Historic places in Canberra

Historic places in Canberra

1. BuyBelconnen

   Asia Bookroom

   A world-renowned, highly specialized independent bookstore. It deals extensively in new, second-hand, out-of-print, and ancient rare books and academic texts covering the entire Asian continent. The staff are exceptionally knowledgeable research experts.

   Tue–Fri 10AM–5:30PM, Sat 10AM–5PM (closed Sun Mon)

2. SeeNorth Canberra

   Australian Defence Force Academy

   ADFA

   While the grounds of ADFA are open to the public they are of little interest to travellers. There's an excellent collection of books on military history in the ADFA library, and the library also sometimes has small exhibitions of historic items on its upper level. If you happen to be around in the area on the last Saturday in August, the Academy's open day is worth checking out – it boasts interesting displays of current military hardware, including armoured vehicles and helicopters, and displays of military marching and infantry tactics by the cadets.

3. SeeNorth Canberra

   Australian War Memorial

   AWM

   Not just a memorial, this is one of Australia's premier museums, covering Australian military history from the Federation to the present day and including fascinating exhibits of equipment, memorabilia, and battle dioramas. You could easily spend a full day here (it has a cafe, or bring a picnic lunch if the weather is nice and sit on the lawns at the front). Anzac Parade, leading up to the War Memorial has several memorials to different wars and those involved in wars. Free entry, allow 4–7 hours. The AWM opens its large storage warehouse in the industrial suburb of Mitchell to the public once every few years (usually in September or October), and this is a must-see event for people interested in military history. A Last Post Ceremony paying tribute to one of the soldiers on the Roll of Honour is held at 4:45PM every day, just before the memorial closes to the public for the day. Attendance at the ceremony is free but must be booked in advance due to the limited number of spaces. Every first and third Wednesday of the month from February to November, Australia's Federation Guard mounts a catafalque party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and performs a precision military drill as the catafalque party is dismounted as part of the Last Post Ceremony. The AWM is mid-way through a major expansion, and many of its galleries are closed.

   Daily: museum 10AM-5PM, shop 10AM-4:30PM, café 9AM-4PM·Free

4. EatAirport and East

   Beltana Farm Restaurant

   Beltana Farm Dining

   An architectural and culinary marvel standing proudly within a lush grove of over 800 oak and hazelnut truffle trees. Replacing the old historical estate concepts of the area, this destination restaurant centers around a magnificent double-sided fireplace constructed from regional Pialligo sandstone. The kitchen specializes in farmhouse-inspired shared plates that change seamlessly with the seasons, explicitly celebrating local farmers and suppliers. During winter months, dishes are heavily elevated by fresh, aromatic black truffles harvested directly from the surrounding soil. Booking well in advance is highly essential.

   Lunch: Thu-Sun noon-3PM, dinner: Thu–Sat 6–10PM·Premium dining; multi-course shared menus format

5. SeeActon

   CSIRO Discovery Centre

   The museum of the Australian Government's scientific research organisation includes exhibits on the history of Australian science and the CSIRO's current research.

   Mon-Fri·Free

6. SeeSouth Canberra

   Calthorpe's House

   Historic house picturing life in Canberra in the early days of the territory.

   Sat Sun 1-4PM·$7 adult, $5 concession, $15 family. A three-site pass covers here, Lanyon (near Tharwa), and Mugga Mugga in Symanston

7. SeeCivic

   Canberra Centenary Column

   A 8.5-m sculpture built to commemorate Canberra's centenary, and unveiled on 11 March 2014. The top of the base is inlaid with glass tiles and has a steel covering etched with images depicting Canberra's 100-year history and was designed by local artist Geoff Farquhar-Still. The design was inspired by the "Commencement Column" that was proposed to have been built when Canberra was founded but was never completed.

