Long Weekend in Canberra Long Weekend in Canberra

Discover Australia's story with a culture-packed long weekend in Canberra with TimeOut's fabulous A three-day culture-packed getaway in Canberra.

The Bush Capital is home to 13 of Australia's most important cultural institutions, along with a thriving food and drink scene that rivals those of Sydney and Melbourne.

Each museum, memorial, gallery and landmark represents an exemplary element of our nation's story, documenting its past and present, along with its hopes for the future.

Find your story by exploring Canberra's Cultural Icons using this jam-packed three-day itinerary.

A three-day culture-packed getaway in Canberra

Discover Australia's story with a long weekend in our cultural capital

There's much more to Canberra beyond what you saw on your Year Six school excursion.

Day one

Canberra is the beating heart of Australian democracy so it makes sense to start your trip at Parliament House. Here, you can explore the public areas at your leisure and watch the House of Representatives and the Senate from the galleries on sitting days.

Next, head to the National Portrait Gallery for a squiz at the countless artistic renderings of our country's most famed characters.

Take an afternoon tea break by the lake at Margot Bar before hopping over to Questacon. This spectacular science and technology centre delights young and old with interactive displays and whiz-bang exhibits. Alternatively, while away the afternoon in the National Library of Australia, checking out the extraordinary Treasures Gallery, and call it a day with dinner at local Cantonese institution, Chairman and Yip.

Day two

Begin day two commemorating the sacrifice of our service personnel at the Australian War Memorial.

Learn about their experiences and place a poppy on the Roll of Honour, before continuing on to the National Gallery of Australia to explore significant Australian and international artworks, including the world's largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Save room for a visit to the National Museum of Australia where you can traverse our country's history and culture through fascinating artefacts including bark canoes and an FJ Holden from the 1950s.

Then, spend the afternoon checking out what's on at Arc, the stunning Art Deco cinema at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia in Acton.

The most daring visitors can experience the building after dark with Tim the Yowie Man's popular ghost tours.

Day three

With a long weekend in your pocket, you'll have plenty of time to explore the National Triangle.

Take the wheel as the captain of your own eight-seater electric GoBoat for a peaceful cruise on Lake Burley Griffin where you'll encounter renowned waterside landmarks, such as the National Carillon, and witness six tonnes of water spectacularly suspended 150 metres in mid-air by the Captain Cook Memorial Jet.

Further around the lake, you'll find the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, where you can learn more about Jimmy Pike and his beautiful artwork, or visit the reading room to discover your family history.

Lock in a visit to National Archives of Australia to see Connections / Mura gadi: archives, people, place, an interactive exhibition revealing the surprising connections that everyday Australians have with our Government.

If time allows, plug into political history at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and learn about the events that shaped our modern nation.

Then, wrap up the weekend with a guided tour at the Royal Australian Mint where you can mint your very own one dollar coin.

Source: TimeOut

By Time Out in association with The Cultural Icons
Monday 16 October 2023

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