What to do with visiting family in Canberra (that you’ll actually enjoy too)
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So, your family is in town, and you want to prove to them that Canberra is so much more than meets the eye. Here’s what you can do – and we promise that you’ll enjoy it too.
It’s the moment everyone dreads: your family is visiting and they ask you to show them the must-see sights of Canberra (or worse yet, they’ve already decided that Canberra sucks). Your mind goes blank. Your palms start sweating. You begin to question what even are the best sights of Canberra? In fact, what is there even to do in Canberra?!
Before you spiral, worry not – we’ve pulled together a handy guide of things to do with visiting family. And the best part is, you’ll enjoy it as well.
Covering all ages – from your grandparents to your niblings – we promise that this list will see you crowned the favourite family member (at least, until everyone goes home again).
Check out a local winery or brewery
Comedian and actor George Burns put it best when he said that “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” But when they decide to come to town, sometimes happiness is a large, loving, caring, close-knit family…and a drink in hand. Luckily, we have some of Australia’s best drops right on our doorstep.
Take your wine loving family on a road trip to the Canberra Wine Region to explore 140 vineyards and more than 30 cellar doors. They prefer beer? Worry not, you can pay a visit to BentSpoke, Capital Brewing Co and Cypher Brewing Co for some of the country’s best craft brews. With plenty of options to choose from, we’ll be shocked if something doesn’t impress.
See a cult movie at ARC Cinema
If your family loves a movie (or you just need some quiet time in a dark room) cult movie nights at the National Sound and Film Archive are a fun experience for all ages. Known as “Canberra’s go-to spot for the culturally curious”, the Art Deco cinema is not only beautiful but is also home to a diverse line-up of films – ranging from The Matrix to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Make sure to check out the line-up for their Hot Summer Nights series as well – taking place every Friday and Saturday between January 9 and February 14, it’s a great excuse to take the family along to the NFSA heritage courtyard for live music followed by classic cinema.
Eat your way around town
The best way to the heart is through the stomach, and with more restaurants per capita than anywhere else on mainland Australia, your family will be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out in Canberra.
From street food to hatted restaurants, there’s sure to be something out there that even the fussiest of eater will enjoy. And if there’s not? Well, we can’t help you. If you need some inspiration, here are all of Canberra’s new café, restaurant and bar openings from 2025. With over 150 venues to choose from, grab your family, go forth and eat.
Go swimming at The Cotter or Casuarina Sands
The coast might only be a two-hour drive away, but for a true Canberra experience (and a little slice of paradise), swimming at The Cotter or Casuarina Sands is a must-do. Ideal for picnics, fishing, bushwalking, and general relaxation – with stunning natural surrounds – all you need to do is drive the family to Stromlo and enjoy.
Visit the local markets
As a big country town, Canberra is blessed to have so much fresh, local easily available – so why not show it off by taking everyone to one of our many local markets? Also selling other artisan and handmade goods, spend the day exploring Canberra’s lakeside market (The Little Burley Market), wandering through the Haig Park Village Markets or visiting “Canberra’s Sunday best” – the Old Bus Depot Markets.
Have a floating picnic
Lake Burley Griffin is a Canberra icon, and a must-see for anyone visiting the city. But instead of having a picnic by the water, this is your sign to have one on the water. Fitting up to eight people and with no boat licence required, booking a Go Boat for a few hours is a memorable way to spend the day. Showcasing Canberra’s beauty (as well as some amazing landmarks), it’s the perfect combination of exploring and unwinding.
You might be stuck in a confined space with your family for a while, but hey, at least the views will be nice?
Explore Gold Creek Village
When was the last time you explored Gold Creek Village? Known as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the capital, it’s well worth a re-visit (especially if you need to entertain some kids).
This quaint village is home to Cockington Green Gardens, the National Dinosaur Museum, the Canberra Reptile Zoo, a walk-in aviary, the Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery, and more (we haven’t even talked about the food options). Take the family along and play tourist in your own town – we promise it’ll be worth it.
See a world-class exhibition
It’s a fascinating symptom of being a Canberran: we seem to forget that we literally have world-class exhibitions just outside our doors. With something amazing always happening at our local institutions (most of which have free entry), there’s something for every kind of culture vulture.
As for the kids? Questacon is always a lot of fun, they (and you) can literally learn how to make money at the Royal Australian Mint and they can get crafty at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House. Also, home to about 40 contemporary galleries, there’s lots for your family to uncover in Canberra.
Take a local tour
Okay, hear us out – some really cool tours in Canberra will have you seeing the city in a whole new light. The Eat Canberra Food Tour will have you eating and drinking all of the best dishes while a She Shapes History tour will show a different side to the capitals history.
Interested in learning more about the land from the eyes of the Ngunnawal people? The cultural tours by Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation are a must-do and you can become a part of ‘The Dreaming’ with Dhawura Tours’ Ngunawal guides in Canberra’s nature reserves.
Looking for something more adventurous? See the capital and Brindabella Ranges from above on a helicopter tour with Air CBR or join a Canberra By Bike tour for a unique experience.
See why we’re called the “Bush Capital”
National Parks, rock climbing, swimming holes, hikes, and mountain bike trails less than a 30-minute drive away? Yeah, that’s pretty cool. If you have a family that likes to get out and about, there’s plenty of things for them to do.
From taking a complete a lap of the capital on the Canberra Centenary Trail to walking through 90+ forests of rare and significant trees at the National Arboretum, there’s more natural wonders in Canberra than you can poke a stick at. And the best part? Your family will be so exhausted from all the fun, they won’t even have the energy to ask when you’re moving back home. Win/win.
