Cockington Green Gardens, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Things to do in Canberra with kids
Canberra abounds with kid-friendly parklands, nature reserves and national attractions that include tailor-made spaces for youngsters.
By Jennifer Pinkerton
If your kids love to run amok outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. Ask Canberra parents what they love about their city and chances are you’ll hear them say, “It’s a great place for kids” – the lengthy list of open-air activities on offer has a lot to do with the reason why. And while nature play options are rife, the city's suite of national buildings offers equally enticing child-focused experiences.
Go to the Carillon Precinct
National Carillon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Chris Holly, VisitCanberra
Where: Aspen Island, Parkes
The National Carillon is a musical tower that sits atop Aspen Island beside Lake Burley Griffin. On an instrument similar to an organ, Canberra’s carillonists perform 50-minute recitals throughout the week. The Island is a top spot for a lunchtime picnic with kids. Just as idyllic is Boundless, the playground that lies across from the Carillon’s footbridge. This clever park, designed to mark the Centenary of Canberra, is the city's first all-abilities playground. It hosts free activities on the first Friday and third Sunday of every month.
Visit the Questacon science museum
Questacon, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Where: King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Kids of all ages go nuts over Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, as evidenced by the queues that snake outside the building's doors during school holidays. Over four levels, children can free-fall down a six metre (20 foot) slide, experience the shake of an earthquake, freeze their own shadows and send neon scarves coursing through a web of vacuum tunnels. Younger kids are catered for via Mini Q, a zone for 0-6 year olds: it's equipped with a water play station, a child-sized model bakery and shop, a crawl and slide space and a simulated space ship.
Be delighted by Cockington Green Gardens
Cockington Green Garden, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Where: 11 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls
Stroll the beautifully landscaped gardens of the unique and delightful Cockington Green Gardens. Children will be mesmerised by the display of meticulously handcrafted miniature buildings from around the world. The Original Display is modelled after the UK town of Cockington, while the International Display features landmark buildings from all around the world. Older kids will love looking out for the silly subtleties that can be found in the main display, such as Star Wars characters and the man reading a newspaper on the toilet. Other highlights include taking a ride on the miniature steam train and exploring the 34 room dolls house.
Fuel up with a burger high tea
Burger High Tea, Beef & Barley, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © Beef & Barley
Where: Kingston Foreshore and Eyre St, Kingston
Stop at Beef & Barley to refuel with the Kingston Foreshore as your backdrop. Their Burger High Tea is stacked with kid favourites, including chicken bites, pork and beef sliders, beer battered chips and an assortment of sweet treats. Adults can enjoy a beer or glass of bubbly as they take in the water views at this scenic family-friendly restaurant.
Go wild at the National Dinosaur Museum
National Dinosaur Museum, Gold Creek Village, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Where: 6 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls
With Australia's largest permanent display of dinosaur and prehistoric fossil material, The National Dinosaur Museum will enthrall any little one with a passion for mighty beasts. The interactive museum houses life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, and robotic dinosaurs. Start your visit with a stroll through the giant dinosaur models on the grounds outside to feel like you're walking through a real Jurassic Park.
Find snow in Corin Forest
Corin Forest Mountain Resort, Australian Capital Territory © Visit Canberra
Top tip
Future astronauts will love a visit to the Canberra Space Centre (a 20-minute drive from Corin Forest) where visitors can learn about Australia's role in space exploration.
Where: 45 minutes from Canberra city centre, in the Tidbinbilla Mountain Ranges
Corin Forest is a year-round alpine escape that offers Canberra's only snow experience in winter as well as exciting outdoor adventures in summer. Beginners can learn to ski or snowboard and families can engage in snow play activities like tobogganing, snowmen and snowball fights. When the snow melts, the area is still an excellent destination for getting outdoors. There are BBQ and picnic facilities and you can visit nearby Square Rock and Gibraltar Falls. Don't miss a ride on the exhilarating Alpine Slide that descends 1.2 kilometres (three-quarters of a mile) through the forest.
Explore Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Where: 50 kilometres (31 miles) south-west of the city
To see wildlife in its natural habitat – with an accompanying game of hide-and-seek – visit Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. Tidbinbilla is thought to mean "where boys become men" in local Aboriginal language, a reference to initiation ceremonies. A large valley floor stretches before you framed by Tidbinbilla Mountain and the Gibraltar Range. Punctuated with giant circular boulders, the latter is especially picturesque. At The Sanctuary, platypus peek above the water’s surface, kangaroos hop through bushland, cockatoos screech overhead and koalas can often be spotted in the treetops, while water birds and frogs can be heard calling along the gentle walking paths.
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Enjoy the Pod Playground at the Arboretum
Where: Forest Dr, Molonglo Valley
At the National Arboretum's Pod Playground, sculpted acorn cubbies reach into the sky, hoisted up by silver steps. Kids can run across a musical bridge and tap notes out with each step, and toddlers can play inside tall, sand-filled Banksia (native Australian flora) cones. This is the best-looking playground in the city and to top off its pulling power, there’s a café at the Village Centre for weary parents. Inside the Centre, you’ll also find the National Bonsai Collection and The Curatoreum, with a section dedicated to creative kids’ gifts.
Have fun at Yarralumla Play Station
Yarralumla Play Station, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory © VisitCanberra
Where: 9 Pescott Ln, Yarralumla
Home to a plethora of foreign embassies as well as Australia’s Governor-General, the suburb of Yarralumla includes Weston Park with two playground areas, two cafés and the ticketed entertainment facility of Yarralumla Play Station. Cruise in from the city via scenic Alexandrina Drive, pass a mob of lazy kangaroos who call Weston Park home and make your first stop at the Play Station. Here, you'll find a petting zoo, miniature train rides and mini golf. Next, recharge with a meal under the trees at the child-friendly Yarralumla Gallery and the Oaks Brasserie. Burn off any excess energy by exploring the network of oak trees and ponds beside the lake foreshore, with views over Black Mountain and beyond.
