Timeline
10:00
Pick up a coffee and a pastry at Rebel Rebel. The angular timber beams and recycled materials give you a taste of the modern design ethos that would later define Canberra’s civic buildings.
10:25
Walk to the National Capital Exhibition. Arriving just after opening at 10:00 on a weekday ensures you have the space to absorb the original Burley Griffin Plan without the midday crowds. The free exhibition explains the geometry of the city you are about to see.
11:00
Stroll north to Glebe Park. It is a short walk from the Exhibition and offers a quiet, green contrast to the museum’s glass and steel. This remnant of 1840s Anglican land allocation provides a peaceful place to rest and reflect on the city’s layered history.
11:40
Head back towards the Civic area for lunch at Indo Cafe. It is a reliable spot for traditional Indonesian eats with takeaway lunch specials. The affordable price and simple menu make it an efficient stop to refuel before the final leg.
12:20
End your morning at Mount Pleasant. The drive or short walk up offers a commanding view over the Royal Military College and the Australian Defence Force Academy. From this height, the geometric lines of the Burley Griffin plan you studied earlier finally make sense.
Local tip
The National Capital Exhibition is free but check if you are visiting on a weekend, as opening hours shift to 10:00–16:00. Indo Cafe is closed on weekends, so plan your lunch day accordingly.
Check before you go
- National Capital Exhibition: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa,Su 10:00-16:00
- Indo Cafe: Mon–Fri only (closed Sat Sun)
- Rebel Rebel: Mon–Wed 5PM–late, Thu–Sun noon–late
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).