Canberra with Kids: A handy holiday guide
Canberra & the ACT
Explore Canberra with your family
Canberra, the nation’s capital, is considered one of the most liveable – and family-friendly – cities in Australia. Surprised?
The nation’s capital is filled with great things for families to do. From the science and technology museum Questacon to the National Zoo & Aquarium, the National Arboretum and the Australian War Memorial, you can easily fill a week (or more!) here.
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Canberra highlights for families
Your Canberra family holiday guide
If you remember visiting Canberra as a student on the obligatory excursion to Parliament House, it’s hard to see what all the fuss is about. But today’s capital city paints a very different picture. With festivals, museums, zoos, nature parks, gardens and outdoor playgrounds, Canberra holidays have never been so much fun for kids.
Canberra seasonal highlights
Spring
Visit for the annual Floriade festival, Australia’s biggest and brightest celebration of spring. Commonwealth Park is filled with over a million colourful blooms and there’s an incredible family entertainment program.
Summer
Cool off at Big Splash, Canberra’s only water park. It’s open from November to March each year.
Autumn
Celebrate the city’s birthday at the Enlighten Festival. Running from early March, it includes five events like the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, Enlighten Illuminations and Commonwealth Day.
Winter
Kids can make snowmen, hurtle down the slope on a sled or just walk over snow for the first time at Corin Forest Mountain Resort, a purpose-built snow play park 45 minutes from Canberra.
Animal encounters in the ACT
Canberra is home to some of Australia’s best interactive animal adventures. Nature-loving families will have a blast at the ever-expanding National Zoo & Aquarium. Just five minutes from the centre of Canberra, you can encounter a wide variety of native and exotic animals, then hop to the aquarium exhibits to see the biggest inland saltwater tank in Australia.
Spot wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, emus and perhaps even an elusive platypus at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just 45 minutes’ drive from the Canberra CBD. Kids who love petting zoos will delight in meeting the free-roaming farm animals at Yarralumla Play Station, which include alpacas, ponies, sheep, pigs and goats.
More animal encounters include Gold Creek Village‘s Reptile Zoo and Walk-In Aviary, where you can meet and feed almost 60 species of birds.
Amusement parks and gardens
Cockington Green Gardens will delight little ones and fascinate the rest of the family with its miniature world of quaint villages, railways, castles and gardens meticulously created and planned out in truly magical mini lands!
Enjoy a leisurely ride pulled by the train Bluebell, hit a hole in one on the Lake Walter golf courses, then say “hello” to miniature pigs, alpacas, dwarf goats and a Galloway cow at the Yarralumla Play Station.
Canberra's best playgrounds
Tidinbilla’s Nature Discovery Playground takes inspiration from the natural beauty and form of the Tidbinbilla Valley with a flying fox, slide and climbing rope frame. There’s a water pump, bouncy toys and other activities for younger kids.
The National Abroretum is not just trees – the playground here is seriously amazing! The POD Playground features acorn cubbies where kids can climb through tunnels, up ropes and into the treehouse. Younger children will love the climbing nets and music-making activities.
Museums and play-based learning
At the Museum of Australian Democracy, kids can explore the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC) in a fun and playful way via PlayUP. The kid-friendy exhibition includes listening pods, role-playing activities and hands-on crafts.
Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, can’t be missed. 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.
Hear the last post, discover Australia’s war history and learn about the sacrifice of those who went to war at The Australian War Memorial. While the subject matter may be sombre, kids will learn so much!
Where to eat in Canberra with kids
Urban Pantry – Manuka
Look out over the Manuka Lawns while the sun shines and the kids scamper about at Urban Pantry, a modern cafe with a relaxed vibe. The lunch menu includes amazing choices, like blueberry hotcakes and Brindabella bacon BLTs, to entice even the pickiest eaters.
Snapper & Co – Yarralumla
Take a short drive to lakeside Snapper & Co for a sunset dinner of fresh fish and chips with water views. The Whipper Snapper kids’ meals are always a hit! It’s located at the Southern Cross Yacht Club, which also has a fine dining restaurant.
Brodburger – Multiple Locations
End the day with a meal at Canberra’s local favourite, Brodburger. From its humble beginnings as a food van to a now-bustling chain of eateries with indoor and outdoor dining, Brodburger serves up delicious flame-grilled gourmet burgers. You can find outlets in Kingston, Fyshwick, Phillip and Tuggeranong.
Family accommodation in Canberra
Discover the ACT’s best family hotels in our Canberra accommodation guide.
Table of Contents
Opening image: Questacon is a great place for kids to learn about science