The kids (10 & 8) are learning about our government and I thought I would take them to Canberra and check out the capital, what is the cheapest way to visit and stay a couple of nights, and what would you go and see. thanks
What is the cheapest way to visit Canberra and what would you go and see?
hsk on 05/03/2013 - 23:07
Comments
Its a awesome place,
Much better than the scum of a place across the Lake / gardens,Spent half a day here , was really worth the time.
I loved Cockington Green - it's got lots of miniatures displays.
Questacon is also good for kids. Definitely lots of fun and educational. There's a combined activities pass for that + cockington green and the AIS - http://svc141.bookeasy.com/tours2/3-in-fun/?tourcode=23884
Some more deals here:
http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/Things-to-do-and-see/Tours/B…
I don't have advice on the cheapest way… but I do have some suggestions as to what to do.
War Memorial, definitely. If you have time, ANZAC Parade right outside of it also has many memorials on both sides.
Lake Burley Griffin, which is the body of water you see from the War Memorial. The Captain Cook Memorial is here too. The National Carillion is on it too. Also, if I'm not mistaken, there is a free theater that shows short films about the development of the Capital.
Telstra tower is a popular destination, but that is one I have no experience with.
Questacon is a big hit with the kids, but you'll have to cough up some dough.
The National Museum is fun.
The National Gallery is pretty cool too.
Parliament house and Old Parliament house are also nice to visit. Especially the pub at the Old parliament house. LOL.
Over in Deakin is the Royal Mint. I haven't been there so I don't know what's there, but I've heard people talk about it.
There is also the National Archives.
Gold Creek/Cockington Green gardens - Weekend markets and a definitely rustic and historic feel.
These are the only things that pop to mind at the moment. I'm sure the other folks would have lots of other stuff to add.
Lived there for 3 years when I was in the Army, been to all of the above. Cockington Green was OK with the kids when they were small, if you dont have little kids I'd give it a miss.
War memorial is good. There is also a war memorial annex in the northern suburbs of Canberra (Deakin I think??)open on weekends, it has loads of stuff they couldn't fit into the main museum, things like German ME262 fighter, V2 rockets etc. They used to open it on weekends not sure if they still do.
Old Parliament house is OK, you can get a guided tour etc. New parliament house is also interesting, get a guided tour and if you are there when parliament is sitting you can sometimes get to sit in the Gallery and see the action live!!
AIS out at Bruce (near Belconnen) used to do tours where you go along and see the training/facilites and get some insight into the training that goes on thre.
I think it is called Stromlo? There is an observatory near Canberra, short drive out of town where you can get information about the stars etc
Others mentioned above OK, Telstra tower I thought was pretty average. Just an observation deck really! Mint was OK, they used to have little machines where the kids could spend $2 to make their own $1 coin I think.
Questacon was great for the kids, not sure how much fun without the kids though.
Lake Burley Griffin has a Carillion that you can hear at certain times.
If you are there at the right time they have an enormous flower show called Floriade which is interesting if you are in any way into arranged flowers.
The mint too is worth a visit.
wow sounds like there is lots, but what is the cheapest way to do this stuff, and ideas, thanks
If you are from Sydney, driving to Canberra is the cheapest option.
For accommodation, have a look at www.stayz.com.au. You can find good holiday homes at decent prices.
Have a pleasant trip…..Thanks, I will check it out, hoping to find a bargain.
I found Rydges Eaglehawk has the cheapest hotel accomm in Canberra that is suitable for a family.
It is 10mins out of town. Join their rewards program (free) for discounts immediately, they also run promotions every month or so.
Countrylink have cheap rail fares, including free kids fares if you hunt, I think.
Best value we found to eat out was the Tradies Club at Dixon. Some of the bistro tables are in old tram cars, good for kids.
We saved some money on lunches by getting some rolls and things at the cake shop.
In terms of attractions, I agree Questacon and Cockington green are good. My daughter has been to the AIS and liked it. War memorial was my fave as a kid.
Drive up to Mt Black tower at night when it is lit up for a view over Canberra, I wouldn't bother paying to go up it.
National Library also has some great exhibits of famous documents - 17th century bibles, letters from historic people etc. that is free.Hi, hsk,
Took our 9 years old twins to Canberra for 4days/3nights in January. Stayed in Ibis Styles Canberra Narrabundah for 3 nights for $440.00 total with 2 queen beds in a room and daily buffet breakfast.
