The perfect Canberra itinerary for families

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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Canberra has long been a beacon for families and, these days, there are more and more reasons than ever to visit the compact national capital.

Day one

Morning

Drift above the skies of the nation’s capital with Balloon Aloft and you will see the city laid out before you, with the Brindabella Range swathed in fog during winter. You’ll also see the wheel-and-spoke street plan laid out by architect and city planner Walter Burley Griffin and the grand buildings dotted around the lake named after the famed American. The flight (suitable for children aged seven and over) will be followed by a breakfast (with bubbles for adults) at the Hyatt’s Promenade Café where each family member will receive a commemorative flight certificate.

Balloon rides in Canberra
Take a morning hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. (HCreations Photography For Visit Canberra)

Midday

After the excitement of dawn, make the most of a day of dazzling Canberra sunshine by visiting Mt Majura where you can learn firsthand about the First People’s connection with the land. A two-hour Dhawura Tour includes an Indigenous interpretation of the landscape with a member of the Nugunawal people. Discover insights into the cultural significance of scar trees, where bark was removed to make canoes, shelters and coolamons (water carriers), as well as the native habitat, specifically bush foods and medicines and their traditional uses.

Evening

The National Dinosaur Museum offers after-hours tours during school holidays that shine a light on reptiles of the Mesozoic era. Various one-hour torch-lit tours (scheduled to start at 5.30pm and 6.30pm) guide visitors past dino dioramas and into darkened galleries to see gargantuan fossil replicas in exhibitions that bring the ancient predators to life. Although there is a minimum age requirement of eight, the program includes tours aimed at children aged four to 10, which often include workshops to make fossil replicas. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Day two

Morning

Strike a balance between ‘what the kids want to do’ and ‘what the adults want to do’ and meet in the middle for a visit to the Australian National Botanic Gardens , a stone’s throw from Canberra’s CBD. The gardens, which open from 8.30am, support a living collection of some 70,000 plants, and have been designed as a place for discovery and play with themed collections dotted around the 40-hectare property. Children can look for water dragons in the Tasmanian Garden Ponds, connect the dots between activity stations along the Children’s Discovery Trail and visit the two-storey Treehouse in the paperbark garden. Refuel on waffles at the popular Pollen Café .

Pollen Cafe, Canberra
Pop in for a feed at the Pollen Café in Canberra.

Midday

You don’t need to be an experienced equestrian to join Burnelee Excursions On Horseback for a one-hour ride near Murrumbateman, just over 30 minutes’ drive from Canberra’s CBD. The property has miles and miles of bushland for lessons and trail rides suitable for families with children aged eight and over. Clip-clop through the rolling countryside on Billie the Brumby and maybe even learn to canter across open paddocks on your Bush Experience, where you will likely encounter local wildlife such as kangaroos, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles and wallabies. Visit nearby Robyn Rowe Chocolates for hot chocolates all round.

Burnelee Excursions, Canberra
For something a little different, go for a family horse ride with Burnelee Excursions.

Evening

Check out the National Zoo & Aquarium before checking into your accommodation at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in order to maximise the amount of time you get to spend in your suite, which will offer its own unique wildlife experience. Stay in one of the Jungle Bungalows , where lions, tigers and cheetahs prowl outside your big picture window, or in the Giraffe Treehouses within the enclosure that houses the African mammals. Guests at Jamala Wildlife Lodge also receive exclusive access to the zoo on the day of their departure.

National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
Spend a family fun day at the National Zoo and Acquarium in Canberra.

Day three

Morning

Dedicate most of the morning to bouncing between Canberra’s main cultural attractions, all of which cater to families. The must-visits include: Questacon to see the whimsically arranged Clockwork Universe, which explores scientific theories of astronomy, and RoboQ, a mechanical humanoid; the CSIRO Discovery Centre (currently closed but due to reopen to the public for pre-booked visits during school holidays soon; check online for updates); and the Australian Institute Of Sport , where competitive families can channel their inner champion in the interactive Sportex exhibit (AIS Tours for the general public are suspended until 2022; check online for updates). Head to the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery Of Australia to create crazy reflections in Bert Flugelman’s iconic steel Cones and take in some history at Parliament House .

National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, ACT
Bert Flugelman’s Cones at the NGA.

