Hello friends, my name is Avnish and I am a traveler. I have visited more than 100 countries about which I often write in my blog. Last year I went to Canberra, the capital of Australia. I had only one day to visit there, so I had already planned which place to visit first, where to stay and where to eat.
Canberra is the capital of Australia and one of the most beautiful cities there. I will tell you how you can best visit Canberra city in one day so let’s start without wasting any time.
First of all, let us know about the city of Canberra and after that we will see from which place we have to start and at which place we have to end. Trust me, you are going to have a lot of fun reading this article, I am going to give you the experience of the entire one day spent in Canberra in this article so that like me, you too can enjoy your Canberra trip without any problem.
About the City
The city of Canberra was established on 12 March 1913, it is the capital of Australia as well as the second largest city in Australia. There are many places to visit here like Australia War Memorial, Black Mountain, National Film and Sound Archives etc. The weather here is very good, it is very cold in the winter season and it is very hot here in the summer season.
Best time to Visit Canberra
If you are planning to visit here then come between September to November, at that time the temperature is between 13-20 degrees. At this time you will see flowers and greenery everywhere.
You can also come between December to February, but at that time, there are a lot of tourists which increases the crowd and the price of everything also increases, so it would be better if you come between September to November.
One Day Itinerary Canberra
Well, you have learned a lot about the city, now let us move ahead and see how to visit Canberra in one day.
As you know we have only one day, so the earlier we start the morning, the better. After landing from the flight, you can easily reach your hotel in 15-20 minutes by car.
There are many hotels near the airport like
- Pullman Canberra: 1.8 km away, 5-minute drive
- Crowne Plaza Canberra: 2.1 km away, 6-minute drive
- Quest Canberra Airport: 2.3 km away, 6-minute drive
- Ibis Styles Canberra: 2.4 km away, 6-minute drive
- Novotel Canberra Airport: 2.5 km away, 7-minute drive
You can book any hotel. If you want to book a hotel, you can book it from booking.com, you will also get a discount from this.
As soon as you reach the hotel, take a bath, freshen up and pack your travel bag with you, you can have breakfast in your hotel also and if you want to have local breakfast, then you can have breakfast in any cafe outside. Smashed avocado, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, Breakfast bowls ,Coffee, Avocado toast,French toast,Oatmeal, Breakfast burrito,Bacon and egg roll, all these are very good in Canberra.
After having breakfast, now you have enough energy in your body to roam around, so let’s go to our first place.
Mount Ainslie
A great way to orientate yourself on a first visit to Canberra is to head up to the summit of Mount Ainslie. It’s just a 15-minute drive from the city centre, and the lookout offers incredible views of the capital and surrounding region.
Australian War Memorial
No visit to Canberra would be complete without seeing the Australian War Memorial. This is undoubtedly one of the finest museums in the world and commemorates those Australians who have served and lost their lives in armed conflicts. The memorial is surrounded by tranquil gardens and smaller monuments, so leave enough time for a wander.
One of the highlights inside is the central commemorative courtyard with its glistening pool of reflection and Roll of Honour halls.Time almost stands still here, and the pace of life in the outside world quickly becomes a distant memory as voices recite the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The surrounding exhibition halls feature emotive presentations on all the conflicts in which the Australian armed forces have served. We can’t do it justice, but prepare to spend more time here than you anticipate.
The memorial is a bricks and mortar focal point for the nation’s pride and a must-see. Entry is free.
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New Parliament House
While New Parliament House attracts most of the attention in Canberra, one of the capital’s best-loved buildings is Old Parliament House, which now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy. We caught up with Museum Experience Officer Jane to find out more about the building and museum.
All right, this building opened on May 9th, 1927. It was always called a provisional parliament, though it was never meant to be the permanent parliament house. It was only meant to be used for about 50 years; however, it was used for 61 years. The architect was a government architect by the name of John Smith Murdoch, and initially, he wasn’t that thrilled about having to design the building because it was a provisional building. There was a much-reduced budget, so he didn’t have a lot of money to work with, and he was also given some impossible tasks, such as build a building that people will respect as the seat of our federal government but don’t make it so people get too sentimental over it in case we need to knock it down. He failed on that one.
Bob Hawke was the last prime minister in this building and the first prime minister in the new building. You might be surprised about Bob Hawke’s office; it’s quite plain, really. His advisors’ offices are very, very tiny. So, we have the House of Representatives and the Senate. Most people know the House of Representatives as the big green room. So, this is where government is formed. The Senate represents the states, but really, each house has equal power, and they’re there as a check and a balance for each other. On two occasions, Queen Elizabeth opened parliament in this building, so there’s an exhibition showing the areas that she would have used prior to going into the chamber to open parliament. There’s also some replicas of the crown jewels. One of our most popular exhibitions is “Behind the Lines,” which is the best of political cartoons from the previous year. We hold this every year; it begins in November with the announcement of the cartoonist of the year. There’s also a small exhibition of the actual ABC studios that were used when this building was parliament. Entry to the Museum of Australian Democracy is free.
