Free Things to Do in Canberra
THE 10 BEST Free Things to Do in Canberra
Best Free Things to Do in Canberra
Category types
Types of Attractions
Traveller rating
Good for
97 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
Architectural Buildings • Government Buildings
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Open now
Architectural Buildings • History Museums
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Libraries
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Visitor Centres
Flea & Street Markets
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Learn more about this content
Tours, activities and experiences bookable on Tripadvisor, ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, popularity, user preferences, price, and bookings made through Tripadvisor.
…
Showing results 1-30 of 97
What travellers are saying
- KatOBrisbane, Australia89 contributionsThe war memorial is an absolute must on your visit to Canberra. Whilst it is undergoing large renovations, there is still so much to see. I would highly recommend a visit (and pack the tissues).Written 19 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AmyLondon, UK5 contributionsmodern and simple design. Elegant and cool. There are many tourists here. A great spot for photos with your friend and family.Written 19 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AudieBerquistCanberra, Australia19 contributionsThis stunning building displays both indigenous Australian art and international artwork in the same spot. You won't find any works by Dutch masters here, but there is a current exhibition that features Picasso and Matisse (for an additional fee).Written 29 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Felix A3 contributionsRode up to the peak, stayed for about one hour. Magnificent view of Canberra, I recommend going up for a great view, or even a picnic.Written 25 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Mairwen1United Kingdom9,317 contributionsLake Burley Griffin is a beautiful, man-made lake and the centrepiece of Canberra. One of the best outdoor things to do in Canberra is to walk around the lake, or at least a section of it.
The 20 km looped walking track is a wide, flat and paved path that follows the shoreline.
Along the way you pass many of Canberra’s landmark buildings like the Parliament, the National Library and National Museum as well as several statues and many memorials. The Capt James Cook Memorial fountain is a main feature, with a single jet of water that shoots up to 150 metres high, at a force of 260kms per hour.
We only had time to do a short walk, and the part that runs alongside the Sculpture Gardens is a lovely stretch.
The highlight is the replica of Antony Gormley's, Angel of the North. This industrial looking angel, stands, with wings spread wide, against the backdrop of the lake. The statue struck us as being vaguely familiar and we realised later that the original (and much much larger) ‘Angel of the North’ is located in Gateshead, UK.
Another highlight was Clement Meadmore’s, Virginia, a massive, weathered steel structure. Again, its the backdrop of the lake which is the real star here.
If you have time to do the whole walk, then there is a good guide on the official website for the National Capital Authority (NCA). You can find it under ‘Lake Burley Griffin Self-Guided Walking Tour’.Written 30 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ian RSydney, Australia448 contributionsFabulous, fabulous collection of Archibald Prize entrants. They’re not all winners but you can’t help thinking many that weren’t, should have been.
I’ve always found Archibald pieces either loveable at first sight or detestable - with very little in between. This collection has a fine balance of both.
The exhibit is arranged thematically. Not sure if that put pressure on wall space as a few pieces were poorly lit. Hopefully somebody pointed that out to them.Written 30 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - yazitravelsBordeaux, France415 contributionsOhh wow, we really didn't expect the museum to be so big. There is a parking however you have to pay to park. There are spaces dedicated to long veihcules. We only paid for an hour. That was before seeing the size of the museum. You definetly need more than an hour to visit. At least 2 hours. Also good for kids.Written 7 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Allylou2002Liverpool, UK37 contributionsWhat a great little visit. Our tour guide Hannah was very knowledgeable and led our tour really well. It is only a little experience maybe an hour or an hour and a half but we enjoyed learning of the history of the currency and seeing all the different coins. Was a shame that they were not printing any when we were there but no a major disappointment. My little one enjoyed completing he scavenger hunt booklet and pressing his own dollar coin.Written 10 August 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- maxwellfamily200354 contributionsWe had a great time visiting the Aboretum. The playground was super fun for the primary aged kids. The views are sensational. We enjoyed a tour of the site hearing the stories and understanding the beauty and planning that is happening was great. Recommend taking a picnic (or purchasing from cafe) as there is so many beautiful areas to sit and enjoy.Written 6 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Reece C1 contributionEven if you're not particularly into plants/gardens, you should visit The National Arboretum and see The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection.