Midday

Take to the waters of Lake Burley Griffin on a GoBoat . No boat license or experience is required to take the electric picnic boats for a loop around the lake, which on a fine day, mirrors the olive-green trees and blue of the sky. You can order a GoBoat Nibble + Nourish grazing platter to go, or pack your own picnic for a cruise up the Central Basin to Springbank Island, where you will find barbecue facilities and undercover seating. Score a shady spot for a siesta under the weeping willows, which hang like leafy green curtains over the lake.

Evening

Arrive at Nils Desperandum as its silhouette starts to sharpen against the fading backdrop of Tidbinbilla Range . No, this rustic rammed earth cottage does not have wi-fi. Nor does it have electricity. What it does have is a fire pit located under a vast sky that might just help families break their tech addiction. Visit in winter when the temperature slips overnight producing a magical thin film of frost that covers the grass, turning it silver.

Day four

Morning

Rise with the sun and you will likely see kangaroos, koalas, emus and the ever-elusive platypus around the gorgeous grounds of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve , 40 minutes from the city. The platypus are most active in August, when they are often spotted along the Sanctuary Loop . Take the 700-metre-long Koala Path to get to a grove of eucalypts where the arboreal marsupials reside high in the trees.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Canberra ACT
Take a sunrise trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve to spot some of Australia’s local creatures. (Visit Canberra)

Midday

The award-winning Pod Playground occupies prime real estate at the National Arboretum Canberra , offering panoramic views of the landscape stubbled with native grasses and plantings of more than 44,000 rare and significant trees. The acorn-themed playground, which opens at 7am, has climbing structures, slides, swings, giant acorn cubbies, and music-making instruments. Sign up for a kite-making workshop and float it high in the air from Dairy Farmers Hill. The nearby Children’s Garden also has a mix of active play spaces and areas designed for quiet contemplation.

The Pod Playground, Canberra
Head to the Pod Playground, located within the National Arboretum.

Evening

Watch the Giants play a game of Aussie Rules at Manuka Oval in winter before exploring the streets of Manuka, a neighbourhood crammed with restaurants and shops. Head to whimsical kids’ fashion store Wolfie , watch artists blow molten glass blobs into a desired shape at nearby Canberra Glassworks in Kingston and see what the fuss is about at local cult favourite Brodburger .

Brodburgers Canberra
Stop for a bite to eat at Brodurgers.

Neighbourhoods

Nicholls

Want to keep young minds occupied? Spend the day exploring Gold Creek Village in the suburb of Nicholls, which is dotted with family-friendly attractions: go to Cockington Green Gardens , Canberra Reptile Zoo , Canberra Walk-In Aviary and the National Dinosaur Museum .

Fyshwick

This once-scuzzy suburb has been spiffed up and is now home to designer op shops, artisan bakers, small-batch brewers and edgy markets. While thrill-seeking teens can test their skills at Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports , both little and big kids will enjoy magical Quizzic Alley , home to the largest collection of Harry Potter merch in Australia.

Kingston

Hire bicycles for your brood to tackle the nine-kilometre Eastern Loop of the Lake Burley Griffin Circuit before returning to Kingston, one of the oldest suburbs in Canberra. The artistic inner-south hub is centred around some of Canberra’s historic buildings such as the Kingston Powerhouse and Former Transport Depot and less than 10 minutes from the city centre.

Lake Burley Griffin Canberra
Go for a family cycle around Lake Burley Griffin.

Getting from A to B

Canberra’s light rail network runs from the northern suburb of Gungahlin and into the CBD.

 

Transport Canberra also operates the public bus network, a convenient and cost-effective way to get around the city.

 

Download a city cycling map from Visit Canberra for city riding routes that pinpoint the perfect pit stops. The lake is surrounded by cycle paths and offers picturesque routes for a family bike ride. Share A Bike offers multiple automated bike rental machines. Neuron and Beam scooters are also great for getting around the city precinct for families with children over the age of 12.

 

Read more family travel tips on the Ultimate parents’ guide to our amazing Aussie cities.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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What it’s really like to stay on the world’s largest sand island

    Kassia ByrnesBy Kassia Byrnes
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    Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

    The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort  with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

    But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

    Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

    Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

    Exploring K’gari

    ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island
    Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

    This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

    If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

    The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

    kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island
    Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

    If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

    While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

    The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

    Unwind at sunset

    two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort
    Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

    As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

    The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

    When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

    Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

    Indulge and disconnect

    woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa
    Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

    The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

    Getting there

    kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island
    The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

    Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.