Lake Burley Griffin
Now there’s no doubt that Canberra is an amazing city to explore on foot, especially the parliamentary precinct leading down here to beautiful Lake Burley Griffin. But why stride when you can ride? Now, I’ve always wanted to learn to ride a Segway, and combining that dream with a guided tour of the lakeside precinct seemed like too good an opportunity to miss.
So, people arrive, they get fitted up with a helmet, watch a safety demonstration DVD, have an individual lesson in practice, and then head off on their ride. [Music] So, we’ve got a 15-minute ride, half an hour ride, and an hour ride. Generally, in the hour ride, we stay on this side of the lake for half an hour, so it’s about free riding time. We pass many attractions, such as the galleries, the National Library, Old Parliament House, and then we do a full lap of the central basin as well.
Gorgeous Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra’s centerpiece, and life in the city revolves around this glistening waterway. The lake is lined with significant buildings and monuments, and the easiest way to take it all in is on a lake cruise. Lake Burley Griffin Cruises offers a relaxed one-hour cruise with commentary, and it’s well worth doing this early in your stay. You’ll pick up lots of information and tips for more things to see and do around town. Owner and skipper Jim is a fabulous host. He’s full of fun facts and hilarious quips, and you’ll walk away with a better knowledge of the capital’s history and its key cultural sites.
See the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, the National Museum of Australia, Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, and the expansive Commonwealth Park. You’ll pass by the National Carillon with its 57 giant bronze bells; it was a gift from the Brits to celebrate Canberra’s 50th anniversary. The cruise also passes the prestigious National Gallery of Australia. But we’re off to check out a cultural facility dedicated solely to the art of glass.
Canberra Glassworks
Now, things are hotting up on this visit to Canberra as we take you inside the amazing Canberra Glassworks. Take a look at this! Housed inside the capital’s oldest public building, the Kingston Powerhouse, which dates back to 1913, Canberra Glassworks is much more than just a gallery; it’s a working production studio. Most of the action takes place in the aptly named Hot Shop, where visitors can watch resident artists at work on their molten creations in the Dickensian setting. The finishing touches are applied in the slightly more serene Cold Shot, and many of the whimsical finished pieces are available for sale in the gallery’s design store. There are also specialist exhibitions and school holiday workshops on offer; check their website for details.
By now, you may have worked up an appetite, and we promised you some tips for great places to eat in Canberra. The most popular buns in town are on offer at Brodburger, located right behind Canberra Glassworks. Brodburger is a flame-grilled local institution, so get there early to beat the lunch and dinner crowds. For something just a tad more upmarket, try the picturesque Pialligo Estate, located just a short drive east of the city. The menu here draws on estate-grown produce, and while we won’t give too much away so as not to spoil the surprise, this is a superb dining experience and is not to be missed.
Dave’s Tours
Now, those who enjoy a top tipple will be pleased to hear that Canberra has a fabulous winemaking, craft brewing, and distilling scene. we’re joining Dave’s Tours on their Capital Triple Treat Tour. Throughout the course of a single afternoon, we’ll visit a bustling inner-city brewpub to taste their handcrafted wares, get amongst the vines for some cheese and wine, and see what’s cooking in the lab at one of the city’s best boutique gin distilleries.
The tour begins at the Bent Spoke Brewing Company in Braddon. This popular brewpub has a great atmosphere and offers a range of 18 house-brewed beers on tap. Introductions out of the way, our guide Cole begins by providing some insight into the art of brewing before we work our way through the tastings. The refreshing Mort’s Gold Lager and Barley Griffin Pale Ale are popular with the group, while the Salty and Sour Gose is a more acquired taste.
There are 140 vineyards and 30 cellar doors within close proximity to Canberra, but only a couple are located inside the ACT itself. Mount Majura Wines is one of them, and it’s a really pretty spot. The tasting is a treat, as is the matching cheese platter. The red clay soil produces character for whites and distinctive reds, including experimental varieties like Mondeuse.
Big River Distilling Company
Our next stop is the Big River Distilling Company in Fyshwick, which looks fairly nondescript from the outside but clearly has a big heart. Our host Clyde’s enthusiasm for his artisanal spirits, including the signature Canberra Dry Gin, is infectious, and he invites us into the distillery itself to get a better understanding of the production process.
National Zoo and Aquarium
We’ll wrap up this whirlwind tour of the capital over at the National Zoo and Aquarium, a beautifully presented privately-owned wildlife facility that’s home to an array of furry and feathered residents, including some of Africa’s most iconic species. Back in 2014, the zoo opened Jamala Wildlife Lodge, an on-site accommodation experience that wouldn’t look out of place on the Serengeti or Masai Mara. Stay in beautifully themed lodge-style rooms that are integrated into the layout of the zoo itself. And as they say, you can choose your friends but not your neighbors. Accommodation packages include meals and exclusive guided tours.
So this was it in our One Day Canberra Itinerary, I hope you enjoyed this article and if you need any help then you can ask me in comments below.