8. SeeCivic

   Canberra Museum and Gallery

   CMAG

   A museum and art gallery featuring works and exhibits of the local region. It includes an interesting permanent gallery on the history of Canberra and several galleries that host temporary exhibitions, generally by local artists and photographers. It also features the Sydney Nolan Collection - the works of Sir Sydney Nolan, a famous Australian artist.

   Mon–Fri; Sat Sun·Free

9. BuyBelconnen

   Capital Food Market

   formerly Belconnen Fresh Food Markets

   Formerly the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, this historic site has been completely transformed into a state-of-the-art, European-inspired indoor market pavilion. The precinct houses over 40 artisanal traders, including organic fruit and vegetable providores, premium butchers, local fishmongers, and specialty delis. A dedicated casual dining corridor features all-day eateries, cafes, and bakeries. Includes 2 hours of free undercover customer parking.

   Wed-Sun 8AM-6PM (some stores are open 7 days a week)·Free entry

10. SeeActon

    Classics Museum

    Australian National University Classics Museum

    One of the few classics museums in Australia, this museum within the Australian National University houses a small, but interesting, collection of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts. The A.D. Hope building also has a range of anthropological displays on Indigenous Australian and Pacific island cultures.

    Mon-Fri (except public holidays)·Free

11. DrinkCivic

    Dear Prudence

    Inside the historic colonnades of the Sydney Building, this intimate wine and aperitif bar brings a slice of European flair to the city centre. Outfitted with beautifully distressed walls, moody candlelit tables, and large arched windows, it mimics a romantic, low-key New York wine lounge. Part of the broader Verity Lane Market food hall precinct, the bar features a highly curated, weekly rotating selection of undiscovered global and local lo-fi wines. It is an excellent, sophisticated sanctuary for dates or quiet conversations over cheese and charcuterie.

    Mon–Sat 3PM–late, Sun 2–7PM·Wine by the glass from $12

12. SeeNorth Canberra

    Duntroon Dairy

    Historic Duntroon Dairy

    Built in 1832, this building is believed to be the oldest building in the ACT standing. It's only open on request, but you can still see the building very close to a small carpark off Kelliher Dr. There's plenty of informative signage, and you'll see some excellent views over Lake Burley Griffin.

13. BuyBelconnen

    Dymocks Belconnen

    A massive, well-organised branch of Australia's oldest family-owned commercial bookseller. This store is locally franchised and boasts an incredibly comprehensive inventory spanning all major genres, including massive contemporary fiction walls, biography aisles, history texts, and an extensive travel and stationery pavilion. Features a very active local book club program and frequently hosts weekend book-signing events for domestic Australian authors.

    Mon–Thu 9AM–5:30PM, Fri 9AM–9PM, Sat 9AM–5PM, Sun 10AM–4PM

14. DrinkCivic

    Fun Time Pony

    Beneath the historic Sydney Building at 122 Alinga Street, this grungy, high-energy late-night dive bar is Canberra's ultimate rock-and-roll sanctuary. It packs in free pool tables, vintage pinball machines, and a loud, unhinged playlist of punk, indie, and rock. The venue serves as a major live gig space for local bands and touring acts, and serves up delicious New York-style pizza slices late into the night.

    Thu–Sat 8PM–late

15. SeeTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Geoscience Australia

    An education centre with some great explanations of Australia's geology and science. Displays include minerals, rocks, fossils and plenty of historical items. Parking is available outside, and the centre is wheelchair-accessible.

    Mon–Fri (closed weekends and public holidays)·Free

16. SeeNamadgi National Park

    Gudgenby Homestead

    One of the most visited historic huts, owing to its location, was one of the oldest huts in the region. It was built in 1845 by a Scottish immigrant, but unfortunately dismantled in 1964. However, the hut's timber was stored in a shipping container, and now it has been restored to its historic state.

17. SeeHall

    Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre

    The small district's local museum housed in the former Hall Primary School tells the history of the first teachers at bush schools in Australia, before 1940. The museum also contains some historic photos from Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Hall during the settlement era.

