Top Tourist Attractions in Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory is a great tourist destination in the country which offers an abundance of attractions and things to do. Canberra is the only and the most populous city which comes under the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Due to the huge range of attractions, it is not possible to explore all the sights in one trip. So, we have included the most popular places in this list which you must visit on your journey to the Australian Capital Territory.
Australian War Memorial:
Australian War Memorial is one of the greatest museums in Australia but also in the world. This museum is dedicated to members of the armed forces who gave their services and sacrificed their lives in wartime. The museum has four different sections: the ANZAC Parade, a Memorial Building, a commemorative area and a sculpture garden. Australian War Memorial is the best place to hear the history of the ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps).
Useful Information:
The Australian War Memorial is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm. The admission to the memorial is free.
Parliament House, Canberra
Although the architecture of the new Parliament House building is not as impressive as that of the former parliament but it is one of the most important buildings in Australia. More than one billion dollars were spent on the construction of this new building which can be explored in a guided tour. In the guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see both, the House of Representatives chambers and the Senate. You can also learn about the political history of Australia and view numerous historical documents. It is an attraction which you should not miss.
Useful Information:
The Australian Parliament is can be visited on any day of the year except Christmas. It can be visited between 9 am to 6 pm. Various exhibitions are also held here from time to time.
National Gallery of Australia
The National Library of Australia is one of the most visited attractions in Canberra. It was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982. This building was created to appreciate the artwork of the famous painter of early twentieth century, Tom Roberts. This art gallery is divided into three sections: at the ground level, you can admire the international and aboriginal artwork, the first floor contains the Asian artwork and sculptures, and the last floor houses the contemporary Australian artwork. Today, the National Gallery of Australia contains more than 120,000 pieces of artwork. It is a must visit for the art lovers.
Useful Information:
Admission to the gallery is free of cost and it can be visited on any day of the year except Christmas. The gallery opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm. Various facilities are also available for the visitors with special needs; these facilities include wheelchairs, toilets, audio loop, sign-interpreted lectures and Braille guide to the Gallery.
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Located in Canberra, the Australian National Botanic Gardens is a must-visit attraction for all the nature lovers. Unlike other botanical gardens, it contains not only exotic plants but it also houses a huge range of native plants. This is a place where you can see the largest collection of Australia’s native plants which can be found in the different parts of the country. This botanical garden not only entertain visitors but also used for research work. It also protects various species of plants and flowers which are endangered in the wild. It is a perfect place for a picnic where you can enjoy with your family or friends. Various concerts and exhibitions are also held here throughout the year.
Useful Information:
The Australian National Botanic Gardens remains open all year round except Christmas. It can be visited between 8:30 am and 5 pm. The visitor center is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Entry to the park is free of cost.
Other popular places of interest in Australian Capital Territory includes National Portrait Gallery, National Zoo & Aquarium, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and many others.
