Canberra Airport

Australia's elegant bush capital where culture and nature converge.

Canberra is Australia's purpose-built federal capital, designed by American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin following a 1911 international competition. Nestled between Sydney and Melbourne, the city sits on the Ngunnawal Country of the Southern Tablelands and is defined by its sweeping boulevards, lakeside setting, and exceptional national institutions.

Far from the stereotype of a dull government town, Canberra boasts world-class museums and galleries, a thriving café and restaurant scene, and easy access to wilderness in the surrounding Australian Capital Territory. It is compact, walkable in its inner districts, and remarkably clean and green, with nearly half its land area protected as nature reserve.

• •Australian War Memorial — moving tribute to Australia's military history with vast collections and daily Last Post ceremony.
• •National Gallery of Australia — premier art museum holding the nation's finest collection including Indigenous and international works.
• •Parliament House — striking 1988 building open to visitors with free entry and panoramic city views from the roof.
• •National Museum of Australia — engaging stories of Australian history, culture, and landscape told through inventive exhibitions.
• •Lake Burley Griffin — scenic artificial lake ideal for cycling, kayaking, and leisurely lakeside strolls around its 35 km foreshore.
• •Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve — wildlife sanctuary just outside the city where kangaroos, platypuses, and koalas roam freely.

Getting around: Canberra is best navigated by car, though the Transport Canberra bus network covers most suburbs and tourist precincts using a reloadable MyWay card. A light rail line runs from the City Centre north to Gungahlin. Rideshare services such as Uber operate widely, and taxis are available but less common. Cycling is popular thanks to an extensive off-road path network around the lake and inner city.

Best time: Autumn (March–May) is the best time to visit, when the city blazes with golden foliage and the famous Floriade flower festival wraps up, followed by spring (September–November) for blooming gardens and mild weather.

Local food: Try a classic flat white at one of Canberra's acclaimed specialty coffee roasters, graze on locally sourced produce at the Capital Region Farmers Market, and enjoy modern Australian cuisine paired with wines from the nearby Canberra District wine region.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.