Every Australian and visitor should visit Canberra, our nation’s capital, at some stage just to appreciate where the political power in the country resides.
Even if politics is not your thing it’s a family-friendly destination, as it’s easy to get around with a car and there are plenty of places to play and visit for a long weekend or a week.
Here are my Top places to go in Canberra with kids.
For great family-friendly accommodation in Canberra I recommend searching for what’s suitable on Airbnb.
Things to do in Canberra with kids
1. Parliament House
Admittedly not the most exciting destination with little kids but if you have older children then learning all about how parliament works is a must-do. Welcome tours are free while some more in-depth or specialist tours eg., to the private gardens are paid.
I recommend looking for fossils in the marble staircases! There are a few to be spotted.
Parliamentary sitting days: 9.00am – 6.00pm. The Public Galleries in the Chambers are open whenever the Houses are in session.
Non-sitting days: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Entry is free, but bookings to visit Parliament House are required.
2. Questacon
Among the many Canberra museums is Australia’s best science museum Questacon – a place to inspire curious minds. Experience hands-on fun and learning with experiments, demonstrations and displays. Read my review
Questacon, King Edward Tce, Parkes
3. Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
Heritage building with a fantastic indoor children’s play and learning area ‘Play Up’ which explores the UN’s Universal Rights of Children. FULL REVIEW
Book prior to visiting MOAD at Old Parliament House
4. Pod Playground at National Arboretum
The National Arboretum is home to a collection of rare and endangered trees but for families the main attraction is the unique Pod playground, one of Australia’s best playgrounds. FULL REVIEW.
Find Hotels and Airbnbs in Canberra, Australia
5. Boundless Canberra
Canberra’s first fully accessible playground is fenced, large and centrally located near the banks of the lake at King’s Park. It’s also considered one of Australia’s best playgrounds. FULL REVIEW.
6. National Zoo and Aquarium
Canberra’s National Zoo and Aquarium is the only one of its kind in Australia, where you get two attractions in one place!
This place is huge, set on 25 hectares of land and only 5 mins from the CBD. With so much to see and do, a whole day may not be enough.
There are a number of cafes and eateries located on site, but to keep costs down ensure you take a picnic rug and food, and enjoy the large picnic areas for the kids to run around, as well as free BBQ facilities available.
Amongst the animals and aquatic life, one of the big attractions here is the AdventureLand Playground with activites for all aged kids to enjoy.
For something a little extra, there are many Close Encounter tours offered, including Junior Keeper for a Day. There are also various seasonal events, such as the Wild Snow Package if you are heading to Canberra in winter.
National Zoo & Aquarium, Lady Denman Drive Canberra
Open 7 days a week 9.30am-5pm year-round, closed Christmas Day.
7. National Dinosaur Museum
If you have a dino-loving kid then this place is a must-do on your Canberra itinerary. The National Dinosaur Museum houses life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, and animatronic dinosaurs, guiding you through millions of years of earth’s ancient past.
Throughout the year they run special events including Dinosaurs at Night Tours, Junior Paleo Tours, Quiet Hour and more.
General admission is $20 for adults, $12 for children 4-12 years, and kids under 3 go free.
National Dinosaur Museum, 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls
8. Cockington Green Gardens
Explore the world in miniature at the Cockington Green Gardens. Started over 40 years ago this gorgeous display of carefully crafted miniature buildings amongst the stunning landscaped gardens is a delight for young and old.
The kids will especially love the miniature steam train ride as they weave around the international display area, and they can burn their energy on the playground.
Pack a picnic lunch, or grab a coffee and a light snack at the Rose Room Cafe.
Cockington Green Gardens, 11 Gold Street, Nicholls
9. Yarralumla Play Station
Yarralumla Play Station is a kids’ paradise! Home to the Weston Park Miniature Railway, Lake Walter Mini Golf, the YPS Lolly Shoppe and Mini Farm Friends, there is so much to do and see.
Operating in Canberra since 1973, Yarralumla Play Station has recently undergone major transformations with updates to the Station Stop Café, new attractions added and four historic NSW train carriages from 1910 have been traditionally restored into three function rooms.
The Mini Farm Friends will really excite the kiddies where they can get up close to the ponies, sheep, miniature pigs as well as a miniature Galloway cow, plus many more animals and birds.
Yarralumla Play Station, 9 Pescott Ln, Yarralumla
Open Monday to Friday 9:30am–4pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:30am–5:30pm
10. Royal Australian Mint
The Royal Australian Mint is an award-winning national cultural attraction and heritage site, and best of all it’s among the many free things to do in Canberra during your stay.
Kids will have a great time exploring and watching the coin-making robots in action, and there is a dedicated children’s area in the gallery space with plenty of fun activities.
Royal Australian Mint, Denison Street, Deakin
Open Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm and Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 10am-4pm
The Mint is closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.
11. Australian War Memorial
A visit to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is a rewarding learning experience for kids, as well as an opportunity to acknowledge our past and honour our fallen soldiers.
