Canberra - a museum mecca and outdoor paradise
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Wonderguide by

Brendan

Canberra - a museum mecca and outdoor paradise

Canberra may lack the international landmarks of Sydney and the cultural cool of Melbourne but through its museums and surrounding bushland you can experience the soul of Australia.

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Exploring Australia's history and soul - the must-see museums

Visiting Canberra's top museums provides an insight into our great country

Image - Australian War Memorial
Place
Australian War Memorial
Brendan:The favourite museum of Australians. See why wars on the other side of the world and Asia have made us who we are today.
Image - National Museum of Australia
Place
National Museum of Australia
Brendan:This innovative museum tells the story of Australia in innovative ways. Who knew a museum could be such fun? And what about the building design and location!
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Image - Old Parliament House
Place
Old Parliament House
Brendan:The Museum of Australian Democracy at old parliament house is fun place to take the family to walk the corridors of power while learning about the formative years of Australian politics. Also a secretly chill place to have a coffee and hang out.
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Image - National Gallery of Australia
Place
National Gallery of Australia
Brendan:If you only go for the Aboriginal gallery it is enough but stop by Jackson Pollock's 'Blue Poles' and wonder at the meaning of art.
Image - Anzac Parade
Place
Anzac Parade
Brendan:Walk from Old Parliament House up to the War Memorial and wander at the sacrifice of Australians in war.
Image - Questacon
Place
Questacon
Brendan:The kids will have fun learning about science
Image - AIS Visitor Centre
Place
AIS Visitor Centre
Brendan:Australians take sport seriously. Take a tour at the Australian Institute of Sport and see how technology and training gives our top athletes the edge.
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Image - National Capital Exhibition
Place
National Capital Exhibition
Brendan:Learn how the city came to be
Image - Blundells Cottage
Place
Blundells Cottage
Brendan:See one of the original homesteads from when Canberra was full of sheep not museums
Image - CSIRO - Tidbinbilla - Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Place
CSIRO - Tidbinbilla - Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Brendan:If you go to Tidbinbilla Nature reserve also check this out. It is the largest antenna complex in the Southern Hemisphere and has a small but interesting space museum including a moonrock.
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The Great Outdoors

Connect with the Australian bush or saunter by the lake

Image - Mount Ainslie Lookout
Place
Mount Ainslie Lookout
Brendan:Walk or run up Mount Ainslie for some exercise and to get the postcard view of the Australian bush capital.
Image - Lake Burley Griffin
Place
Lake Burley Griffin
Brendan:Need to exercise or just want to see the best of Canberra's architecture or postcard views then run or cycle around Lake Burley Griffin.
Image - The Paddle Hub (Open October-April)
Place
The Paddle Hub (Open October-April)
Brendan:The best way to enjoy Lake Burley Griffin and surrounding mountain views is from the water. Paddle Hub is a paddle board and kayak hire service.
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Image - Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Place
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Brendan:My favourite National Park around Canberra.
Image - Australian National Botanic Gardens
Place
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Image - Dawn Drifters Canberra Balloon Flights
Place
Dawn Drifters Canberra Balloon Flights
Brendan:Drift over the lake and downtown for the best way to see Canberra
Image - Stromlo Forest Park
Place
Stromlo Forest Park
Brendan:A great place for a run or mountain bike. Start at the bottom and head up to the Stromlo Observatory.
Image - Namadgi National Park
Place
Namadgi National Park
Brendan:Beautiful Australian bushland so close by
Image - Floriade
Place
Floriade
Brendan:In September and October, the Canberra foreshore is transformed for an annual tulip festival. Beautiful colours, food, and people.

Favourite Places to eat, drink, and have fun

When your day of activity ends, you need to sit down and enjoy a nice meal or coffee

Image - Cafe Essen
Place
Cafe Essen
Brendan:My favourite local coffee shop for tea, coffee, or a smoothie. In the city centre.
Image - Chairman & Yip
Place
Chairman & Yip
Brendan:Australian-Asian fusion at its best
Image - Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel
Place
Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel
Brendan:Treat yourself to the Hyatt's high tea. A great way to spend the afternoon.
Image - Saffron Restaurant
Place
Saffron Restaurant
Image - Chifley's Bar and Grill
Place
Chifley's Bar and Grill
Brendan:Nice place for lunch at the Hotel where famous war time PM Ben Chifley used to live.
Image - The Phoenix Pub
Place
The Phoenix Pub
Brendan:Small pub in the city with character and characters.
Image - Ainslie Football & Social Club
Place
Ainslie Football & Social Club
Brendan:Try a typical Australian meal from a typical Australian club. If a bowling club or RSL means nothing to you then you must go to one on your trip to Australia to see where Australian go to eat when they don't want to go to fancy restaurant.
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Image - Olims Bistro
Place
Olims Bistro
Brendan:Good cheap pub food
Image - King O'Malley's
Place
King O'Malley's
Brendan:Requisite Australian-Irish bar
Image - Goodberry's
Place
Goodberry's
Brendan:Local place for frozen custards and icecreams. Try the 'concrete' frozen custard mixed with your choice of toppings.
Image - Travelade Image
Place
ALL Bar Nun
Brendan:Great local watering hole
Image - Kingston Hotel
Place
Kingston Hotel
Brendan:One of Canberra's original pubs.

Wonderguide map

  1. Australian War Memorial
  2. National Museum of Australia
  3. Old Parliament House
  4. National Gallery of Australia
  5. Anzac Parade
  6. Questacon
  7. AIS Visitor Centre
  8. National Capital Exhibition
  9. Blundells Cottage
  10. CSIRO - Tidbinbilla - Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex
  11. Mount Ainslie Lookout
  12. Lake Burley Griffin
  13. The Paddle Hub (Open October-April)
  14. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
  15. Australian National Botanic Gardens
  16. Dawn Drifters Canberra Balloon Flights
  17. Stromlo Forest Park
  18. Namadgi National Park
  19. Floriade
  20. Cafe Essen
  21. Chairman & Yip
  22. Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel
  23. Saffron Restaurant
  24. Chifley's Bar and Grill
  25. The Phoenix Pub
  26. Ainslie Football & Social Club
  27. Olims Bistro
  28. King O'Malley's
  29. Goodberry's
  30. ALL Bar Nun
  31. Kingston Hotel

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