Alex O'Brien
International Travel

10 free things to do in Canberra

Maligned by some (perhaps due to the presence of pollies), Canberra is a great location for a night, weekend or maybe even longer. And there’s plenty to see and do!

Here are 10 free things to do when visiting the nation’s capital.

Scroll through the gallery above to check them all out!

1. Pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial

We’ve mentioned this one before, and for good reason. Admission to the Memorial won’t cost you a cent, with free 30, 60 and 90 minute tours run by volunteers.

2. Learn and discover at the National Museum of Australia

Entrance to the National Museum is free, giving you a chance to experience a range of fascinating exhibitions that examine Australia’s past, present and future.

3. Take a stroll through the Australian National Botanical Gardens

The Gardens has a range of walking trails to suit all tastes and interests, catering for everyone from people after a quiet stroll to an in-depth botanical study.

4. Enjoy an afternoon at Canberra Glass Works

For something a little left of centre, a visit to Canberra Glass Works with a range on interesting exhibits building on the growing success of local artists.

5. Have a picnic at Lennox Gardens

If you’re looking for a place for a nice picnic you really can’t do much better than Lennox Gardens with a beautiful view taking in the glorious surrounds.

6. Enjoy a morning at the Royal Australian Mint

Visits to the Royal Australian Mint are absolutely free, and there’s not many better things to do than to spend a morning where every Australian coin is made.

7. Observe the collection at the National Gallery of Australia

Fees do apply for special exhibitions, but general admission which gets you into the permanent galleries at the National Gallery of Australia won’t cost you a cent.

8. Visit the National Film & Sound Archive

Seeking to collect items that preserve Australia’s visual and audio heritage, the National Film & Sound Archive is a fascinating place for anyone to explore.

9. View the items at the National Portrait Gallery

This fascinating gallery features a collection of portraits that showcase prominent Australians from a range of different endeavours. Definitely a must-visit.

10. Experience the National Archive of Australia

Discover about our countries past at the National Archive of Australia, which has a range of fascinating exhibits to help you learn about our country. 

Have you ever been to Canberra and tried any of these free, fun activities? Are there any that we missed? Let us know in the comments.

Related links:

Why everyone should visit Australia’s War Memorial

Australia’s most spectacular hot air ballooning locations

10 images from Canberra’s most unique hotel

Tags:
australia, travel, free, Canberra, ACT