Looking for a new place to explore in Australia and wondering if Canberra is worth a trip? That answer would be, yes! Spend 2 days in Canberra and experience the city’s highlights. As Australia’s capital city, it is brimming with political and historical significance. Yet Canberra is no yawn fest. With trendy cafes and a buzzing nightlife, you’re sure to have an interesting and fun stay.
With this Canberra itinerary, we’ll show you some of the best things you can fit into 2 days. Visit Australia’s Parliament and the impressive Australian War Memorial. Spend some time exploring the free museums. Have a night out on the town and follow it up with a big breakfast. Your 2 days will be jam packed but you’ll see the best of the city.
Planning your Canberra itinerary: How to get around
For this 2 day Canberra itinerary, we’d recommend using a car to get around the city. We’ve always driven our car down from Sydney and used this to get around everywhere. Driving in Canberra is not like other capital cities. It’s pretty cruisy and you’ll rarely encounter any bad traffic. Many places in this itinerary require a short drive in between, so it’s the easiest option to get around. If you’re flying in, why not rent a car?
Parking is plentiful in Canberra. We’ve found that during the week most carparks come at a cost. It’s generally inexpensive, around the $3 per hour mark. If you’re spending a weekend in Canberra, you’ll find some carparks are often free over this time.
If you don’t have a car, it’s possible to use public transport to get around the city. It will require a lot more planning though, and you might not be able to visit everything on the itinerary with the extra time needed. You can use this journey planner for your trip.
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Planning your Canberra itinerary: Where to stay
One of the best things about Canberra is the huge array of accommodation options on offer. Being the capital city, and in “normal times” the host to many international visitors, there’s some amazing hotels in this city.
Canberra is not a huge city, so you don’t really need to be too concerned on the location of the hotel. This is particularly true if you’re driving, as everything is just a short trip away. If you are planning a night out in Braddon (more on that later), you might consider something a little closer to this location if you’d prefer to walk.
On our last weekend trip to Canberra we stayed at the Deco Hotel in Braddon. We were blown away by the quality of this hotel for the reasonable price paid. It’s an upmarket hotel that also offers one and two bedroom apartments. Our one bedroom was like a home away from home. The bed was super comfortable and it came with a little kitchenette (not that we cooked!). A super large couch was our favourite, perched in front of a massive TV. We commented that this would have been a great place to spend some of lockdown in. We’d highly recommend this hotel for your 2 days in Canberra.
Live in Sydney and need some weekend trip inspo? Check out our post on our favourite weekend trips from Sydney.
2 days in Canberra itinerary: Day 1
Day 1 at a glance:
Experience Parliament House || Visit some of Australia’s best museums || Walk around Lake Burley Griffin || Enjoy a night out in Braddon
Day 1 – Morning
You’re in Australia’s capital, so why not kick off your 2 days in Canberra with a visit to Australia’s Parliament.
If you’re heading to Canberra from Sydney you’ll probably arrive mid-morning, so we won’t pack in too much for this section of the itinerary.
Parliament House is where the Australian Federal Government meets. It’s a fairly new building, having opened in 1988. Prior to that, Federal Parliament meetings were held in what is now known as “Old Parliament House”.
Parliament House is an expansive building, containing nearly 5,000 rooms. Generally many of the sections of Parliament are open to the public. However, at the time of writing it is necessary to pre-book a free tour of Parliament House. This 30 minute guided tour allows for the control of visitor numbers into the building.
On the 30 minute tour you’ll see the key highlights of Parliament. This includes the grand Marble Foyer, the Members Hall and some parts of the art collection. Make sure you book your tickets in advance, so you don’t miss out.
If you haven’t secured a ticket, it’s still worth a quick visit to Parliament to view the building from the outside. There’s a great view down to Old Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial too.
Day 1 – Lunch
After your visit to Parliament, you’re likely in need of some food. You can make a short drive to nearby Manuka to grab some lunch. This area is one of the most trendy spots in Canberra, and is also very popular with the politicians given the proximity to Parliament.
There are lots of different restaurants and cafes in Manuka. If you’re after an all day breakfast, you could try a spot like Urban Pantry or Patissez Café. Or munch down on some Thai, sushi or Italian. You’ll be spoiled for choice in the streets around this area.
