Memorable Experiences & Highlights in Canberra

A fascinating behind the scenes look at the elite training facility that produces the country's top athletes and Olympic medallists. The tours are guided by the athletes themselves, offering genuine insight into the rigorous routines required for professional sports. You will view world class gymnastics arenas, massive swimming pools, and high tech recovery zones. It concludes with an interactive area where you can test your own athletic abilities.

Situated inside the oldest public building in the territory, a former industrial powerhouse, this facility is dedicated entirely to contemporary glass art. Visitors can safely watch artists working with molten glass in the roaring hot shop from viewing galleries. The contrast between the heavy, dark brick industrial architecture and the delicate, luminous glass pieces is spectacular. You can even book a short session to blow your own glass paperweight.

This is the epicenter of the city's independent retail and coffee culture. The street is packed with stores selling bespoke local fashion, handmade homewares, and specialized outdoor gear. Between browsing, you can stop at highly rated artisan bakeries and experimental microbreweries. It perfectly showcases the modern, creative, and entrepreneurial side of the local community.

Holding the largest permanent display of prehistoric fossil material in the country, this museum is a massive draw for families. The exhibits chart the evolution of life through incredible full skeletons, animatronic dinosaurs, and massive fossilized skulls. The outdoor garden features towering dinosaur models that are visible from the highway. It provides an excellent educational experience delivered in a highly entertaining format.

Located in a stunning art deco building that previously housed the Institute of Anatomy, this archive celebrates the audiovisual history of the nation. It features brilliant interactive exhibits covering classic cinema, historic radio broadcasts, and early television. Visitors can explore the evolution of Australian pop culture through rare vintage recordings and original costumes. The building itself, with its striking interior courtyard, is well worth the visit.

A small but highly engaging sanctuary dedicated entirely to the remarkable cold blooded creatures of the continent. You can safely observe highly venomous snakes, massive pythons, and colourful lizards native to the local bushland. The passionate staff frequently bring animals out for interactive handling sessions, providing an excellent educational experience. It is a fantastic way to learn about the unique and often misunderstood wildlife of the region.

An incredibly charming outdoor exhibition featuring meticulously crafted miniature buildings set within beautifully maintained gardens. You will find tiny replicas of traditional English villages, complete with moving miniature trains, alongside models of famous international landmarks. The attention to detail in both the tiny architecture and the surrounding horticulture is phenomenal. It provides a surprisingly delightful and whimsical escape from the grand monuments of the city.

Perched high in the mountains, this is the premier astronomical research facility in the country. The site holds incredible history, having been severely damaged in the 2003 bushfires, with the burnt out shells of old telescope domes left as poignant memorials. The partially rebuilt facility now hosts regular public stargazing nights and astronomy talks. The panoramic views of the dark valleys below make it a visually stunning location day or night.