Canberra

Minutes from the city center of Canberra is the Australian War Memorial. Though free to enter, there are some restrictions for those carrying in bags and other traveling gear. The memory of fallen soldiers is the focus of the War Memorial, which can often be eclipsed by large statues and murals depicting nameless soldiers. The first thing you’ll see entering the memorial is the reflecting pool Commemorative Courtyard. Here, the Roll of Honour names some 102,000 members who lost their lives during service. Only after passing the names, dotted by a field of poppies, will you come to the Hall of Memory with the unknown soldier. Once passed, the visit to the museum begins, where your family learns all about Australia’s military history.

Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT 2612, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-43-42-11

Fly high above Australia’s capital city with a hot air balloon ride. With over 30 years of service, Balloon Aloft Canberra provides flights with CASA approved pilots. When you sign up for a balloon ride, you’ll meet approximately 30 minutes before sunrise, that way you can take in the sunrise and the soft light as it splays across the city. These rides are typically about an hour. Afterward, you’ll celebrate with a champagne toast at the Hyatt Hotel. If you purchase it with your ticket, a buffet breakfast is also available at the Hyatt.

19 Kallaroo Rd, Pialligo ACT 2609, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-49-86-60

When visiting another country, it’s always fascinating to see how their government works. Australian Parliament House is where the senators and members meet to pass legislation. Its design is truly Australian, reminiscent of a boomerang and built directly into Capital Hill. Open 364 days of the year, you’ll have an excellent chance at seeing some of the bills currently debated by the House and sit in on Question Time. Besides watching democracy in play, you can also check out the 6,000 pieces of artwork and artifacts on display throughout Parliament House.

Parlaiment Dr, Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

You’d never guess it once you’re out on Booroomba Rocks looking out across a vast openness of cliffs, forests, and Australian bush – you’re only 2.5 kilometers away from the parking lot and civilization. Anyone of nearly all fitness levels can enjoy the steep incline up the mountainside to see the beautiful views looking out over the granite cliffs. For the more adventurous and fit, consider the longer 10.5-kilometer trail that takes you down through the bush. At the Namadgi National Park Visitors Center, you can gear up and prepare for your hike with some drinks and snacks.

Tennent ACT 2620, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-07-29-00

Questacon National Science and Technology Centre is a great stop for the whole family. Besides a souvenir shop and café for treats, parents and kids will booth adore all Questacon has to teach. Learn how the Earth moves and works with Awesome Earth, where you can experience an earthquake in person. Then head over to the Shed to get inventive. Once you’ve tinkered and possibly built something, your next bet is the Exicte@Q, where both body and mind are tested with an 18-foot free-fall slide, and a balance-bending Rototron, which uses LED lights to make your center of balance feel out of whack.

King Edward Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-70-28-00

The National Gallery of Australia is not kidding when it calls itself National: it houses over 166,000 pieces and is possibly the largest art museum in Australia. Along with work by Australian painter Hugh Ramsay, plenty of famous art is available to view, such as Warhol, Picasso, Lichtenstein, Monet, and Matisse. Outdoors holds as much art as inside with giant sculptures that can only be housed somewhere as large as Mother Nature’s backyard. Perhaps most important to Australia is the Indigenous art of the Aboriginal tribes. Discover textiles, drawings, desert paintings, and tribal objects that all showcase the beauty of the Australian Indigenous peoples.

Parkes PI E, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-40-64-11

The center of Canberra is Lake Burley Griffin, a beautiful cool blue jewel in the center of a bustling city. This lake is used by locals and visitors whenever they want to get some water activities on their agenda. At about 12-feet deep, this 6.64-square km lake is a great place to stop for a swim, a picnic, or some paddleboarding. Three great beaches are tested weekly for safe water conditions: Yarralumla Beach, Weston Park East, and Black Mountain Beach. Visitors also spend time fishing and boating the lake. It’s always a great option to try something new when on vacation, so maybe dragon boating could be your adventure?

Acton, ACT, Australia, Phone: 13-00-55-41-14

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Taking an adventure out into the Aboriginal homesteads can really boost your vacation’s cultural aspect. Out in the bush, you can camp, picnic, and watch for wildlife. Seriously, watch out for wildlife when camping, and rent a Personal Locator Beacon from the Visitor Centre if you plan on going out on your own. If you just feel like a simpler trek, take a walk through the Bendora Arboretum or take a guided tour through the Bimberi wilderness. Better yet, consider horseback riding through the landscape on the fire trails. Along your adventures, you’ll come across some old huts and homesteads built by settlers over the years.

Namadgi National Park, Paddys River ACT 2620, Australia, Phone: 13-22-81

There are over 210,000 objects housed in the National Museum of Australia that showcase Australia’s history and cultures. Though general admission is free, you may find that special visiting exhibits incur a cost. The three permanent exhibits at the National Museum cover the First Australian, Landmarks, and Old New Land. The First Australians look at the Aborigines and the objects that they used throughout time, while Landmarks looks at important pieces of history when the British colonies established Australia for what we see today. Finally, the Old New Land exhibit looks at how people and Australia’s ecology have developed the land and culture over time.

Lawson Crescent, Acton ACT 2601, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-08-50-00

To check out the largest collection of native plants, visit Australia National Botanic Gardens. There are at least 1.2 million specimens throughout, so plan to spend plenty of time check out all the plants in the gardens and herbarium. Throughout the year, the Botanic Gardens provides guided walks through the community and gardens, such as the Threatened Species Day walk and Wake up with the Birds Birdwatching in the garden. Beyond tours, plant sales, storytime, grandparents’ playtime, and special talks are held. If you’re feeling up to making a day of it, check out the café and bookshop or splurge at the Jindii EcoSpa.

Clunies Ross St, Acton ACT 2601, Australia, Phone: 61-2-62-50-95-88