Top Canberra Hotels by Neighbourhood

Looking for accommodation in Canberra? Start by figuring out which of the city’s unique neighbourhoods suits you

Canberra accommodation is plentiful, whether you’re heading in with an RV and want a relaxing caravan park experience or the home-away-from-home feel of a great Airbnb. Still, a luxurious stay is hard to go past – but with so many modern hotels, how will you choose?

Instead of perusing long lists, consider the neighbourhood that suits your trip. Want proximity to the Parliamentary Zone? Barton is your best bet. Keen to get out and experience some of Canberra’s best restaurants? You can’t go past Braddon.

Below, find our guide to Canberra’s best neighbourhoods – and the top hotels worth considering.

In short

Ovolo Nishi ticks all the boxes for us – style, ambience, an on-site restaurant that tops ‘best of’ lists regularly and proximity to all the important attractions.

Canberra City
Braddon
Barton and Parkes
Kingston

Canberra City

With City Hill at its centre and a host of excellent restaurants and museums at your doorstep, a stay in central Canberra is often the most convenient choice.

Ovolo Nishi

Best for: Special occasions

Ovolo Nishi is one of the most stylish Canberra hotels with moody, creative interiors focusing on art and design. The mini bar snacks and drinks are free, one of Canberra’s best fine dining restaurants, Monster, is just downstairs, and you’re within walking distance to shopping and several attractions such as the National Film and Sound Archive.

Address: 25 Edinburgh Ave, Canberra, ACT

A By Adina

Best for: Business

A newer addition to Canberra’s accommodation offerings, A By Adina brings together the best of serviced apartment ease and hotel luxury. Rooms feature kitchenettes and ample space for working (or lounging); the downstairs cafe ARC has some of the best coffee you’ll find in the city, and you’re close to popular Canberra restaurants like Such and Such, as well as walking distance from Lake Burley Griffin and the excitement of Floriade during spring.

Address: 1 Constitution Ave, Canberra, ACT

QT Canberra

Best for: Friend getaways

QT’s quirkiness comes through in its Canberra offering – the hotel is focused on fun, making it a great choice for weekends away to explore the city and its nightlife. Rooms are quiet and spacious, with Tom Dixon amenities and Chromecast TVs.

Plus, you’re in the heart of Canberra, just a short drive from all the top attractions.

Address: 1 London Cct, Canberra, ACT

Crowne Plaza

Best for: Solo travel

Looking for a relaxing Canberra stay? The Crowne Plaza is next to Glebe Park, on the quieter side of the CBD.

You’re still close to the restaurant and cafe scene, as well as most attractions – but have the option of scenic park views outside your hotel window.

Address: 1 Binara St, Canberra, ACT

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Braddon

Easily the coolest precinct in Canberra, Braddon is a hive of activity. Expect exceptional coffee everywhere you turn, unique dining experiences and a young, vibrant atmosphere.

Midnight Hotel

Best for: Romance

Part of the Autograph Hotel collection, Midnight is about elevated style in the heart of Canberra’s fashion, food and design hub of Braddon.

Designed by Australian architects Fender Katsalidis, rooms feature walk-in rain showers, black and gold interiors and custom artwork.

Address: 1 Elouera St, Braddon, ACT

Rex Hotel

Best for: A weekender

A landmark in Canberra since the 1950s, when it was built as a luxury hotel catering to royalty and foreign dignitaries, the Rex Hotel still stands strong today.

Rooms are now a little more contemporary, with signature Rex ‘Cloud’ beds and minimalist interiors, plus luxury rooms with balconies. Walk out the door, and you’ll be greeted with the bustling Braddon cafe and restaurant scene.

Address: 150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon, ACT

Avenue Hotel

Best for: Groups

Perfectly placed on the corner of Cooyong Street, Avenue Hotel has various accommodation options, from king rooms to two-bedroom apartments for group travel. There is free wi-fi, an on-site gym and 24-hour room service, plus every room has a private balcony you can enjoy your morning coffee from.

Address: 80 Northbourne Ave, Braddon, ACT

Deco Hotel

Best for: Those without a car

Named the Deco Hotel due to its aesthetic nod to the Art Deco period, this Canberra accommodation option has plenty of choices that will suit your trip, from luxurious suites to one and two-bedroom apartments for those needing longer stays. The Canberra Light Rail is just steps from your door, too, so getting around is easy.

