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Top affordable and free things to do in Canberra school holidays
Canberra is a perfect destination for your family holiday. There are plenty of things to do and see in the city all year round!
Some of the top affordable and free things to do in Canberra school holidays are:
Visit the Australian War Memorial
Discover Cockington Green Gardens
Explore the National Museum of Australia
Enjoy art at the National Gallery of Australia
See animals at the National Zoo & Aquarium
Enjoy exploring the National Arboretum Canberra
Enjoy Namadgi hikes and walking trails
Spend a day at the National Dinosaur Museum Canberra
Spend a day at Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre
Discover a pink pond in Canberra
Enjoy panoramic views of Canberra from Mount Ainslie
Discover Black Mountain
Visit the Australian War Memorial
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm
Entry fee: FREE
The Australian War Memorial is one of the best free things to do in Canberra. So book your free tickets to view the Australian War Memorial galleries and attend the daily Last Post Ceremony at 4:55 pm. We recommend taking a 90-minute tour there.
The Australian War Memorial commemorates Australia's war fatalities. During your visit, make sure you go upstairs to pay your respects at the monument for all those soldiers who have served our nation in wars and are no longer with us.
The Australian War Memorial also offers a world-class museum, shrine and archives that provide information about Australia's war history. It also houses a library where visitors can read war facts and the Australian War Memorial art gallery with exhibitions, artworks and large military objects. So, it is surely one of the top attractions in Canberra!
Discover Cockington Green Gardens
Opening hours: Daily, 9:30 am - 5 pm. Last Entry: 4:15pm
Entry fee, from: Adult $21; Child $12.50; Concession $15.50
Visit Cockington Green Gardens, a miniature English garden near Canberra.
What's not to love about a place that has everything? Cockington Green Gardens includes mini versions of world-renowned landmarks and buildings from dozens of countries. You can find these beautiful sights at the Cockington Green Gardens.
Located just 15 minutes north of Canberra, it’s one of the best Canberra attractions for the whole family! For your little ones, there is a steam train, plus some life-size dinosaurs hiding in bushes.
Explore the National Museum of Australia
Address: Lawson Cres, Acton ACT 2601
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am - 5 pm
Entry fee: FREE
The National Museum of Australia is one place you should add to your itinerary when visiting Canberra. Sitting on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra and with its stunning modern architecture that provides an extraordinary experience in exploring the rich and diverse stories from all over Australia, there are exhibits for every age group!
The kids will love exploring the National Museum rooms, which are full of information and surprising, inspirational and treasured objects from Australian history. It’s one of the best things to do in Canberra and a great school holiday activity for kids.
The Host Talk in The National Museum of Australia galleries is held 10 am - 4 pm daily.
Enjoy art at the National Gallery of Australia
Address: Parkes Pl E, Parkes ACT 2600
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm
Entry fee: FREE
The National Gallery of Australia is a must-see for art lovers! It offers free entry. Sitting on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, the National Gallery of Australia displays Australia's largest collection of art, including the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, a large Sculpture Garden and a Fern Garden.
The 11 main galleries on three levels are home to some truly amazing art pieces by many famous artists, from the Chapman Brothers to Warhol to Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles. There are also many special exhibitions, oil paintings, watercolours, sculptures, drawings, book illustrations, decorative art, and more!
There's something here that will appeal to anyone who loves visual arts! The National Gallery of Australia is an art lover's paradise and one of the top Canberra activities for the whole family.
See animals at the National Zoo & Aquarium
Address: 999 Lady Denman Dr, Yarralumla ACT 2611
Opening hours: Daily, 9:30 am - 5 pm
Entry fee, from: Adult $47; Child $26; Concession $40
The National Zoo & Aquarium is a must-see for anyone who loves animals. From red pandas to rhinos, you're sure to find all sorts of important species of Australian fauna and exotic animals at this combined zoo and aquarium in Canberra!
The animal enclosures at the National Zoo are very popular and a must-see for any nature lover. This is because they allow zoo visitors to go behind the scenes, and as it's set like a trail you can interact with a range of exotic animals and can see it all.
Meet meerkats and get up close with cheetahs, giraffes or rhinos, among other animals here at the National Zoo Canberra! It's easy to navigate with kids, prams and wheelchairs there too.
So, if you're looking to spend a fantastic day out with the kids and family when you visit Canberra, the National Zoo is definitely one of the top attractions everyone will enjoy.
Enjoy exploring the National Arboretum Canberra
Opening hours: Daily, 7am - 5.30pm (AEST); 6am - 8.30pm (Daylight Saving Time)
Entry fee: FREE
There are many things to see and do in the Australian Capital Territory, but if you're looking for excellent free outdoor activities, try out the National Arboretum in Canberra.
With the 250-hectare nature area filled with rare native and exotic trees and over 20km of walking trails, there are heaps to explore.
The National Bonsai and Penjing collections are definitely worth seeing. Kids will learn about plants in the Discovery Garden and have fun at the fantastic POD playground. There are picnic areas with panoramic viewpoints and plenty of open space to run and let off steam.
