Canberra, Australian Capital Territory — Attractions
Canberra Deep Space Center
The Canberra Space Center contains a collection of space memorabilia, models, theaters and interactive exhibits covering the last 40 years of space flight and exploration. Visitors can weigh themselves on the moon and see Mars in 3-D.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Address
- 421 Discovery Drive, Tourist Drive 5, Tidbinbilla
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6201 7880
- Email Address
- cdscc-prc@anbe.cdscc.nasa.gov
- Website
- www.cdscc.nasa.gov
- Hours
- Daily 9am to 5pm. Closed Christmas Day
- Admission
- Free
Michelago Tourist Railway
The Australian Railway Historical Society Inc operates regular Sunday steam train rides to Royalla on the first and third Sunday of each month, and on the second and fourth Sunday operates rail motor trains to Royalla. Ride the 'Spirit of Tuggeranong' or the 'Tin Hare Express' to Royalla, enjoy a picnic lunch and then hop back on for the return trip. Other trips available include evening railroad dinner and dancing trips. The trains operate from Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Road.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6284 2790
- Website
- www.arhsact.org.au
- Hours
- Office hours: 10am to 3pm (weekdays)
Australian National Botanic Gardens
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, sited on the slopes of Black Mountain, is the world's finest living collection of Australian native plants. Set among natural eucalypts, they provide an ideal setting to display the nation's unique and beautiful floral heritage. The variety of eco-systems in the Gardens encourages a host of birds. Other features include the Aboriginal Track, a Rock Garden, Rainforest Gully, the Mallee and the Tasmanian Garden.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Address
- Clunies Ross Street, Acton
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6250 9540
- Email Address
- anbg-info@anbg.gov.au
- Website
- www.anbg.gov.au/anbg
- Hours
- Daily 8.30am to 5pm (until 6pm weekdays and 8pm weekends in January)
National Zoo and Aquarium
View exotic and native animals, ocean and freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians. See leopards, lions, tigers, cougars, bears, monkeys, Tasmanian devils, sharks and Barrier Reef exhibits. Feed kangaroos and pat dingoes. The complex is beside Lake Burley Griffin, and large habitats provide ideal viewing for education and enjoyment.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Address
- Scrivener Dam, Yarralumla
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6287 8400
- Email Address
- info@nationalzoo.com.au
- Website
- www.zooquarium.com.au
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 5pm. Closed Christmas day
- Admission
- A$30(adults), A$18.50 (children 4-15 yrs); other concessions available
Cockington Green
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's landmark attractions. As well as the stunning miniature displays and breathtaking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze, several cafés, a barbecue, picnic and playground areas and a steam train ride that circles the grounds.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Address
- Gold Creek Village, 11 Gold Creek Road, Nicholls
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6230 2273
- Email Address
- info@cockingtongreen.com.au
- Website
- www.cockingtongreen.com.au
- Transport
- Action Bus Services 51 and 52 to Federation Square
- Hours
- Daily 9.30am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm)
- Admission
- A$16.50 (adults), A$9 (children 4-16 years); concessions available
National Gallery of Australia
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has the best collection of art in the country. The Australian collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to 20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem Land, pukumaniburial poles from the Tiwi people and printed fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land. The Memorial ,a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is dedicated to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives defending their country since European settlement. There's also plenty of foreign art from all eras, and many important international exhibitions are exhibited in Canberra on their way around the world. The collection is not confined to paintings; sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, furniture, ceramics, fashion, textiles and silverware are all on display.
- Region/City Name
- Canberra
- Address
- Parkes Place, Parkes
- Phone Number
- (0)2 6240 6411
- Email Address
- information@nga.gov.au
- Website
- www.nga.gov.au
- Hours
- Daily 10am to 5pm; closed Christmas day
- Admission
- There is no charge to view the permanent collection, but admission may be charged for special temporary exhibitions