Address: 214 Northbourne Ave, Braddon, ACT

Barton and Parkes

History buffs will thrive in Barton and Parkes, where the Parliamentary Zone is found and many of Canberra’s most famous museums, such as the National Portrait Gallery and Old Parliament House. Plus, these precincts are seeing real growth in the foodie scene, with plenty of cosy restaurants and wine bars to enjoy.

Little National Hotel

Best for: Romance

The Little National Hotel group makes some of the most elegant boutique accommodations in Australia. Its Canberra iteration is both luxurious and well-placed in Barton, near the Parliamentary Zone.

Expect super king beds, Apelles Apothecary amenities and a huge feature window wall to wake up to.

Address: 21 National Cct, Barton, ACT

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Rydges Hotel

Best for: Business

A classic Canberra hotel that’s accommodated both politicians and tourists in its time, Rydges Hotel  is situated close to Parliament House while also being near Manuka with its cafes and boutique shopping. There is an on-site swimming pool and gymnasium, plus a restaurant and bar.

Address: 17 Canberra Ave, Barton, ACT

Hotel Realm

Best for: A weekender

Part of the luxurious Doma Group, Hotel Realm prides itself on five-star service and premium accommodations. Custom king beds, Nespresso coffee machines and, in some rooms, gas fireplaces make Realm the place to stay if you want a relaxing retreat near the Parliamentary Zone.

Address: 18 National Cct, Barton, ACT

Hotel Kurrajong

Best for: History buffs

History buffs will adore Hotel Kurrajong, which was originally built in 1926 and has been lovingly restored to honour its Art Deco design. Upgraded with modern amenities and cloud-like beds, suites are spacious and cosy. Choose one of the Heritage rooms for the full historic experience, as these are located in the hotel’s original wing from the 1920s.

Address: 8 National Cct, Barton, ACT

Kingston

Situated on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin, Kingston is a beautiful precinct filled with heritage architecture and a quieter ambience for those seeking a relaxing haven after busy days of activity.

East Hotel

Best for: Families

The Italian heritage of East Hotel’s founders comes through as soon as you walk in the door – enjoy authentic Italian fare at Agostinis Italian restaurant after aperitivo hour at Joe’s bar, then return to your king bed studio room.

Those with kids will love the Kids Cubby rooms, which feature bunk beds and an Xbox One for maximum entertainment.

Address: 69 Canberra Ave, Kingston, ACT

Abode

Best for: Travelling with pets

Abode Group is known for self-contained accommodation that feels equal parts homely and stylish, and their Kingston property is perfectly located in the heart of Canberra’s inner south. Each room has everything you need – a washer/dryer, kitchenette, TV casting options and ample space. There are even pet-friendly rooms for a fee.

Address: 14 Kennedy St, Kingston, ACT

Switch the hustle and bustle for a weekend of birdsong and greenery on the border.

Straddling the Murray River where New South Wales meets Victoria, Albury Wodonga is just hours by car or train (or even a quick flight) from many major cities, but it feels a million miles away from the everyday.

Here, you’ll find a blend of relaxed country lifestyle and modern city amenities, where a booming culinary scene and vibrant arts offerings meet a rich Indigenous history and stunning natural vistas. Spend time amongst river red gums, wildlife-filled wetlands and winding waterways.

Ready to roll on the river? Here’s where to begin.

1. Birdwatch in Wonga Wetlands

The scenic Wonga Wetlands along the Wagirra Trail and Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, West Albury. — Walk along Wonga Wetlands, looking for local birdlife. (Credit: Destination NSW)

It might be close to Albury’s CBD, but Wonga Wetlands feels a watery world away. This former grazing land has been restored to 80 hectares of lagoons, billabongs and river red gums, and you can now wander three kilometres of walking trails as you spot cormorants, spoonbills, egrets and sacred kingfishers. More than 170 bird species call the wetlands home, thanks to the Murray’s cycle of flooding and drying, so pack a picnic, settle in at a bird hide, and pull out those binoculars.

2. Explore the Murray River

picnicers in Noreuil Park albury wodonga nature autumn — Take a picnic to enjoy in Noreuil Park. (Credit: Destination NSW)

The Murray River runs between Albury and Wodonga, where locals swap desks and deadlines for shaded riverbanks. Less than a kilometre from Albury’s CBD sits Noreuil Park, the city’s favourite stretch of riverfront. Cool off on the famous loop float, hire a kayak, launch a stand-up paddleboard or cast a line.