Tour the galleries to see life-like dioramas and models of battle scenes, explore the sculpture garden, or visit the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent, Campbell
10am-5pm daily (except Christmas Day)
12. Lake Burley Griffin
Explore Canberra’s centrepiece Lake Burley Griffin where you’ll find plenty of walking tracks and cycling paths – perfect for the whole family.
Check out the many water activities including stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and boating as well as lake cruises and ferry services. Or set up in one of the beautiful areas for a picnic and a swim (weather permitting!) at the best parks in Canberra.
Around the lake there are also cafés and restaurants where you can relax and take in the view.
13. Explore Canberra by bike
Canberra is a fantastic city for cycling, with bike paths everywhere. There are many options to get you around on two wheels such as the Share a Bike stations, Air Bikes, bikes with child trailers and even bike tours you can check out here.
A number of family-friendly hotels around Canberra also offer bikes for guest use, so you can take off right from your doorstep!
Whether heading out for a picnic at Manuka, a ride around Lake Burley Griffin, or a trip to Kingston for some shopping – enjoy the city from a different perspective.
Where to eat in Canberra with kids
14. Mocan and Green Grout
Mocan and Green Grout is not THE most kid-friendly cafe in Canberra but it is suitable for older children who don’t need masses of space or a specific play area.
The plant-filled cafe is small on the inside but oh so pretty (love the brass tables) and when the weather’s warm there’s more space outside for active kids. The food is on point, with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients and they serve some of the best coffee Canberra has on offer.
15. The Cupping Room
Modern cafe serving mostly nearby ANU students and staff. If you have kids it’s better to hang out outside as the inside seating is rather tight and definitely difficult with a pram.
The kid’s menu is small but there’s plenty on the standard menu to offer, including one of the best burgers in Canberra.
Oh and the milkshakes are huge! I ordered a standard red velvet milkshake split into two cups ($8) and look what came out for each child!
The Cupping Room 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra
Mon-Fri 7:30AM–3PM
Sat-Sun and public holidays 8am-3pm
16. Cafe Gather
Braddon is a hub of activity with cafes and restaurants, including Gather. It’s a hip cafe frequented by locals, staff from local businesses and public servants, and members of one of the nearby gyms.
Gather has an interesting menu of seasonal and tasty food, as well as Kombucha on tap and I believe the coffee is also top quality, with beans from a local roaster.
There is limited seating inside, and more tables in front of the cafe and in the laneway at the side.
Cafe Gather, 4/24 Mort St, Braddon
17. Local Press
Out of all the places to eat Canberra offered on our stay, this cafe was my favourite experience. Local Press is a wholefoods cafe with a healthy and inventive menu. The green smoothie, waffles and black rice are all recommended for the best brunch Canberra has to offer.
The setting is just gorgeous too, with vintage and nautical inspired decor and water views from the Kingston foreshore boardwalk. If you sit outside there are rugs too. Pram access, high chairs and a disabled toilet at the back.
Local Press, On the water, Cnr Eastlake Parade & Giles Street, Kingston Foreshore, ACT 2604 , +61 2 6162 1422
Mon-Fri 8AM–3PM
Sat-sun 8am-4pm
18. Portia’s Place
This Cantonese restaurant is a Canberra institution and a bit of a pollie hangout at night. But go early when they open at 5pm and you’ll have the place to yourself. Try their signature Peking duck wraps and other popular dishes such as the scallops with ginger and shallots and stuffed eggplant.
The staff seem to enjoy having kids in their restaurant and Lady AB and Baby 2.0 loved the fortune cookies and even Freddo Frogs at the end!
Portia’s Place 11 Kennedy St, Kingston +61 2 6239 7970
Daily 11:30AM–2:30PM, 5–10PM
19. Joe’s Bar
A moody, cool hangout in the East Hotel Griffiths. It’s got a sophisticated wine bar sort of vibe so it’s not suitable if your kids still need high chairs and plastic cutlery. Otherwise go early when the adults are at work and take the kids to enjoy brilliant antipasto boards and hand made pasta.
Joe’s Bar 69 Canberra Ave, Griffith ACT +61 2 6178 0050
Daily 12 noon til late
20. Old Bus Depot Markets
A Canberra institution held each Sunday, the Old Bus Depot Markets host sellers of unique handcrafted wares, as well as food market stalls and food vendors.
There is plenty of space outside the markets to sit down with a plate of food while kids run around.
Regular themed Sundays see different specialty vendors at the markets, like Multicultural Sunday, Collectible Sunday and Designer Sunday.
Old Bus Depot Markets, 21 Wentworth Ave, Kingston
Where to stay in Canberra with kids
For great family-friendly accommodation in Canberra I recommend searching for what’s suitable on Airbnb.
21. Airbnb Canberra
We book a family home in the central suburb of Reid through Airbnb. The cosy heritage cottage is in a prime location across the road from Glebe Park and Canberra Centre shopping centre.
It contains 4 bedrooms (one bedroom comes off the master bedroom), two bathrooms, kitchen and laundry, a large backyard with swing set and a small basket of toys.