    Thu, Sun, 1st Sun of every month:

18. BuyHall

    Hartley Hall Markets

    The historic village hosts a monthly market that raises money for local charity Hartley Lifecare. There are hundreds of stalls selling gifts, art, craft, baked goods, plants, furniture, clothing, pottery, and children’s toys.

    First Sun of month (except Jan)·$2-5

19. SeeBelconnen

    Historic Belconnen Naval Transmitting Station

    Bells Naval Station

    Commissioned in April 1939 on the absolute eve of the Second World War, this historic site—affectionately known to military telegraphists as "Bells"—was once the most powerful long-distance naval wireless base in the British Empire. Working alongside HMAS Harman, its high-powered transmitters broadcasted encrypted Morse code commands to Allied warships and submerged submarines across the Pacific and Indian Oceans. While its three legendary, 600-foot-tall steel aerial towers were dismantled when the facility decommissioned in 2005, the heavy concrete Transmitting Hall, mechanical generator rooms, and military guard houses are safely preserved on the Commonwealth Heritage List. The open perimeter doubles as a critical, untouched reservation for the endangered native Golden Sun Moth.

    24 hours daily for external viewing·Free

20. DoAirport and East

    Historic Glenburn Homestead

    A highly fascinating cultural heritage precinct containing early European structures, ruins, historic gravesites, and rusted farm machinery dating back to the 1830s. It offers a remarkably raw, authentic glimpse of what the Limestone Plains looked like when the region was just an isolated patchwork of subsistence farmland. The site features three self-guided, signposted loop trails of medium difficulty that are perfectly suited for bushwalkers and mountain bikers. There are no public toilets, drinking water taps, or rubbish bins available at the homestead precinct, so visitors must pack in all essentials.

    Open 24 hours daily (closed during days of Total Fire Ban)·Free

21. DrinkHall

    Hops and Vine

    Located on the village's main thoroughfare at 6A Victoria Street, this rustic, highly social boutique craft beer and wine cellar is housed in the beautifully restored, 116-year-old heritage Kinlyside Hall (which previously served as a wheelwright's shop and a dance hall). It features a massive selection of over 200 different local and independent Australian craft beers alongside a curated wall of boutique regional wines that do not have their own cellar doors. Regular weekend tasting events are hosted here, making it a great destination to sample the region's beverage scene in a cozy, historic setting.

    Tue–Sat 11AM–7PM, Sun 11AM–5PM

22. DrinkCivic

    King O'Malleys

    This massive, legendary Irish pub serves as a highly relaxed and welcoming home for all types of travelers. Featuring a maze of cozy wood-paneled snugs, open-air streetfront tables, and historical memorabilia detailing its eccentric namesake politician, it offers a wonderfully casual atmosphere. The kitchen serves up classic, hearty pub-style meals for lunch and dinner, alongside a stellar selection of international stouts, local craft beers, and Irish whiskies.

    daily 11AM–late·pints of beer from $11

23. DoSouth Canberra

    Lake Burley Griffin Cruises

    Temporarily suspended. An eco-friendly tour company offering quiet historical sightseeing and morning tea cruises aboard all-electric vessels. Under normal circumstances, the company runs daily tours from mid-September through to mid-May. All public cruises are temporarily offline while the operator undergoes extensive maintenance following a vessel incident.

24. SeeTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Lanyon Homestead

    Historic homestead of early Canberra settlers, guided tours, walks and a maintained garden. Cafe for lunch, coffee and cake. A three-house pass for $15/10/30 covers Lanyon, Calthorpe's House and Mugga Mugga house in Symanston.

