Example Canberra Sightseeing Tour

The times/timeframes below are indicative only.

Pick up

9:30am - Pick up from your accommodation in the Canberra region and head to Mount Ainslie lookout.

Mount Ainslie lookout

9.45am - Arrive at Mount Ainslie lookout for panoramic views of Canberra and the iconic view over the War Memorial, down ANZAC Parade and across Lake Burley Griffin to the Old and New Parliament Houses. 

Drive to the War Memorial

10:15am - Leave Mount Ainslie for the short drive to the War Memorial for a quick highlights tour including the Hall of Memory, Roll of Honour, Pool of Reflection/Eternal Flame and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.  

Drive to the Museum of Australian Democracy

11:00am - Leave the War Memorial and head to the Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House) driving past the ANZAC Parade memorials, the National Carillon, over Lake Burley Griffin and taking a winding route through the Parliamentary Triangle to see many of Australia's national institutions including the High Court of Australia, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, The National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon), and the National Library.

Arrive at the Museum of Australian Democracy for a half hour tour guided by your guide who will share the important history of this 'temporary' Parliament House.

Drive to Parliament House

12:00am - Leave the Museum of Australian Democracy and head to Parliament House.

Arrive at Parliament House for a half hour tour guided by your driver who will talk about some of the amazing architecture, history, and day to day goings-on in what is the largest building in the southern hemisphere.  Includes morning tea on the Queen's Terrace.

Drive to the National Arboretum

1:30 - Leave Parliament House for a scenic drive to the Arboretum past the Lodge (the Prime Minister's Canberra residence), Government House, Scrivener Dam, and the National Zoo and Aquarium.

Apart from being a beautiful location in its own right, the Arboretum offers some great views back over Lake Burley Griffin to Canberra city and Parliament House.

Head home or to another attraction

2:10pm - Leave the Arboretum for a short drive back to your Canberra accommodation or another venue of your choosing arriving around 2:30pm.

The above times are approximate only and may be subject to prevailing traffic conditions and more importantly how much you are enjoying yourself.  In particular we will not be pushing you into the car at precisely 2:10pm to end your tour and head home!!

Other options

This example tour could be four, five or more hours. You can add or subtract stopovers and visits at any of Canberra's many attractions based on your interests or to focus on the places you may not have visited on previous trips to Canberra.

If, for example, you have planned to explore the War Memorial's many galleries and exhibits, we could skip the War Memorial highlights tour element above and instead finish your tour back at the War Memorial for lunch and for you to explore at your leisure (there are some excellent volunteer guided tours too).   In this case we could spend the 'spare' time on the tour looking at the memorials on ANZAC Parade, or the Carillon and Lake, or the Royal Australian Mint.  

The tour can of course also be extended if you wish to spend more time at any venues, or to add more stopovers.