Australian War Memorial
The nation's most moving museum: the galleries, the Roll of Honour, the daily Last Post ceremony. Give it half a day minimum - it earns it.
Guide
Things to do in Canberra
Canberra surprises everyone: the War Memorial moves you, the galleries are world-class, the lake is beautiful, and the food scene punches absurdly high. The planned capital that turned out interesting.
Photos for Canberra are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
The memorial and the hill
Parliament House
The grass-covered landmark: free guided tours, the rooftop lawns with the best view in Canberra, Question Time when Parliament sits.
The galleries
National Gallery of Australia
The great Australian collection: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander galleries are essential. Special exhibitions ticketed.
National Portrait Gallery
The faces of Australia, next door to the High Court - smaller, sharper, worth an hour.
The lake
Lake Burley Griffin
The 35 km foreshore: walk the central basin bridges, hire a bike, picnic at Weston Park (kangaroos included). The Captain Cook Memorial Jet is the landmark.
Mount Ainslie lookout
The classic panorama: the lake axis, Parliament, the Brindabellas. Sunrise is the hour.
Seasonal essential
Floriade
Australia's celebration of spring: a million blooms in Commonwealth Park. The city's biggest annual event - book accommodation months ahead.
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