Day 1 – Afternoon
With a full belly, now is the time to go explore a few museums. Canberra is home to many world-class museums that are completely free for you to explore. If it’s your first time in Canberra, I would recommend just choosing a few. You can always leave some more for your next visit.
Heading back towards Parliament, but closer to Lake Burley Griffin, is the home of some of Canberra’s best attractions. Here you have the National Gallery of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the High Court of Australia and Questacon.
The National Gallery is free and well worth a visit during your 2 days in Canberra. This is the national art museum and houses one of the largest art collections in the world. There are lots of exhibits, split into Australian and International. You’ll need to check out the National Gallery website to see what exhibits will be showing during your visit. We were lucky enough to see the Yayoi Kasuma exhibit, the “Infinity Room”. This is quite an instagrammable favourite, a yellow room adorned in black dots and mirrors. It’s a bit trippy but well worth a look if it’s open. The National Gallery is free, although some exhibits may have an entry fee. Make sure you check ahead as you may also need to order a timed ticket for entry.
Heading next door, is the National Portrait Gallery. Here you’ll find some excellent paintings and photos of prominent Australians. The Prime exhibit explores our Prime Ministers in oil and pictures including Bob Hawke, Julia Gillard and John Howard. You’ll also find an impressive Mabo portrait and sport stars like Glenn McGrath. Book ahead for free and timed entry.
Across the way is the High Court of Australia. Having studied law at university I confess that I am a little bit of a legal nerd and so may be biased. But I believe a visit here is well worth it. You can enter for free, admire the architecture and learn a little at the same time. The Australian Constitution Centre which will give you an impromptu lesson in the constitution of Australia. Quite a topical area at the moment when Australians ask, why is it that states control their own borders and won’t open up to the rest of the country? However we were disappointed at the lack of references to the iconic movie, The Castle, which clearly put the Court on the map for most Australians!
You can visit both the Appellant and Constitutional Court. They sit about 2 weeks out of every month. Check ahead for opening times and to see if there is anything sitting during your visit.
Next up is the National Science and and Technology Centre. Or more better known as Questacon. If you’re travelling with kids, you might want to skip all the museums above and just visit here. With a host of interactive exhibits related to science and technology, it’s a great place for kids to learn and have some fun too. Check ahead for opening times and entry prices for the different exhibits.
All 4 of the above attractions are effectively in the same complex in Parkes Place. You can park at one of the parking bays (we chose the National Gallery first) and then just walk between them all. When we visited, parking was ticketed during the week, but free on weekends.
If you’re after some fresh air before dinner, consider a walk along Lake Burley Griffin. The centre of Canberra, this artificial lake has 40km of shoreline. It’s a popular spot for locals to enjoy a daily walk. Or you can even get out for some water sports, including kayaking and sailing.
Day 1 – Dinner/Evening
For an evening out in Canberra, head out to Lonsdale Street in Braddon. Just moments from the city centre, this buzzing district is filled with trendy restaurants and hip cafes. It’s super popular, so if you’re spending a weekend in Canberra, make sure you book ahead. We made that mistake on our last trip, and found it really difficult to get a table anywhere. There are lots of well-rated restaurants along Lonsdale Street. If you’re in the mood for Thai, try the well-rated Zaab. Or if you want something more casual, there’s spots like Mookie Burger and Milky Lane. If you’re driving in, there are parking bays nearby. They tend to fill early, so perhaps consider taking a taxi. That way you can enjoy some drinks too.
If you’re after something a little less hectic with a more local feel, head up to nearby Dickson. Along Wooley Street you’ll find Canberra’s Chinatown. You won’t just find Chinese food here though, there’s a good range of Asian restaurants including Japanese and Thai too. We’ve enjoyed a simple dinner at Two Sisters Lao and Thai Cuisine, which is situated along the main street.
Canberra is a great half way stop between Sydney and the stunning Sapphire Coast. Check out our post on the top things to do on the Sapphire Coast for some more trip inspo.
