Top Family Attractions in Canberra

If you’re visiting Canberra on a family holiday, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of family-friendly attractions easily accessible in your Dollar rental car. Pick up your Dollar vehicle from one of our Sydney branches and make your way to the capital city for an adventure full of bonding moments and family fun.

Educational and Cultural Attractions

As the country’s capital, Canberra is home to many landmarks that showcase Australia’s history, culture, and politics. Visits to the Parliament House are available, with guided tours of the nation’s meeting place on offer, and the Australian War Memorial is an engaging place for the whole family to learn about the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Galleries here span the history of the First and Second World Wars, exhibiting artefacts, artworks and technology from these important eras in time. The Hall of Valour honours recipients of the Victoria Cross and George Cross, and book in to see the daily Last Post Ceremony that takes place at 4:30 pm and commemorates an Australian named on the Roll of Honour. Plus, visitors can take a seat at Poppy’s Cafe for breakfast or lunch while visiting the memorial grounds. Just eight minutes south of the War Memorial, cross the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in your Dollar rental car to reach the National Gallery of Australia. Here, the collection of over 155,000 works of art spans over four floors, and there are a range of children’s programs on offer including a Sculpture Garden trail, interactive projects and arts and crafts activities.

Wildlife

Looking for an adventurous experience during your stay in Canberra? Take a walk on the wild side at the National Zoo and Aquarium, just 10 minutes from the city centre. With native and exotic animals here, children and adults will enjoy discovering creatures from all parts of the animal kingdom. Stop by the daily Keeper talks and presentations to see animals in action and feeding shows, and if you really want to get up close and personal consider booking a close encounter experience. From cheetahs to rhinos, you’ll be able to pat, feed and take photos with captivating creatures during a close encounter. The National Zoo has you sorted for food, no matter the size of your family, with a cafe, bistro, and food truck on site, as well as weekend BBQs and picnic areas if you’d like to bring your own food. There’s a playground here for the little ones, plus the ‘Keeper for a Day’ experience lets primary and high school-aged children take a look behind the scenes, while the Puggle Club focuses on activities for preschool-aged children and parents to enjoy.

Interactive and Family-Friendly

Perhaps the state’s most interactive and hands-on science experience, Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre, offers fun for the whole family. With live science demonstrations and seven galleries to explore, including Mini Q for under six-year-olds and an Outdoor Science Garden, Questacon is one of Canberra’s most popular family attractions. Visit the Awesome Earth exhibition for all things Earth and Space sciences, The Shed for Arts and Design activities, and the Fundamental gallery to learn about Physics and classic Science. The Atomic Cafe is open daily with nibbles catering to children and adults and the Questacon Shop offers kits, books and toys so you can bring science experiments home. On the opposite side of the city, Cockington Green Gardens showcases a myriad of miniature displays, villages, and buildings for a truly unique outing. Adults and children will both marvel in awe at the tiny displays replicating Australian and International towns including Caminito Street in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cockington Village, United Kingdom and the Central Deborah Gold Mine, Bendigo, Victoria. Explore the displays, admire the blooms in the colourful gardens and ride the Miniature Steam Train here for an exciting day filled with wonder and joy.

Outdoor and Recreational

A holiday in Australia provides the perfect opportunity and setting to explore the great outdoors, and Canberra boasts many attractions and sites where the whole family can enjoy the sunshine and unique natural attractions. Canberra is centred around Lake Burley Griffin, giving you dazzling views throughout the city, and there are many ways you and your family can enjoy the lake. Head out on a self-guided adventure across the Lake on an electric picnic boat with GoBoat. Bring along some lunch to enjoy while onboard and let the children enjoy the sights and sounds of Canberra uniquely. You don’t need a licence to operate the boats, so anyone can be the captain as you sail past the capital’s most iconic sites including the National Museum, National Library and Australian-American Memorial. If you’re a fan of family walks, explore the lake on foot with the 5km Bridge to Bridge walk. This loop takes you from the Commonwealth Bridge to the Kings Avenue Bridge, embracing stunning scenery along the way. Settle in at the child-friendly Station Stop Cafe after your boat ride or hike around the Lake to enjoy breakfast or lunch in an environment catered towards families.

After a family holiday in and around Canberra, you’ll have plenty of fun memories to look back on and an album full of scenic shots and wholesome moments.