Canberra Travel Guide: How to See the City in 48 Hours
Canberra is one of Australia’s most underrated destinations, and in this Canberra travel guide, I’m going to show you why. After spending four years exploring every corner of the country, I finally made a stop in Australia’s quirky capital. In this guide, I’ll share my top insights for visiting Canberra and let you decide the answer to Australia’s biggest question: Is Canberra worth visiting?
How to Get to Canberra: Flights, Driving & Bus Options
Wondering about the best way to get to Canberra? It really depends on where you’re coming from. If you’re traveling from further afield, flying into Canberra Airport is your easiest option. Canberra is a small city but a major business hub, so there are 40+ domestic flights arriving daily, making it easy to find an affordable option.
For visitors coming from nearby cities like Sydney, driving is a great choice — it takes around 3 hours. Personally, I decided to try the bus instead (cue confusion!). I booked a FlixBus, and it was such a relaxing experience.
The 3-hour ride meant I didn’t have to focus on driving or pay for fuel, and I got dropped right in the centre of Canberra in a comfy, air-conditioned bus. That being said, there is a downside to not travelling in your own car, which I’ll get on to later in the article!
Where Is the Best Place to Stay in Canberra?
If you’re visiting Canberra, you might feel a little overwhelmed trying to figure out where to stay in Canberra. One thing I noticed straight away is that accommodation here is surprisingly affordable. I spent around half of what I’d normally pay for a weekend trip to Sydney.
For my trip, I budgeted roughly $450 for two people for accommodation from Friday to Sunday — which are usually the most expensive nights to book a hotel.
I stayed at Ovolo Canberra, which is centrally located and just a 15-minute walk from the bus station. I originally booked it after seeing photos of their incredible foyer area online (and honestly, I was sold). It’s a great option if you want to be close to cafes, bars, and the main city attractions.
My second choice was Little National Hotel Canberra, which has impressive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The only downside is that it’s not quite as centrally located as Ovolo, which could make getting around a little trickier without a car.
Canberra isn’t as walkable as I expected, so choosing your accommodation wisely does make a difference. If you’re visiting by car, location matters less. But if you’re arriving by plane or bus, I’d recommend staying north of the bridge, where you’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink around Lonsdale Street.
Here are my top accommodation for all budgets:
- $ – Mantra MacArthur Hotel
- $ – Little National Hotel Canberra
- $$ – Ovolo Canberra
- $$$ Midnight Hotel, Autograph Collection
- $$$ QT Canberra
Top Things to Do in Canberra
When I was planning my trip to Canberra, I was honestly surprised at how many things there were to do in the city, and I felt a little overwhelmed! While it’s no Sydney or Melbourne (and I truly hate comparing cities), Canberra is unique in its own way. If you’re looking for a city break filled with museums, art galleries, and delicious food spots, you should definitely plan a weekend in Canberra.
Visit Parliament House
I don’t know what it is about visiting a country’s capital, but stepping into the Parliament House in Canberra is fascinating. It feels important, educational, and inspiring to learn about how a country has progressed. Best of all, entry to Parliament House is free! I happened to visit on a very hot weekend, and it was the perfect reprieve from the heat.
National Gallery of Australia
Fancy exploring some incredible art from Australian artists? A visit to Canberra isn’t complete without heading to the National Gallery of Australia. This budget-friendly Canberra activity quickly became one of my favourites – even though I’m not usually into art.
Australian War Memorial
Canberra really surprised me with how much history and culture is tucked into the city. Another of my favourite things to do in Canberra is visiting the Australian War Memorial. If you’re looking for free things to do in Canberra, this is definitely one of the best.
I went on a warm Saturday, strolling around the memorial, and felt such a sense of calm and reflection while learning about Australia’s history. Fun fact: the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is guarded 24/7, and ceremonies happen daily.
Spies In the capital: Women in Espionage Walking Tour
Looking to hear inspiring stories while touring the city? The Spies in the Capital walking tour dives into the hidden history of women spies in Canberra. I always ask my Instagram followers for recommendations, and this tour came up several times. I didn’t get to book it on this trip, but it’s top of my list for my next visit to Canberra.
Watch sunset at the Mount Ainslie Lookout
I’m going to say this once — it was a bit of a mission to get to Mount Ainslie Lookout without a car, but wow, the view is worth it. Wherever I travel, I love finding high vantage points to get a full glimpse of a city, and Mount Ainslie does not disappoint. There’s no public transport up there, so I took an Uber, and luckily the driver agreed to wait while I snapped photos. If you can catch it at sunset, it’s absolutely stunning!
Visit Questacon
If you’re travelling with kids (or just want to feel like a big kid yourself), Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre is a must-visit. It’s hands-on, interactive, and full of fun science exhibits that will keep you entertained!
Visit Canberra Pop
Another top honourable mention is visiting Canberra Pop. On any trip to Canberra, you’re more than likely going to stroll up and down Lonsdale Street —a long street lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants that honestly feels like the most lively part of the city.
I saw a TikTok saying that no visit to Canberra is complete without stopping by Canberra Pop, and I totally agree. Canberra Pop is a quirky little shop filled with thoughtful, unique, and Canberra-themed gifts, making it a great spot to pick up a souvenir that actually feels special rather than generic. Even if you’re just browsing, it’s a fun stop and one of those places that really captures the creative side of the city.
Best places to eat in Canberra
Canberra has such an underrated food scene, and I’m fully here for it. Most people’s reaction when you tell them you’re visiting Canberra is, “Oh… but isn’t Canberra boring?” I firmly believe you’re only as bored as the company you keep — and the food scene alone is enough reason to visit.
If you’re planning a weekend in Canberra, here are my favourite places to eat that made the trip even better:
Ovolo Canberra
I do love a good hotel room service moment, and Ovolo Canberra did not disappoint. Whether you’re ordering food to your room or sitting in their beautiful foyer with a drink, it’s the perfect place to wind down after a day of exploring. I loved the Corn Ribs — easily one of my standout dishes of the weekend.
Maple + Clove
I genuinely think Maple + Clove is one of the best lunch spots in Canberra. The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the menu has a great variety of fresh, well-thought-out dishes. As a vegan, I was pleasantly surprised by how many great options they had. It’s a sleek, whole-food-focused café that’s ideal for a relaxed lunch or long brunch catch-up.
Supersweet
Matcha lattes are having a moment, so when I walked past Supersweet, I felt obliged to stop in. It’s the perfect brunch spot for travellers with a sweet tooth. I sat in the vibrant space sipping on a strawberry matcha latte, people-watching and soaking up the buzz — one of those simple travel moments that ends up being a highlight.
Is Canberra Worth it?
Yes, I genuinely think Canberra is worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed weekend city break. There are plenty of things to do in Canberra to keep you busy, from museums and galleries to great food spots and beautiful hotel stays.
As I mentioned earlier, I decided to visit Canberra by bus, which meant I didn’t have to drive and could properly relax — but it was also a little limiting. While areas like Lonsdale Street are very walkable and packed with places to eat, drink, and explore. I feel having access to a car would make it much easier to see spots further afield. I spent around $60 on Uber in just one day, trying to fit everything in.
As a travel blogger, I always try to see as much as possible so I can give you the best recommendations to help plan your own trip. Next time I visit Canberra, I’d definitely consider hiring a car or driving myself. That extra freedom would make it easier to explore even more of what the region has to offer — including some of the incredible hikes Canberra is known for.
Make Your Trip Easier
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