Your ultimate guide to Canberra

Ironically, despite its rugged surroundings, Canberra’s CBD itself is a very flat, walkable city. While this results in some highly scenic strolls around the famous Lake Burley Griffin, it means that only a short drive will take you to some fantastic locations for a more robust hike. There are hills and perches aplenty so that all your walking results in the reward of gazing out across our nation’s capital. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has tried and tested almost all of these trails, with her favourites including Black Mountain, Mount Painter and Gibraltar Peak. Lace up and hit the trail on one of the best hikes in Canberra.  🌳 The best things to do in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries🚗 The best day trips from Canberra

There’s no shortage of attractions in Canberra. From young families to mature art lovers, the opportunity for entertainment is endless. What’s not amusing is doing the maths and adding up how much all your entry tickets cost. Luckily for you, we’ve rounded up some of the most fun and free things to do in Canberra – and the best part? We bet you haven’t heard of some of these activities before. How’s that for holiday bragging rights?  Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, loves catching up with friends on a lap of Lake Burley Griffin or having a picnic atop Dairy Farmers Hill. But she reckons a free tour of Parliament House is surprisingly underrated and actually fascinating. Here are the best free things to do in Canberra. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥾 All the best hikes to conquer in the capital🖼️ Canberra's best museums and galleries

Good news for those with kids in tow, Canberra is jam-packed with family-friendly activities and wonders to explore. From mind-blowing science museums to immersive play spaces and mysterious garden trails, here's our pick of the best. ☀️ More of the best things to do in Canberra🥐 The greatest bakeries in Canberra🌳 Top parks in Canberra for a picnic

Between parliamentary happenings and museum hopping, it’s easy to get carried away in Australia’s capital. Throw in a bushwalk in the city’s mountainous surrounds or a bike ride around Lake Burley Griffin, and you’ll certainly need some good R&R to unwind.  Relaxation comes in all shapes and sizes, from internationally-inspired massage techniques to facials with botanical skincare that may as well be liquid gold. Whether it’s getting exfoliated from scalp to toe or wrapping up in the fluffiest of robes, you’re sure to find a moment of serene solitude at one of the best day spas in Canberra. ✨The best things to do in Canberra🥾 All the best walks in the capital⭐️ The best day spas in Australia

When you need a break from all your parliamentary proceedings and art gallery musings, you won’t need to travel far for some lush landscape. Plots of land along Lake Burley Griffin make for great kayaking, while fields of beautifully manicured lawns are perfect for a peaceful picnic (or an encounter with some native Australian wildlife). And then if you’ve had enough relaxing, you can hit up one of the nearby trails for some adventurous hiking. Here's our pick of the best parks in Canberra. 🌳 The best things to do in Canberra🥾 Canberra's best hikes🚗 The best day trips from Canberra

Canberra’s café scene has levelled up big time in recent years. From north to south, you’ll find plenty of places to grab your morning cup of joe with a side of avo toast, eggs benny or pancakes with all the fixings. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill cafés either. They’re brewing some of the nation’s best coffee while showcasing local producers and suppliers from the ACT region. You could easily kick off the day with a kimchi jaffle from the sleek Southside café, Intra. Or maybe a cinnabon from Scullin's beloved vegan eatery, Sweet Bones, is more your vibe. If you’re after something nourishing, a Japanese salad bowl from wholefoods café, Eighty/Twenty, will also do the trick. And that’s not even scratching the surface of what’s up north. Luckily for you, our Time Out Australia Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital for four years and has handpicked the best cafés in Canberra for this list. Where are you headed first? For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍽️ The best restaurants in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries☕️ The best coffee in Canberra

Given Canberra is a city full of politicians and public servants, it checks out that the city is full of classy, fine-dining restaurants. But it’s also a student hub, full of ballers on a budget who want to stretch their dollars when eating out. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley spent four years attending university in the capital, so she’s got the inside scoop on where to go for the best cheap eats in Canberra. Like many locals, she loves going to the popular CBD Dumpling House for big group dinners, where 14 steaming dumplings cost just $14. But if you’re looking for the ultimate budget-friendly option, The Canberra Food Co-op’s $12.50 weekday lunches are hard to beat. Check out more of Canberra’s best cheap eats below. ✨ Your guide to Canberra's best restaurants🥐 The best bakeries in Canberra☕️ Canberra's top cafés