    10AM-4PM (closed Mondays)·$7 adult, $5 concession, $15 family

25. DrinkTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Lanyon Vikings

    This modern community club is the perfect stop after exploring the historic Lanyon Homestead. The club features a spacious bar pouring cold beers and $14 cocktails, a TAB sports lounge with big screens, and a peaceful outdoor terrace looking directly over the local sports fields toward the picturesque Brindabella Ranges. The on-site bistro is renowned for highly affordable daily meal specials (such as $15 steak and schnitzel nights) and includes a dedicated indoor kids' play area.

    Sun Mon 11AM–10PM, Tue Wed 11AM–midnight, Thu–Sat 11AM–2AM·Pint of beer from $10; mains $18-35; $15 weekday lunches

26. DrinkCivic

    Luna

    Inside the landmark heritage Sydney Building on London Circuit, this striking cocktail lounge offers a dramatic yet highly intimate setting. Merging historic 1920s architecture with glamorous modern design, the space is perfect for starting or capping off a night in the city. The bar features an audacious menu of signature cocktails made with premium local and international spirits, while the open kitchen serves up an elevated, share-friendly modern Australian menu with global influences. they host free live acoustic music and DJs on select nights.

    Thu Fri 4PM–late, Sat Sun noon–late·Cocktails from $22

27. DrinkSouth Canberra

    Members' Bar (Old Parliament House)

    Located inside the historic Old Parliament House. This legendary heritage bar was once strictly restricted to parliamentarians and their elite guests. Today, it hosts popular public "Friday Night Drinks" (traditionally in the outdoor courtyards during the warmer months featuring live DJs and cocktails popular with graduates, or cozy winter sessions inside the untouched 1940s timber-paneled bar room). It remains a highly popular spot for local graduates after work, offering a vintage Art Deco setting to enjoy cocktails, wine, and premium charcuterie boards.

    Fri 4–9PM·Drinks from $12

28. Drink

    Mooseheads

    East Row - London Cct - City

    A bar with local history. It burnt down and was restored, Mooseheads is famous as an Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) hangout.

29. DrinkCivic

    Mooseheads

    This multi-level bar on London Circuit near East Row is an absolute institution with deep local history. Rebuilt and beautifully restored after a major fire, Mooseheads is legendary as a favorite weekend hangout for students and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). The venue splits its high-energy nightlife across several levels, featuring a casual, sticky-floored pub downstairs playing rock classics and a high-volume nightclub upstairs spinning Top 40 and dance tracks.

    Thu–Sat 4PM–5AM·Beer from $8

30. SeeNorth Canberra

    Mount Pleasant

    Mount Pleasant Lookout

    The hill which overlooks the Royal Military College — Duntroon and the nearby Australian Defence Force Academy is topped by the modest Royal Australian Artillery Memorial, which includes two historic cannons. The grave of General William Bridges, the first commander of the Australian troops at Gallipoli, is just off General Bridges Drive at the base of Mount Pleasant: Bridges was killed in May 1915 and is one of only two Australians killed in the war to have been returned home for burial (the other being the Unknown Soldier at the nearby Australian War Memorial).

31. DoWeston Creek, Molonglo Valley and Woden

    Mount Stromlo Observatory

    Located atop Mount Stromlo just west of the Weston Creek district, this iconic site serves as the headquarters for astronomy and astrophysics research at the Australian National University (ANU). Heavily impacted by the devastating 2003 bushfires, the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the original heritage telescopes remain on-site alongside rebuilt modern laser ranging facilities. The sweeping panoramic views over Canberra and the Brindabella Ranges make it a must-visit during the day. On select Saturday nights, they host popular public stargazing events where visitors can peer through professional scopes.

    grounds daily 8AM-5PM·Free entry to grounds; public stargazing nights from $5 donation/fee

32. SeeActon

    National Film & Sound Archive

    Housed in a 1930s art deco building, the NFSA is the custodian of more than 3 million items related to Australia's audiovisual history. Special events and exhibitions available; film screening programs run at Arc cinema (check the website for details). Self-guided tours of the building also available.

