Follow the Anzac Parade to the Australian War Memorial which contains one of the country’s most prestigious museums. Multimedia exhibits tell the story of Australia’s entire military history, in what is known as one of the top military museums in the world. Admission to the War Memorial and Museum is free.

The innovative National Museum of Australia features interactive exhibits organized by concept. The National Museum is sometimes seen as controversial for its depiction of European settlement, and the modern “melting pot” culture. The eccentric Museum building is located on Acton Peninsula, and admission is free to all but some special exhibits.

The Old Parliament House, once the centre of Australian government, is today home to the Museum of Australian Democracy. Visit the Museum collections, and visit the formerly functional rooms such as the Prime Minister’s office, and the Cabinet Room. Tours last approximately 45 minutes, and there is a small admission fee.

One of the largest galleries in Australia, the National Gallery of Australia holds everything from international contemporary art, to an impressive collection of Aboriginal art. Free, one-hour tours are available.

Nearby, the National Portrait Gallery tells the story of Australia through images and stories of its most influential individuals. Exhibits are chronologically displayed. Admission is free to all but special exhibits.

At Questacon- The National Science and Technology Centre, see more than 200 science and technology exhibits. Highlights include the Awesome Earth exhibit, the Sideshow science of the circus exhibit, and more. Special events are held regularly, and there is a charge for admission at Questacon.

Located at Regatta Point in Commonwealth Park, the National Capital Exhibition features a wealth of information about Canberra in interactive displays. Regatta Point is also famous for its views of the Parliamentary Triangle across the Lake. Admission is free and ‘self-guides’ are available.

For even more Canberra museums try attractions like the Parliament House of Australia, the Canberra Museum and Gallery, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the National Library of Australia, and the National Film and Sound Archive. So if you would like to spend a few days exploring some of this great attractions book your Canberra accommodation through bookitnow.com.au

Parliment House in Canberra, ACT

Although Canberra is the nation’s capital, the city often plays second fiddle to Sydney in terms of visitor numbers though this really needn’t be the case. Canberra is a lovely city and the perfect place to bring the children for a short break.

There are many interesting attractions in Canberra which we found were suitable for the whole family. Canberra can be fun yet educational, so in terms of bringing the kids along they should easily be kept occupied whilst being submerged in culture at the same time – sounds great!

So what can you and your kids get your teeth stuck into in Canberra?

Well, being the nation’s capital it’s no surprise that there are many attractions which are of national significance. The National Museum of Australia is an excellent place to start as it’s here that you can discover more about the history and cultures of Australia, and view the huge and important National Historic Collection which includes a large selection of Aboriginal items.

The Australian War Memorial may not sound all that appealing to children, but as well as being a memorial, the site also houses one of Australia’s best museums which takes visitors on a journey through the military history of Australia.

The kids are bound to enjoy Questacon The National Science and Technology Centre as this has many hands-on exhibits which will keep children amused, including life-like earthquakes and erupting volcanoes which are also bound to grab the adults attention too!

How about seeing Canberra from up high? Unless you’re afraid of heights, the whole family will love a visit to Telstra Tower which is short distance outside the city centre. Telstra Tower is a communications tower though visitors can ride the elevator to the top for a 360 degree view of Canberra and the surrounding countryside. You may also enjoy a family meal in the revolving restaurant – the children will certainly enjoy the novelty and the food is good too!

Canberra has a number of events and festivals throughout the year and if you can plan your visit for February you could coincide with the Canberra Show. This is a great family event which includes amusement rides, agricultural competitions, shows and more. If you’ve ever been to the Sydney Royal Easter Show the Canberra Show is similar but doesn’t suffer from quite as many crowds, making this a slightly more pleasurable experience!

As well as the above there are many other attractions for you and the children to enjoy on a short break in Canberra. Some of the other highlights you might like to try include the Royal Australian Mint – another popular attraction with children; the National Gallery of Australia – one of the country’s largest art galleries which features various works of art including sculptures and paintings; the Australian Institute of Sport – which is bound to be a hit with sports lovers; and the Old Parliament House – which was used as the parliament buildings from the 1920’s until 1988.

There’s certainly plenty to see and do in Canberra for both adults and children, and with an excellent range of hotels in Canberra in all price ranges there’s something to suit all budgets here too.

‘Short Breaks for the Family in Canberra’ by Claire Bolgil