Melbourne and Sydney might hog the spotlight when it comes to Australia’s best baristas, but Canberra quietly brews up some of the finest cups in the country. Ona dominates the capital's coffee scene – that's right, their beans are proudly roasted right here in Canberra – while local favourites like Redbrick, Two Before Ten and Barrio serve up their own top-tier takes on liquid gold. Whether it’s your cuppa on the morning commute, a long brunch or a late-night craving, Time Out’s local writers along with our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley (who has spent a good hunk of time exploring the bean scene, mind you), have rounded up all the best coffee shops in Canberra. Get sipping! For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. ☕️ The best cafés in Canberra🥐 Where to find Canberra's best bakeries🍹 Canberra's best bars

Nothing beats the irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread. Canberra is home to an impressive array of bakeries that rise to the occasion early each morning. From crusty baguettes and pillowy brioche buns to hot-from-the-oven pies and custard-oozing danishes, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to carb-loving baked goodies. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, spent four years scouring the capital for the tastiest baked goods. Do yourself a favour and start eating your way through her list of the best bakeries in Canberra. You won't regret it.   Editor's favourite bakeries in Canberra 🇫🇷 Best French bakery: L'épi Artisan Bakery 🥯 Best cardamom buns: Under Bakery 🥐 Best croissants: Three Mills For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines.  🍽️ The best cafés in Canberra☕️ Canberra's best coffee shops🥐 Australia's best bakeries

Canberra is probably the only city in Australia where you can have a pint with a politician. You might even bond over golden schnitties, sing along to live tunes or rally behind the Raiders together.  While the Berra might not be overflowing with corner pubs like its coastal cousins, it compensates with some cracking watering holes that stretch from the inner city to the waterfront. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, lived in the capital home for four years, so you can bet she knows where to find a good pint. In this round-up of Canberra’s best pubs, you’ll find beer gardens galore (including one in a venue older than the city itself), live gigs and dance floors on Lonsdale Street, and perfectly cooked steaks at a Kingston favourite beloved by locals. 🍹 All the best bars in Canberra🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🍺 The best pubs in Australia

Nothing beats sinking your teeth into a good old-fashioned burger – whether it’s a classic cheeseburger with tangy pickles, a caramelised smash burger hot off the grill, or a true-blue Aussie piled with beetroot. Or maybe you’re team crispy fried chicken or halloumi? Whatever your protein, make sure your burg has a pillowy soft bun– and some fries, of course. When we asked food writer Isabel Cant to take on the delicious task of finding the best burgers in Canberra, she was only too happy to comply (all in the name of research, of course!). And luckily for her – and us – Canberra has more than its fair share of top-notch burger joints. So, dive into this list when those cheat-day cravings strike.   Editor's favourite burgers in Canberra 💰 Best cheap ’n’ cheerful burger: Mafia Buns 🍔 Best smash burgers: Pattysmiths 🧀 Best cheeseburger: Brodburger For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Canberra🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🥐 Canberra's best bakeries

Politics aside, Canberra’s food scene is thriving, with innovative chefs and world-class produce putting the capital firmly on Australia’s culinary map. Case in point? It's steak restaurants. In close proximity to Australia’s premier cattle regions, Canberra enjoys unrivalled access to premium, locally raised beef – perfectly marbled, ethically produced and bursting with flavour. At the Meat & Wine Co, expect succulent steaks served in a stylish CBD setting. Just across town, Capitol Bar and Grill (inside the QT Hotel) fires up a wood-grilled selection of premium cuts. And for lovers of Japanese-style steak, Raku brings Wagyu to the robata grill. Our food writers have shortlisted the best steaks in Canberra for your protein fix (and a glass of red).  For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍔 Canberra's best burgers🍱 The best Japanese joints in Canberra🥘 The best Indian food in Canberra