    Sat Sun

33. SeeSouth Canberra

    National Library of Australia

    The library is primarily a research centre, but houses a permanent display of historically significant items as well as temporary exhibitions showing parts of the collection. It's an accessible space, entirely comfortable for anyone to visit. Also notable for its neo-classical architecture.

    Mon-Thu 9AM-9PM, Fri Sat 9AM-5PM, Sun 1:30PM-5PM

34. SeeActon

    National Museum of Australia

    This museum presents a thematic rather than a chronological account of Australian history, and spent its early years embroiled in a controversy over whether its displays were politically biased. The NMA has been revamped and expanded and includes some excellent galleries on Indigenous Australia and many interesting items, but the museum as a whole is somewhat underwhelming and not likely to be of much interest to non-Australians.

    Daily·Free, except special exhibits

35. SeeSouth Canberra

    Old Parliament House

    featuring the Museum of Australian Democracy

    The headquarters of the Australian government from the 1920s to 1988, this building is a must for political and/or historical junkies. The building gives a real feel of what it was like when it was in use and has in the past regularly featured rotating exhibitions on the controversies and scandals that rocked Australian politics. It is now a permanent museum. Most of the main rooms - the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet Room, the various party rooms, the two houses - are open to visitors, as are many smaller rooms like the whips' offices and the broadcasting area. There are also historical photos of Canberra as it used to be, including the times prior to the creation of the artificial lake that shows Canberra under snow during winter (the lake warmed up the city and snow falls rarely on the city now). The gift store has decent souvenirs.

    Parking is free, admission is AUD 2 for adults, AUD 1 concession. Allow 2–3 hours

36. SeeNamadgi National Park

    Orroral Homestead

    An easy walk for those staying at Orroral Campground, this 1860s-built hut is the oldest hut in the park and one of the most conserved one. Inside there are several informative signs detaining the history of the pastoral times of the ACT.

37. DrinkCivic

    PJs in the City

    Inside the historic, colonnaded Melbourne Building on West Row, this lively destination offers a wonderfully casual, Irish-themed gastropub experience. Complete with a vibrant brick beer garden and a warm, timber-lined interior, it has a casual feel that serves as a sister venue to King O'Malley's. The bar boasts a great lineup of Aussie favorites and craft beers on tap, while the stage hosts energetic local live acoustic music on Friday and Saturday nights.

    Mon–Fri 11AM–late, Sat 3PM–late

38. DoCivic

    Palace Electric Cinemas

    An 8-screen independent cinema located within the contemporary NewActon precinct. It specializes in international film festivals, independent cinema, art-house features, and documentaries. Features an on-site espresso cafe and a licensed prosecco bar.

39. DrinkCivic

    Palace Electric Prosecco Bar

    Inside the independent Palace Electric Cinema complex within the sustainable Nishi building in NewActon, this striking, contemporary wine bar has the capacity to host up to 200 guests. Far from your average movie-theatre lobby, this highly stylish venue features sleek modern lines and warm lighting. It is a very popular drop-in spot for locals and theatre-goers looking to enjoy a crisp glass of prosecco, a boutique beer, or a premium gin goblet paired with fresh Italian-style antipasto platters before or after their screening.

    daily 10AM–late·Wines by the glass from $11

40. DrinkCivic

    Parlour of Dreams

    formerly Parlour Wine Room

    Beneath the historic Sydney Building at 122 Alinga Street (accessed in the rear via Verity Lane), this hidden, retro cocktail speakeasy has replaced the old Parlour. Tucked secretly behind the loud, high-energy dive bar "Fun Time Pony", the space offers a moody, intimate escape featuring plush velvet curved booths, leopard-print carpet, and vintage retro-inspired decor. With a dedicated private bartender mixing up specialty, high-end cocktails to a playlist of eclectic tunes, it makes for a highly exclusive late-night retreat.

    Thu–Sat 8PM–late·Cocktails from $22

Browse all 483 places in Canberra

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0).