Took them for AIS tour, walking along Lake Burley Griffin after had dinner in Kingston (plenty eateries at Giles Street and Kennedy Street or go to next suburb of Manuka)
Been to National Museum of Australia, they participated Discovery Space school holiday program, loved Kspace, grabbed some postcards from museum and posted to their friends back in Sydney. (free. museum will post them for you). Had lunch in coffee shop there (they enjoyed so much as the coffee shop overlooks the lake)
Been to national gallery to watch Toulouse-Lautrec: Paris & the Moulin Rouge exhibition.
Been to Questacon twice, they loved all the shows.
Canberra Festival 2013 is on from 9 Mar 2013 - 17 Mar 2013, worth checking the Balloon Spectacular. It is at the lawns of Old Parliament House. I took my twins there 3 years ago and was one of the most memorable things in their little life. But you do need to get up very early and was cold but it is worth it.
Before you go, it worth to join Powerhouse Museum Household Membership, you can get into Questacon for free. Please check the link
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/84356We are in from Sydney, and drove to Canberra.
We have visited War Memorial, Parliament house before so we didn’t take them this time.
Hope it helps.
If you are looking for value join the museums Victoria for $70 a year family membership. This gives you reciprocal entry to questacon and the powerhouse for a year and many more ( if you are in sydney the Australian museum is a great place to take kids and this is included in the pass.) this is the cheapest reciprocal pass I could find when I was looking.
thanks I will check out the motel and Powerhouse museum membership sounds like you had a really nice time.
We stayed in both Rydges Eaglehawk and Ibis Styles Canberra Narrabundah. We prefer Ibis Styles. But it is just our opinion.
The National Film and Sound Archive is really good, especially if you have an interest in Australian film/tv. Its also free! http://www.nfsa.gov.au
The botanical gardens are fantastic.
Tidbinbilla is awesome, just a bit of a drive to get there.
Walking around Lake Gininderra is very pleasant and it has a great BBQ / play area for the kids too.
You had really very nice time. Thank you so much.
Dont go to Canberra its stupid boring place with roundabouts, pubes and bogan summernats type peple…… is what I would say if I had no idea what I am talking about!!!!
Canberra is great.
Mount Ainslie gives you a great view for free!
Tidbinbilla tracking station is great!
Walk around the lake from kings av to commonwealth.
Go to broadburger for a freakin awesome burger.
Go to mooseheads to pick up some 18 yr olds… lol wat?
+1 for the Tracking Station. No one mentions it and its great and really worth a visit
For food, DO NOT miss the kebabs at the Yarralumla Pide House at Yarralumla shops. Their kebabs are humongously loaded with meat as they also own the meat shop next door, and the place always seems to have a decent queue. The challenge will be to finish the kebab. For the kids, they'll even cut the kebab into halves. Whilst in Yarralumla, drive around the lake, drop by at Lennox Gardens, enjoy a stroll around the lake or catch some European carp even. All the embassies are there too. Drop in to the mosque there, the second oldest in Australia apparently. Wave to the red AFP (APS) cars you find patrolling the area. Albert Hall is pretty historic too.
When my children were younger (around 10 years ago) Canberra had a Tourist Passport that was a couple of dollars, but had a page for each major attraction, and the children could take them up to the Info Counter at each place and have their passports stamped. I think we picked ours up at the Carillon.
Visit:
War Memorial
Deep Space Communication Complex
Tidbinbilla Park
Parliament (if only for the sake of "walking" over the parliament and asserting your democratic beliefs)
National Film and Sound Archive (it's alright i guess? it's free… and they have - they had it a few weeks ago - the unique setup artwork combo with xbox360/kinect to interact with the song "Somebody that I used know"
Questacon sounds always sounds fun (haven't been yet)
Australian Institute of Sports (the tour isn't that great, but it's still quite an impressive to visit the facility knowing the very best of Australian Athletes train there)
High Court of Australia
Old Parliament (I think they even let you dress up as the Speaker - that or i'm confusing with something else?)
The usual places: National Gallery, National Library and anything "National" in its name
Telstra Tower (paid) or Mt Ainslie (free) for an overview of Canberra
If you have foreign ties, it may also be a good idea to visit the relevant embassy.Eat:
Brodburger (Glassworks)
Turkish Halal Pide House (Yarallumla)
Yeah well… everywhere else is otherwise better for food tbh…Do Not Visit:
Cockington Garden <—— waste of money from my experience… maybe i just had too much expectations? The dinosaur thing next too it looked more interesting/impressive but didn't actually visit that one.As for traveling to Canberra, various and fairly obvious options:
1) Flying (fastest and easiest)
2) Driving (could be a fun educational road trip)
3) Train (for the sights?)
4) Coach (Anything further than Canberra-Sydney distance is too long from my experience)
I would do War Memorial. I did it when I was 11 on school camp, going to Canberra for a trade show in April, will do the memorial again.