Canberra’s Italian dining scene is thriving. Whether you're craving some simple yet sublime antipasti, woodfired pizzas with a char-ry base or secondi that leave you fully satisfied, the capital's top Italian restaurants deliver authenticity, ambience and exceptional flavour. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley and freelance food writer Isabel Cant here teamed up to bring you this list of the best Italian restaurants in Canberra. Want a lakeside setting for your pasta? Try La Rustica. Want to savour a long lunch that’s loud and lively? Go to Pronto, pronto! After some sun-kissed Mediterranean vibes and vino? Olive at Hawker is our recco. Yes, Canberra’s best Italian restaurants have something for every palate. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Canberra🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🍣 The best Japanese in Canberra

Ahh, pizza. It’s arguably the most versatile meal in the world, catering to almost every palate and diet. Whether you prefer a red base piled high with meat and seafood, or a white base crowned with four types of cheese, the best pizza in Canberra will curb your cravings. Every Canberran has their favourite local pizza joint, and creating a list of Canberra's best pizza is sure to spark some serious debates. Our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, loves grabbing takeaway from Mama Dough, but her fellow pizza-loving friends reckon Pizza Artigiana and Pizza Arte serve up the best slices in town. Ready to settle the score for yourself? Start working your way through our list of the best pizza places in Canberra right now. 🍕 The best pizza in Australia🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🍝 The best Italian in Canberra

From piping hot bowls of ramen to artistic plates of sashimi, Canberra is brimming with Japanese restaurants that prove there’s so much more to the cuisine than your standard sushi roll. Across our capital, you’ll find chefs putting their own stamp on traditional dishes, blending precision, artistry and a love of seasonal produce. Some spots like Yakitori 38 are perfect for a late-night hang with friends, sake in hand, others like Koto Dining invite you to linger over multiple courses, while suburban gems like Raijin dish up comfort food along with awesome customer service. Our Travel Editor Melissa Woodley has teamed up with ex-MasterChef contestant and food writer Mimi Wong to recommend the best Japanese restaurants in Canberra for your next feed. For more about how we curate our reviews and guides, see our editorial guidelines. 🍕 The best pizza in Canberra🍽 Canberra's best restaurants🥘 The best Indian in Canberra

Almost exactly halfway between Victoria and New South Wales, Canberra is perfectly placed for excellent day trips that show off the very best of this corner of Australia. Whether you're sipping at bucolic vineyards in the Murrumbateman Wine Region, exploring sleepy seaside towns along the South Coast or chasing thrills in the Snowy Mountains, there's something for everyone just a short drive from Canberra's CBD. Our Travel & News Editor Melissa Woodley has road-tested almost all of these thrilling day trips from Canberra. Her top picks include the charming Southern Highlands (don't miss Baked in Berrima), the epic Gibraltar Peak hike in Namadgi National Park and the coastal vibes of Bateman’s Bay. So pack the car, grab your snacks and bring your sense of adventure. 🌳 The best things to do in Canberra🥐 Canberra's best bakeries🚗 The best hikes in Canberra

What better way to curb seasonal nostalgia than with a mere three-hour inland drive to the mountain-enclosed city of Canberra? Most Sydneysiders simply recall that one excursion to Parliament House from too long ago. But for returning visitors and Canberrans alike, it’s the promise of rich cultural institutions, tranquil city mornings with vibrant pockets of cushy cafés, dinners sipping cool-climate wines and its neighbouring nature exhibitions that is the city’s charm. These are the most tranquil Airbnbs in Canberra. RECOMMENDED: These are the best things to do in Canberra right now.

Whether you’re passing through Canberra to get to the snow, or sticking around to soak up the culture, Australia's capital is somewhat of a road trip hot spot. Luckily, these caravan parks are perfect for motorhoming residents, and cabin seekers alike. With state-of-the-art camp kitchens, pools, epic playgrounds and sports galore, you’ll have a tough time choosing where to rest your head for the night. Here are the best caravan parks in Canberra. ✨ The best hotels in Canberra⛺️ Australia's greatest caravan parks🔥 The cosiest Airbnbs in Canberra

Long weekends and Canberra go hand-in-hand. Our nation’s capital is packed with pocket-sized adventures for culture vultures, foodies, nature lovers and history buffs.  From big names like Parliament House and the National Museum of Australia to hidden gems like the Arboretum and Little Burley Market, you’ll have no problem filling your three-day weekend with incredible and inspiring activities. Just follow our guide to the ultimate long weekend in Canberra. Only have two days? Here's how to spend the perfect weekend in Canberra.