And beyond to Canberra

Make the Grand Pacific Drive your coastal link to Canberra where you can picture yourself unwinding in a park with golden autumn leaves, glorious spring blooms and bright blue skies. It’s a place to explore wide open spaces, reconnect with natural surrounds and discover some of Australia’s best attractions. Spend some time in Canberra celebrating our proud sporting achievements, exploring 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, film and engaging exhibitions.

MUST SEE, MUST DO:

• At the Australian War Memorial listen to the Last Post at 5pm, and pause beneath the Lone Pine in the grounds-a descendant of a pine from Gallipoli
• Check out iconic sporting memorabilia, including Sir Donald Bradman’s cricket gloves, the 1952 Melbourne Cup and Layne Beachley’s surfboard and bikini at the National Museum of Australia
• See Parliament in action during Parliament House Question Time at 2pm each sitting day
  Learn about Australia through the eyes of our artists at the National Gallery of Australia
  Take a cruise on Lake Burley Griffin with Southern Cross Cruises and see the sights from a different perspective
• Follow in the steps of former Prime Ministers at Old Parliament House, also home to the National Portrait Gallery, one of the world’s few portrait galleries
• Walk past miniature versions of famous buildings from around the world at Cockington Green Gardens
• Hand feed a tiger, let a bear lick honey from your hand or see koalas, kangaroos, emus and dingoes up close at the National Zoo & Aquarium
• Visit the Old Bus depot Markets on Sundays for hand crafted jewellery, art, clothing and regional food and wine produce
• Rise above the national capital in a hot air balloon to see Canberra’s beautifully planned layout from the air
• Take a ranger-guided walk in Namadgi National Park or enjoy a picnic with the emus at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
• Visit the Australian Institute of Sport - home to some of Australia’s current and future Olympians. Take a tour with an elite athlete to see the Institute from the inside and test your athletic skills in the Sportex Exhibition
• Check out the rotating theatre exhibit at the National Museum of Australia, and be enthralled by the stories of unique Australians who have earned their place in history
• Questacon is fun for all the family - free fall six metres down a vertical slide, experience an earthquake

Scenic Shots from this Part of the Grand Pacific Drive »