Canberra

A cultural hub surrounded by nature

Canberra serves as Australia’s political heart and a planned city built in the early 1900s. It houses Parliament House, national museums and diplomatic buildings reflecting its role in government. The city features lakeside parks like Lake Burley Griffin where locals walk or cycle around the water. Cultural spaces such as the National Gallery showcase Australian art alongside international works. Canberra’s layout includes wide streets, green fields and public squares that create an open atmosphere for events and community gatherings throughout the year.

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City in Australia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.7

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	8
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is the official language, and nearly everyone speaks it fluently. Visitors will have no trouble communicating, and most tourism-related services cater to English speakers.

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Last update: 24 Oct 2026

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Canberra Summary

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The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Strong in museums and national institutions. Visit major galleries, explore lakeside parks, cycle scenic paths and learn about national history.

Place score

7.4

Best at:

Spotless

Museums

Art

Gardens & parks

Cycling

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 9

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

🌈 9

LGBTQ+

Australia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type I Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Australian Dollar (AUD) £1 ≈ A$1.89
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widely accepted, even in rural areas. Digital wallets are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not mandatory in Australia. Rounding up or 10% is appreciated in high-end restaurants.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is regulated and often prohibited, except in designated areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in public indoor spaces and most outdoor public areas.

Australia Day (January)	Public events and celebrations occur nationwide.
ANZAC Day (April)	Commemorations and closures happen.
Christmas (December)	Festive events and closures occur.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 000 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, 13cabs, Ola
Other:	Australia's vast size requires careful planning for travel between regions. Be aware of wildlife and sun exposure.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Canberra, Australia

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	March - May, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - Feb., Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	4 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Floriade flower festival runs mid September to mid October in Commonwealth Park

Bushfire season December to February: smoke and heat can disrupt outdoor plans

Winter nights regularly drop below freezing, while days stay sunny and dry

Don't miss

🕯️ Visit the Australian War Memorial and attend Last Post ceremony
🏛️ Explore the majestic Parliament House with guided tours
🔬 Discover interactive science fun at Questacon
🌳 Stroll through the National Arboretum and view bonsai collection
🦁 Feed animals at the National Zoo and Aquarium
🛍️ Browse crafts and food at Old Bus Depot Markets

You've been here?

Why travel to Canberra?

Canberra is Australia's capital, home to some of the country's most important institutions like Parliament House and the National Gallery. The city is beautifully planned, with wide boulevards, scenic parks and Lake Burley Griffin at its heart. Plus, it's surrounded by nature reserves and wineries, making it perfect for both cultural sightseeing and outdoor activities.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Parliament House
2 Old Parliament House
3 Australian War Memorial
4 National Museum of Australia
5 Australian National Botanic Gardens
6 National Gallery of Australia
7 National Library of Australia
8 National Portrait Gallery
9 Black Mountain Tower

🎡Places for activities

1 Australian Institute of Sport
2 Mount Stromlo Observatory
3 Marion Mahony Griffin Lookout
4 The Canberra Glassworks
5 GOBOAT Canberra
6 Canberra Reptile Zoo
7 The Truffle Farm

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Mount Ainslie
2 Black Mountain
3 Gibraltar Falls
4 Lake Burley Griffin
5 Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
6 National Arboretum Canberra
7 Namadgi National Park Visitor Centre
8 Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve
9 Molonglo Gorge Nature Reserve
10 Yarralumla Bay

🛍️Shopping

1 Canberra Centre
2 Westfield Woden
3 Capital Region Farmers Market
4 Braddon
5 Lonsdale Street
6 Old Bus Depot Markets
7 Bunda Street

🎈Events

Floriade (Spring flower festival)
National Multicultural Festival
Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Enlighten Festival
Summernats Car Festival
Canberra Craft Beer & Cider Festival
Truffle Festival
Canberra Writers Festival
Spilt Milk Music Festival
Canberra International Film Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Visit Australian War Memorial for moving history exhibits.
Tour Parliament House; book free sessions to watch debates in action.
Seek panoramic city views from Mount Ainslie Lookout at sunset.
Explore National Arboretum's rare trees, trails and POD playground for families.

How to travel to Canberra

Canberra Airport (CBR) connects to major Australian cities but has limited international flights. Visitors often fly into Sydney and drive (3-hour drive) or take a bus/train. There are direct bus routes from Sydney and Melbourne.

Access summary

From Canberra Airport (CBR): City bus or taxi to Civic, about 15–25 minutes.
From Sydney: Intercity coaches or driving via Hume Highway, usually around 3–4 hours.
From Melbourne: Long-distance buses or flights to CBR, typically about 1–2 hours by air.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Canberra

Canberra has a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels near the lake to boutique stays in Braddon and affordable options in the suburbs. Budget travelers can find hostels and campgrounds nearby.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Quest Canberra City Walk

9.2

Avenue Hotel Canberra

Canberra Rex Hotel and Serviced Apartments

8.5

Forrest Hotel and Apartments

8.3

Crowne Plaza Canberra By IHG

8.8

Little Drifter Canberra

8.5

Garden City Hotel, BW Signature Collection

8.4

Madison Capital Executive Apartment Hotel

8.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Canberra

Public transport is available but limited, so renting a car or using rideshares is recommended. The city is bike-friendly and walking is great in central areas. The ACTION bus network connects major spots.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-3 %

Daily expenses in Canberra are around 3% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to AUD) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£76	£152	£383
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£38	£75	£150
🍝 Food per day	£28	£67	£206
🚕 Transportation per day	£10	£9	£27

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£26
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£10
☕ Cappuccino	£2.80
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£40
🤧 Cold medication	£3.70
💇 Basic haircut	£14

Safety information overview

General safety

Canberra is one of the safest cities in Australia with low crime rates. Standard precautions should be taken, especially at night in less busy areas.

Health & Medical

Excellent healthcare services with well-equipped hospitals and clinics. No specific health risks, but sun protection is essential due to high UV levels.

Accessibility

The city is well-planned with accessible pathways and facilities. Public transport has accessibility features, but a car may be needed for exploring beyond the city.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink and of high quality. Public fountains are available in many parks and public spaces.