Visit Canberra

Explore Canberra’s many national attractions, which hold and share the treasures of our nation. Celebrate Australia’s proud sporting achievements, explore our unique political history, and reflect on stories of bravery and courage. See our country and people through the eyes of our artists, and experience Australian character through sound and film, books and engaging exhibitions.

Picture yourself unwinding in Canberra, a city in a park with golden autumn leaves, glorious spring blooms and bright blue skies.

Hidden beneath the leafy surrounds is a thriving modern city with fun for the kids, a busy calendar of events and festivals, and stylish restaurants, bars and shops.

See your nation reflected in its capital. See yourself in Canberra — there’s never been a better time to visit.

Make sure you allow enough time to linger longer and enjoy all the nation’s capital has to offer, and to tour the surrounding region’s wineries, historic townships, beautiful coastlines and the famous Snowy Mountains.

History
Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal name Kamberra. European settlers first came in the 1830s, and the area was chosen for the federal capital in 1908. Canberra’s special contrast of nature and urban living was planned in 1912 by Canberra’s master designer, Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect who won an international design competition. The provisional Parliament House was opened in 1927 in what was then a treeless paddock. More information on Canberra’s history: nationalcapital.gov.au

Location: 150 kilometres inland and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean.

Population: 324,000 people

Weather
Canberra has four distinct and wonderful seasons turning the city into a kaleidoscope of colour.

Season	Climate	Average minimum*	Average maximum*
Spring	Fresh cool sunny days with glorious floral blossoms	5	19
Summer	Warm to hot, plenty of sunshine	12	27
Autumn	Thousands of trees turn gold and red, with cool nights and warm days	7	20
Winter	Crisp and cool with occasional frosty mornings and striking sunny days	1	12

Banking hours
Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.00pm
Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Most branches offer 24 hour automatic teller machines

Retail shopping hours
Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm
Friday 9.00am to 9.00pm
Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Hours vary at smaller shopping centres and in the nearby city of Queanbeyan.

More information

Canberra and Region Visitors Centre
9:00am to 5:30pm – Monday to Friday
9:00am to 4:00pm – Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
330 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson 2602
Telephone: 1300 554 114 or 02 6205 0044
Website: visitcanberra.com.au

Tourist information: 1300 554 114