The best of Canberra in just 12 hours

There’s more to Canberra than just Parliament House and the National Gallery. 

This ultimate Canberra itinerary is an insider’s guide to the best of the nation’s capital.

Discover the best of the city’s food and drink, arts and outdoors. And all in just 12 hours.

7:30am – Breakfast with hipsters

Head to Braddon for great coffee and breakfast at the birthplace of Canberra’s hipster revival. Bakery Autolyse is always a good option, or go for something healthier at Eighty/Twenty. Check out the boutique stores along Lonsdale St and in the Ori Building.

Autolyse: 21 Lonsdale St, Braddon
Eighty/Twenty: 1/18 Lonsdale St, Braddon

9:30am – NewActon

Continue on the hipster trail with a stopover in NewActon. Grab a coffee from Mocan & Green Grout and wander among NewActon’s outdoor sculptures. See the latest contemporary art at Nishi Gallery and make sure you see that amazing staircase at Hotel Hotel.

Mocan & Green Grout: 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, NewActon
Nishi Gallery: 17, Kendall Lane, NewActon
Hotel Hotel: 25 Edinburgh Avenue, NewActon

Nishi Gallery is a must when showing off Canberra.

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11:00am – The Parliamentary Triangle

An oldie but a goodie. Take a drive down King Edward Terrace to experience the full force of the Parliamentary Triangle.

A drive-by means out-of-town visitors can see the impressive architecture of the Australia’s institutions without the need to visit every venue.

Pick just one to visit, or warm up watching glassblowing in action at the Canberra Glassworks. If you’re with a foodie, duck over to Manuka for a world famous Freakshake from Pâtissez.

Canberra Glassworks: 11 Wentworth Ave Kingston
Pâtissez: 21 Bougainville St, Manuka

The coffee at Mocan & Green Grout is among Canberra’s best.

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12:30pm – Lunch at Pialligo

Stop in for lunch at Pialligo Estate’s Garden Pavilions. It’s impossible not to be impressed by the stunning rural setting, not to mention the restaurant’s locally sourced food and wine.

Pick up some of Pialligo’s award-winning bacon (best bacon in Australia, don’t forget!) for a take-home care package. On your way out of Pialligo, check out the beautiful handmade ceramics and glass at Bisonhome.

Pialligo Estate: 18 Kallaroo Rd, Pialligo
Bisonhome: 6/8 Beltana Rd, Pialligo

Hand made homewares at Bisonhome.

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2:30pm – National Arboretum

Time to work off that lunch with some fresh air at the National Arboretum, which boasts better views and a far more serene atmosphere than the old Telstra Tower. Canberra is the bush capital after all so spend a bit of time among the trees.

National Arboretum: Forest Drive, off Tuggeranong Parkway, Weston Creek

4:00pm – Cocktail hour

Bar hop from the cosy and slightly sultry mood of Bar Rochford to the bright and breezy Highball Express for a Cuban-inspired cocktail.

Bar Rochford: Melbourne Building, Level 1, 65 London Circuit, Canberra City
Highball Express: Melbourne Building, Level 1, 82 Alinga Street, Canberra City

Finish the day with kingfish sashimi at AKIBA.

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6:00pm – Dinner at AKIBA

Consistently voted among Canberra’s top restaurants, AKIBA features a striking fit-out, electric atmosphere (maybe because of the lightning motifs throughout), and has dishes that are Canberra favourites.

Must-trys include the kingfish sashimi and delicious baos.

AKIBA: 40 Bunda St, Canberra City

8.30pm – Finish with a monkey

Finish the day by taking the staircase up to Hippo Bar for a Brass Monkey – the perfect fusion of pineapple juice, coco syrup and blanco rum.

Hippo Co: Garema Place, Canberra City