Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Canberra?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Canberra?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the under-rated city of Canberra, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the hiking, and the big city activities. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Canberra below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Canberra?

Most people spend two to three days in Canberra during their visit. The under-rated city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the hiking, and the big city activities.

Canberra is the capital city of Australia. While it's often overlooked by tourists, it actually has a number of interesting museums and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. There are some vineyards in the area as well as a local food and festival scene.

Do you have one or two days to visit Canberra? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Canberra?

Canberra isn't a particularly popular city for tourists, despite having some sights and attractions worth seeing. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the hiking. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for two to three days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Canberra

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Canberra, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

A few tour suggestions include:

Museum Highlights Tour | 1pm Daily ($13)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

The public transit in Canberra is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Canberra?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the under-rated city of Canberra, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, the hiking, and the big city activities. Many tourists set aside two to three days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Canberra below.

Canberra (Tourism Australia)

How to spend 2 days in Canberra

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Canberra will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Perhaps the most famous spot in Canberra is the Australian War Memorial, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Canberra, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.