twice!
Also try: Wet weather options we had up our sleeves (but didn’t need in the end), were the CSIRO Discovery Centre to learn about Australia’s contribution to science, and a free tour of the Royal Australian Mint. The fun of designing your own $1 coin sounds well worth the $3 price tag.
Our fave for … learning about history
The National Museum Australia is top of our to-do list for the next trip. The K Space kids area was closed over Easter, so we decided to skip it. But an immersive experience by the team behind Van Gogh Alive is running from June 8 to October 9, and sounds amazing. Titled Connections it will see more than 70 artworks from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists projected onto a 360 degree expanse of screens, to tell a story of culture and Country.
Also try: Check out the National Dinosaur Museum for a dose of prehistoric facts and artefacts. There are some informative displays inside, with a fun scavenger hunt to keep the kids engaged. Then wander outside, explore all the model dinosaurs, and jump in the jeep and pretend to be escaping from the T-Rex overhead. This museum is located at Gold Creek, a short drive from central Canberra. It’s also home to other popular tourist attractions, such as Cockington Green, the Canberra Reptile Zoo and the Bird Aviary, so pick a few and make a day of it.
Our fave for … animal encounters
The National Zoo & Aquarium was a highlight for the kids and we can’t wait to take them back in a few years when they’re old enough for some of the animal encounters and overnight stays. The zoo is easy to walk around, with plenty of opportunities to get up close to the animals. The kids loved watching feeding time for the cheetahs and giraffes. There’s a cafe and playground on-site too.
Also try: We visited the Canberra Reptile Zoo during a day at Gold Creek. It’s small and low key, with some open tanks for visitors to gently stroke a blue tongue lizard or turtle shell. Plus lovely, informative staff walking around with various creatures to pet: a snake, baby crocodile and a rescued sugar glider during our visit.
Our fave for … learning about democracy
We loved the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House during a previous visit, but sadly it was closed over the Easter school holidays due to fire damage to the historic front doors. It re-opened on April 28. Visit the Dress Up exhibition, get yourself kitted out as Beyonce, Malala, Adam Goodes and more, and learn about the obstacles they overcame to make their contribution to their world. The Museum’s children’s area Play Up Space (pictured) is excellent too, and there’s some interesting exhibitions for the grown-ups as well.
Also try: No visit to Canberra would be complete without a drive around Parliament House. You can visit too.
Our fave for … outdoor experiences
The National Arboretum in Canberra is a 250 hectare site housing more than 44,000 rare and endangered trees. A highlight for kids is a visit to the nature inspired Pod Playground (pictured at top) with its towering acorn-cubbies and slides. There’s a cafe and restaurant on-site in the Arboretum Village.
Also try: If you’re travelling in winter and want the kids to have a snow experience, Corin Forest is a 50-minute drive away. That’s one for the next visit! Tidinbilla Nature Reserve sounds amazing too.
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