Canberra in 48 Hours

Canberra capers in our national capital are made easy with this itinerary, covering yummy eats, animals up close and even a playground at a tree museum.

The capital seen from the sky Picture: Visit Canberra

DAY 1

Morning:

Get straight into fun mode with a visit to Power Kart Raceway – an adrenalin-charged racing experience using electric go-karts on a Formula One style indoor circuit. Then, tone it down with a visit to the Royal Australian Mint, where you can see one of the world’s strongest robots make Australian coins.

Lunch:

Look out over the Manuka Lawns while the sun shines and the kids scamper about at Urban Pantry, a modern cafe with a relaxed vibe. The lunch menu includes amazing choices, like brioche French toast and smoked trout tortillas, to entice even the pickiest eaters.

Exploring all things silver and gold at the Mint Picture: Bound Round

Afternoon:

Kids and adults alike can get up close and personal with some of the world’s most amazing creatures at the National Zoo and Aquarium. The Family Tour takes you behind the scenes to feed bears and meet monkeys, dingoes, kangaroos and emus.

Evening:

Take a short drive to Snapper – on the Lake for a sunset dinner of fresh fish and chips with water views.

Our junior reporters get up close with a giraffe at the National Zoo Picture: Bound Round

DAY 2

Morning:

The Pod Playground at the National Arboretum Canberra features acorn cubbies connected by rope tunnels and tube slides, as well as climbing nets for younger children and Banksia cubbies with music-making activities. With 94 forests of rare and symbolic trees planted across 250 hectares of rolling hills, there’s plenty of space for kids to run and roam.

Lunch:

For a casual lakeside experience where the kids can still have a run around, Bookplate at the National Library of Australia is a great place to have a relaxed bite to eat with lakeside views.

The Acorn playground at the national Arboretum Picture: National Arboretum/L.Muldoon

Afternoon:

Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, can’t be missed. Budding scientists will love the ever-changing array of intriguing experiments, fascinating demonstrations and interesting displays. For those aged six and under, Mini Q is a custom-built area designed for little people to explore science in their own way.

Evening:

End the day in Kingston at the burger haven (and local favourite) Brodburger. From its humble beginnings as a red gypsy food van to a now-bustling eatery with indoor and outdoor dining, Brodburger serves up delicious flame-grilled gourmet burgers.

Crazy light tunnels at Questacon Picture: Bound Round

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