Afterwards, chuck a rug on the lawn under a plane tree, fire up one of the free barbecues and watch the water as you munch on some Murray cod.

3. Take a sculpture walk

Albury Wodonga Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk — See the art along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk.

Albury Wodonga’s three sculpture trails showcase the Murray through First Nations tales on foot or by bike. Along the Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk, 15 contemporary Aboriginal artworks celebrate kinship and Country. The Crossing Place Trail passes the Wodonga Scar Tree, where local Indigenous people once harvested bark to craft canoes, and the Gateway Island trail tells you how the Murray sustained First Nations people for millennia.

4. Get moving on local tracks and trails

bike rider on albury wodonga nature trails — Take your bike to Hunchback Mountain Bike Park.

More than 100 kilometres of trails cross Albury Wodonga’s hills, reserves and riverbanks. Mountain bikers can tackle the championship-calibre descents of Nail Can Hill, weaving through eucalyptus forest where the rare crimson spider orchid blooms, or hone their skills at Hunchback Mountain Bike Park‘s 29 graded trails.

Keen to explore on foot? Huon Hill makes the sore legs worth it, with lookouts across Lake Hume and the Kiewa Valley, while McFarlanes Hill meanders through stringybark woodland and rocky outcrops.

For a slower pace, the 44-kilometre High Country Rail Trail hugs the shores of Lake Hume, crossing the red-pillared Sandy Creek Bridge before rolling into Tallangatta.

5. Check into restorative stays

Couple standing outside the retro inspired Astor Hotel Motel in Albury — Check into one of Albury Wodonga’s over 60 accommodation options. (Credit: Destination NSW)

Some moments call for a boutique hotel. Others call for backing the caravan up beside the lake. Whether you’ve spent the day splashing in the Murray, furiously clocking kilometres on the bike trails or entertaining kids in playgrounds at the water’s edge, there’s somewhere to lay your head.

From motels shaded by river red gums to lakeside holiday parks and boutique hotels, Albury Wodonga’s 60-plus accommodation options mean you’re never far from a morning walk along the Murray or dinner on Dean Street. But be warned: book ahead. You might not be the only one craving a weekend by the Murray, especially in the school holidays.

6. Enjoy delicious dining options

yardbird restaurant — Enjoy incredible meals in Albury Wodonga.

Every paddle, bushwalk and bike trail deserves a proper meal afterwards. Once you’ve swapped out your damp swimmers or your dusty trainers and start to sniff out a feed, you’ll quickly discover you’re surrounded by one of Australia’s richest agricultural regions.

Unsurprisingly, Albury Wodonga’s dining scene is all about that Riverina produce. We’re talking Murray cod (of course) but also premium local beef from the valleys, olive oil from nearby groves, cool-climate wines and European-style cheeses.

The restaurants, wine bars and breweries around Dean Street and Junction Square are all within easy reach, serving everything from modern Australian and Mediterranean to Thai, Vietnamese, Italian and classic wood-fired steakhouse fare. Looking for a riverside brunch? A comforting bowl of dumplings on a winter evening? Or up the ante with the vibrant flavours of Europe? Whatever the craving, there’s a table waiting.

7. Get out on Lake Hume

lake hume at sunset in albury wodonga nature — Be sure to stay for a Lake Hume sunset.

When you’re ready to dial up the solitude, trade the river for a veritable inland sea: Lake Hume. Just 15 minutes from Albury and Wodonga, it’s one of Australia’s largest water storage reservoirs. In other words, there’s plenty of space to swim, paddle and stake out a patch of shoreline all to yourself.

Take the long way through Riverina farmland, stopping at the dam wall to appreciate just how enormous Lake Hume is. Cast a line for Murray cod, rainbow trout, golden perch or redfin and unpack a bag of bakery treats beneath the trees before launching a kayak into the vastness.

Afterwards, stop by the Bonegilla Migrant Experience, where the remaining accommodation blocks tell the stories of more than 320,000 post-war migrants who passed through between 1947 and 1971. Give yourself time to walk through the preserved camp, stopping to digest the photographs, personal stories and artworks that reveal what it meant for residents to begin a new life at the edge of the world.

Even if you’re exhausted, stay until twilight. The sunset is about to put on a hell of a leaving show for you.

Start planning your escape into nature at visitalburywodonga.com.

The best Canberra hotels by neighbourhood

Looking for accommodation in Canberra? Start by figuring out which of the city’s unique neighbourhoods suits you

In short