Take a tour of the National Zoo and Aquarium to see the sharks, tigers, lions and bears. Mint a $1 coin at the Royal Australian Mint which has a capacity to produce 2 million coins a say.
Visit the National Institute of Sport, the place where many Australian sporting dreams begin. Try your skills at rowing or wheelchair basketball. Go to Cockington Green Gardens to see the world in miniature and visit Gold Creek Village , the National Dinosaur Museum , take the Bird Walk and check out the Australian Reptile Park.
While in Canberra, take a tour of the cool climate vineyards. Most are within 30 minutes of the city centre and more than 30 vineyards have cellar doors with affordable prices and friendly people.
If you want to travel out of Canberra do hire a car, have a look at the best Canberra car rental deals using the search box below:
Take your time cruising around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffith on a heritage vessel, seeing the sights while relaxing with a drink and some lunch. Watch out for the spray from the Captain Cook jet if you pass too close!
A short drive from Canberra, the Tidbinbilla National Park is a diverse natural habitat set deep within a valley. Eco-tours in the park are run by rangers and conservation groups, and provide an in-depth education on the natural processes and wildlife activities within the reserve. A combination of guided walks and 4WD adventuring will take you to sights such as the Gibraltar Rocks and the Camels Hump. At night you’ll explore the creepy crawlies and nocturnal beings by torchlight before camping out under the stars.
One of the perfect Canberra tours is to the Snowy Mountains which offer activities both summer and winter. Explore Cooma – main base of the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. This complex system uses snow melt to produce electricity, and consists of 7 power stations and 16 dams – the largest engineering feat ever undertaken in Australia. Take a tour of the underground power station at Tumut, or soak in the splendour of from the dams amid the impressive mountain scenery.
Rent some skis or a snowboard at Thredbo or Perisher and take on Australia’s highest mountain, Mt Kosciusko, then unwind in some of the region’s natural thermal pools. In summer, challenge yourself with a hike through the alpine countryside, or take part in the legendary Snowy River Run Horse Race or mountain muster.
Pack as many of attractions the nation’s capital has to offer into a day on the Explorer Bus. Hop on and hop off as much as you like as you explore the monuments to the nation’s history. Do a tour of duty at the Australian War Memorial; indulge your kids side with the interactive science displays at Questacon; print your own money at the Royal Australian Mint; watch the politicians have it out at a session at Parliament House; or stroll through the native wildlife at the National Botanic Gardens.
Head underground to experience the natural wonder of the Wee Jasper Caves. Consisting of seven separate chambers, the 1 ¼ hr tour will guide you through the mineralogy and crystallography involved in the formation and constant development of the cave system. On surfacing, you’ll be given lunch and the chance to brush up on your abseiling skills, before sailing over the edge and back into the ground to explore another section of the caving system.
Like the idea of mountain biking, but not too keen on the uphill bits? Try the Majura Descent, where you race downhill then winds at an easy grade along the fire trails of the Majura Pine Forest. End the tour at one of the local vineyards for a wine tasting and afternoon tea.
If you want to spend some time in the Australian bush, visit Corin Forest Mountain Retreat just 45 minutes from Canberra . This a recreational facility that has the excitement of a 1.2 km Bobsled Slide, a 110 m waterslide and a flying fox set in Australia's natural bushland.
There is something for everyone to do in and around Canberra, whether it is visiting Australia 's national exhibitions or exploring the region's natural wonders.
Canberra weather
Canberra has a relatively dry continental climate - warm to hot and dry summers and cool to cold winters. The weather in Canberra is governed by the coastal weather patterns to its east,the elevation of Canberra and the subtropical ridge of high pressure systems that stretch the length of Australia. These systems generate mostly easterly and north-westerly winds, giving Canberra four very distinct seasons.
If the weather becomes to much you can find a quick getaway from Canberra, book Sydney Hotels now.
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