Entry to the gardens is free, but you'll need to pay a small parking fee at the carpark. So why not pack a picnic lunch and spend an afternoon enjoying nature at its finest? National Arboretum is one of the best things to do in Canberra.
Enjoy Namadgi hikes and walking trails
Namadgi National Park Address: Naas Rd, Tharwa ACT 2620
Gibraltar Falls Address: Corin Rd, Paddys River ACT 2620
Opening hours: 9 am - 4 pm daily
Entry fee: FREE
There are many beautiful hiking spots to explore in Australia's capital city. One that should be on your bucket list if you're looking for something different from the hustle and bustles outside the city is Namadgi National Park - about a 1-1.5-hour drive from Canberra city centre.
On your way to Namadgi National Park, you can visit gorgeous Gibraltar Falls and take a lovely hike that takes around 1 hour to return. Please note that
A bit further down from Gibraltar Falls, another popular hiking spot at Booroomba Rocks is at Canberra Namadgi National Park. The 1.5-hour bushwalk will take you through the tall trees before ending with stunning views over them towards the capital city.
If you visit Namadgi National Park in late July, you'll be lucky to see some snow. There are a few walks in Namadgi National Park. So grab one of the Namadgi walking tracks and enjoy the stunning views at the National Park with no distractions whatsoever.
Booroomba Rocks Carpark Address:
Booroomba Rocks Walk, Tennent ACT 2620
Spend a day at the National Dinosaur Museum Canberra
Address: 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls ACT 2913
Opening hours: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm. The last admission is at 4 pm
Entry fee: Adult $18; Child A$11; Concession A$13
On your next Canberra trip, visit The National Dinosaur Museum. The National Dinosaur Museum is one of the top attractions for families with kids in the area. This Canberra museum was opened to the public in 1993. Since then, it has become home to 12 life-like animatronic dinosaurs, plenty of realistic replicas and dinosaur models, a nice kids' play area, and a lovely gift shop.
This National Museum offers a fun way for kids to discover about different geological Eras and prehistoric times. This cool Dinosaur Museum has a kids' play area in the garden with dinosaur replicas and is safe for the children with the safety fencing installed.
The whole family will love exploring the National Dinosaur Museum in Canberra, either during the weekend or school holidays, because this is one of the fun things to do in Canberra for families.
Spend a day at Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre
Opening hours: Daily, 9 am - 5 pm
Questacon entry fee: FREE for kids under 3 years of age; Adult $24.50; Child 4-16 years $18.90; Companion card - FREE
Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre - is one of the top Canberra attractions for families with kids. Located between the High Court and the National Library on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, the National Science Centre offers over 200 hands-on exhibits, heaps of hands-on science displays and do-it-yourself experiments the kids will love!
The Technology Learning Centre at Questacon is the perfect place for kids who are eager to learn about science and technology. The Technology Centre is ideal for middle and high school kids but equally good for all ages due to its informative displays and exhibits. In addition, there are some workshops where kids can learn how to innovate with technology.
So, if your kids like experiments and love science, you're likely to spend the whole day here at the National Science and Technology Centre!
Discover a Pink Lake in Canberra
Opening hours: Always open
Entry fee: FREE
Bruce Pink Lake is a hidden gem and one of the most beautiful attractions and free things to do in Canberra. You can find it during your city walk as it's hiding among trees across the road from the University of Canberra.
The naturally pink waters make this place perfect with its gorgeous view and the ideal background for a selfie or an Instagram photo.
Enjoy panoramic views of Canberra from Mount Ainslie
Address: 20 Mount Ainslie Dr, Australian Capital Territory 2609
Opening hours: Always open
Entry fee: FREE
The stunning views at Mount Ainslie Lookout are not to be missed during one of your day trips to Canberra! This panoramic spot offers a bird's eye view of the capital city, set against its breathtaking backdrop - Lake Burley Griffin and Mt Stromlo.
To get to Mount Ainslie is easy: either drive or walk up from the bottom using the Mount Ainslie walking trail. It's located near the War Memorial.
So pack your camera if you're headed out on outdoor adventures with family because once we got to Mount Ainslie, there are picnic tables ready waiting where everyone can sit down together and enjoy your picnic lunch while enjoying the iconic Canberra views.
Discover Black Mountain
Australian National Botanic Gardens Address: Clunies Ross St, Acton ACT 2601
Opening hours: 8:30 am–5 pm daily
Gardens Entry fee: FREE
Visit Black Mountain, a beautiful National Park that offers heaps of amazing things to do in Canberra for families all year round.
If you want to enjoy Canberra's best 360-degree panoramic views, then Black Mountain National Park is the place to go. Leave the city behind and visit this beautiful park that offers amazing things to do in the capital city, including a fantastic play area for toddlers and young children in Canberra - Black Mountain Peninsula Playground.
Telstra Tower is another iconic building in Canberra, as it can be seen on the horizon from most locations and provides great photo opportunities. The Telstra Tower has been closed due to maintenance (the reopening date is TBA). There are car parks available at the top and bottom of the road, as well as a few walks around the Black Mountain area.
Black Mountain provides an opportunity to let off steam, take some spectacular photos or videos, and visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which are nestled in the foothills of Black Mountain. The gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life while experiencing nature at its best.