It's probably the most comprehensive display of this beautiful art anywhere in Australia.Written 28 September 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - car0leb66Brisbane, Australia232 contributionsI always visit the beautiful Australian National Botanic Gardens when I visit Canberra as there is always something wonderful to enjoy and walk amongst. It is usually a serene place to wander. However a big new Conservatory is being built to house Northern Australian plants and trees the middle is a large building site so you need to negotiate your way around the area where paths are closed off. This visit - the Arid Zone, the rainforest gullies and dazzling flowering wattles stood out for me. Children are well catered for with a tree wonderful house. The singing birds were a lovely backdrop at the top of the gardens. Volunteers run guided walks at certain times which is a big plus. One downside is that the paid parking is somewhat off-putting. However I'll still keep visiting.Written 9 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Marty ..Ballina, Australia402 contributionsANZAC Parade is surely a significant location in Canberra
This straight & inclined roadway .. travels between the impressive Australian War Memorial & nearly to / from Lake Burley Griffin
Traveling both outer sides of ANZAC Parade .. is ANZAC park
Within ANZAC Park .. there are plenty of momentous Australian War Monuments / Memorials :-
* Australian Hellenic Memorial
* Australian Army National Memorial
* Australian National Korean War Memorial
* Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial
* Desert Mounted Corps Memorial
* Boer War Memorial
* New Zealand Memorial
* Australian Peacekeeping Memorial
* Rats of Tobruk Memorial
* Royal Australian Air Force Memorial
* Australian Service Nurses National Memorial
* Royal Australian Navy Memorial
* Kemal Ataturk MemorialWritten 15 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - GlobalSafariWollongong, Australia255 contributionsTreasure Trove- NLA
Trove is an Online Library Database at NLA 🖥
Magnificent View of National Library of Australia 🇦🇺 on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin from Commonwealth Bridge enroute to its location in Parkes is forever memorable sight thats likened to Parthenon on Acropolis in Greece by me & my family and probably by most tourists & visitors; NLA is a treasure trove of national historical Books, magazines, pictures, photographs, maps, sheet music, manuscripts & websites; collection of publications made available to the Australian public being a national reference & research library by virtue of legal deposit of books by Australian authors, digital and hard-copy Australian published materials; NLA is a must see landmark Commonwealth Heritage listed National Monument & Depository of Knowledge.
NLA houses a Bookshop with Souvenirs, Bookplate Cafe', Reading Rooms of various collections, TROVE the National Bibliographic Database and Exhibition Galleries featuring artists, authors or historical voyages for eg. the Exhibition of Captain Cook and the Pacific for public information & entertainment.
Our visit to 'Cook and the Pacific' as given below was one of my many memorable visits and awesome experience at NLA the Australian Icon🌏 that exudes cool calm & collected aura.
COOK and the PACIFIC EXHIBITION
at National Library of Australia an interesting historical expose' of an enigmatic Explorer, Navigator, Cartographer Captain James Cook & his Ship Endeavour; Cook's Voyages of Discovery from 1768-1780 three extraodinary expeditions were both scientific & strategic covering Pacific Islands, Polynesian Cultures, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii! 🤔 🌐🌏🌎🗺️🗾Someone had to do it for the benefit of prevailing & the generations to come🙂 Also on display Beauty Rich & Rare Sound and Light experience of Natural Beauty through the eyes & genus of the Naturalist Joseph Banks🌿🌴🌱🥀🌺









Written 28 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Adrian DParramatta, Australia3 contributionsgreat spot with numerous walks. every summit has beutiful views of canberra and surounding valleys. plentiful animal and wildflower lifeWritten 4 May 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- katejim1Boonah, Australia432 contributionsWe were looking forward to this as we had heard it was good. It was a lot smaller than i thought it would be. Unfortunately we were there the last week and after a very hot week. The tulips were at an end but the poppies were good. Overall very clean and tidy; a lot of places selling stuff....maybe more flowers would be better. We enjoyed what we saw.
A real negative for me was the toilets, we were there just after it opened in the morning and i had to look in 4 before i found one that didn't have paper all over the floor, and looked clean.Written 25 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
