Are you heading to Canberra for Floriade? Or planning a stopover on the way to or from the snow? Need a little help figuring out the best things to do in Canberra with kids?
We asked the locals what families should do in our nation’s capital. The best part? Most of the activities on this list are FREE.
The Mitchell Family take us on adventures around Canberra with Families of Australia web series.
The Mitchell family are our resident Canberra experts, featuring on our Families of Australia web series. So what did the Mitchells have to say when we quizzed them on their top picks in Canberra?
The Arboretum
This unique attraction could be described as a museum of trees, but its calling card is its awesome playground.
“The play equipment is broken into different age groups from toddlers to teens,” say the Mitchells. “There’s a café and a coffee shop, but you can bring a picnic too. Fly a kite, take a walk, look at the Bonsai, check out the forests and the sculptures and buy nice things in the gift shop.”
Acorn playground Credit: National Arboretum/L. Muldoon
The National Museum of Australia
The Mitchells love the National Museum because it is suitable for all ages.
“It has fantastic seasonal exhibits so there is always something new to see.”
The Museum tells stories about the land, people and history of Australia, and the onsite K-Space is a virtual adventure designed for children.
The funky area outside the Museum is good for exploring Credit: Shutterstock/Philip Minnis
The National Gallery
“We love the National Gallery because there is so much to see and do.”
“You can go back again and again and still feel you haven’t seen everything. It also has a lovely café and gift shop. Don’t miss the James Turrell Sky Space at dawn or dusk – it is magical.”
Make sure you check out NGA Play, a dedicated kids’ space with activities related to current exhibitions. Next door to the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery is well worth a peek.
There are more sculptures like these funky pears inside the gallery Credit: Shutterstock/TonyNg
The Australian War Memorial
The War Memorial exhibits tell an interactive and informative story of Australia’s military history, from the ANZACs to Afghanistan. Read up on everything you need to see with this War Memorial guide.
Wall of Remembrance Credit: Bound Round
Bus Depot Markets and local cafes
The Bus Depot Markets are a lovely Sunday morning outing, and the Mitchells recommend you stop in at Brodburger for lunch afterwards. The Kingston foreshore and suburb of Manuka are perfect for a brunch or a coffee.
“Braddon is a great place to wander around with lots of quirky little clothing stores, homewares and vintage fashion houses.”
According to the Mitchells, you should definitely stop at Fruggi for a delicious dessert.
“You cannot go wrong with the Salted Caramel ice cream!”
Bus Depot craft section on Sundays Credit: Shutterstock/TonyNg
Mountain Madness
The Mitchells recommend Mt. Ainslie for awesome views of the whole city, and Mt. Stromlo and Mt. Majura for their network of mountain biking trails.
Eager walkers can climb to the top of Mt. Ainslie for a panoramic view Credit: Visit Canberra
Family Travel tip: Questacon
Ok, this one is NOT free. But you can’t do Canberra with kids and miss Questacon. This is Australia’s best interactive science and technology museum. Budding scientists will love the ever-changing array of intriguing experiments, fascinating demonstrations and interesting displays. For those aged six and under, Mini Q is a custom-built area designed for little people to explore science in their own way.
Expect hands-on science at Questacon. Picture: Supplied
READ MORE
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What to do at Floriade Canberra
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Sophie is a die-hard pasta lover, beach-goer and theatre fanatic hit hard with the travel bug. When exploring new places, Sophie loves straying from the beaten path and chatting with locals about the best places to grab a bite to eat.