2 days in Canberra itinerary: Day 2
Day 2 at a glance:
Enjoy breakfast on the Kingston Foreshore || Visit the Australian War Memorial || See the Canberra Centre || Hike or drive up Mount Ainslie
Day 1 – Morning
Start off your second day in Canberra right with a hearty breakfast. If you’d like to explore a different area, head to the Kingston Foreshore. This waterside hub is home to a number of highly rated cafes, and is a very popular spot to visit. We haven’t had a chance to try all the cafes, but can recommend the Local Press Wholefoods café. The food served up here has been processed as little as possible, free from additives and preservatives and tastes great!
Your next destination sees you head to the Australian War Memorial, a must do during your 2 days in Canberra.
The Australian War Memorial is the national memorial for the armed forces. It was built in 1941 and houses a shrine, a museum and a section full of war records. Depending on your interest, you might just choose a visit to the shrine. Or if you’re interested in learning a lot more about the role of Australia in world wars, consider allocating a few hours to visit the museum.
The War Memorial has a beautiful exterior and dome. Inside, poppies adorn the Roll of Honour. At the back of the shrine is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This area is covered in beautiful stained glass paintings and mosaics of the armed forces.
Heading inside you can visit the Anzac Hall and the First and Second World War Galleries. The Anzac Hall is like the interior of an aircraft hangar. You’ll find a range of aircraft, tanks, and a small submarine on display here.
The First and Second World War Galleries display a first rate history of Australia’s involvement in the wars. A highlight is one of the original landing boats from Anzac Day 1915. The boat is still in ridiculously good condition, having been found on the beach after the war concluded. The model re-enactments are eerily true to life for figurines. The colour scheme and anguish on the faces all feels far too real. We spent a good 2 hours wandering through the museum here. To this day it has been one of the most memorable and eye-opening museum experiences we’ve visited.
Entry is free to the shrine and museum. However, whilst usually you’re able to just walk in when you choose, at the time of writing you’ll need to obtain a timed entry ticket. There are different options based on what you’d like to visit and how long you’ve got to spend at the War Memorial. Make sure you check the War Memorial website in advance and decide on what you’d like to see.
Day 1 – Lunch
If you’ve spent a few hours at the War Memorial, by now you’re probably famished. If you want a quick bite, there are a couple of decent cafés on the grounds of the memorial.
However, if you’d like to try something different, head nearby to the Canberra Centre. This large mall in the centre of the city has a huge array of restaurants. Don’t confine yourself just to the shopping mall though, explore the outer streets too. Some of the most buzzing restaurants when we visited included Kinn Thai and Koko Black.
Day 1 – Afternoon
For your last afternoon in Canberra, I’ll suggest a few different options. There’s just so much to do here and it’s hard to pack into 2 days!
Firstly, if you’re after some retail therapy, spend some time exploring the Canberra Centre. As Canberra’s premier shopping mall, you’re likely to be impressed at the array of stores on offer here.
If you’d like to get out into nature, head to the National Arboretum. This is a huge 250 hectare site filled with walking tracks, rare trees and fantastic views. If you’re a fan of the bonsai tree, make sure you stop here to explore the large collection.
Really want to get the heart pumping? Consider the trek up to Mount Ainslie, arguably the best lookout in Canberra. If you still want the view without the walk, don’t fear. It’s also possible to drive up to the lookout too. Check the official website in advance to view the different options for the walk.
Finally, if you’re not all “museumed” out yet, consider heading to the National Museum of Australia. A great option if you’re travelling with kids, there are a range of exhibits on display here. Check the website in advance to see what’s on.
Day 1 – Dinner/Evening
If you’re just spending 2 days in Canberra, you’re likely to be heading back home in the evening. We hope you had an enjoyable trip to the nation’s capital!
If you’ve still got a night to spare, consider a visit to see the Nishi building in the New Acton precinct. The Nishi building is a world-class design featuring the best in sustainable practices. It’s also a funky building to look at. There are a few restaurants in the area where you can dine, and also head to the Palace Electric Cinemas afterwards for a movie night. A fun way to end your 2 days in Canberra!
This concludes our Canberra itinerary. As you can see, there’s so much to experience in this city. We’d love to hear about your trip in the comments below. Is there anything else you’d add to this 2 day itinerary?
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