Canberra on a Budget: 2 Days of Fun

Discover Australia's capital city without breaking the bank - Canberra on a shoestring budget.

21 June 2023

A budget trip to Canberra, Australia would involve exploring the city's numerous free attractions such as the Australian War Memorial, National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of Australia, all of which offer free admission. Opting for budget accommodation options like hostels or shared apartments and preparing your own meals at grocery stores instead of dining out can also help cut costs. For an affordable and convenient mode of transportation, the ACTION bus service and bike rentals are available within the city.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring the Capital

  • Hotel: Canberra City YHA a budget-friendly hostel in the city center with comfy dorms and private rooms.
  • Start your day at the Australian War Memorial, where you can learn about Australia's military history and pay respects to fallen soldiers.
  • Walk to Lake Burley Griffin and admire the views of the parliament building, National Gallery of Australia and National Library of Australia.
  • Visit Parliament House and watch democracy in action from the public galleries.
  • Have a picnic lunch at Commonwealth Park and enjoy the Rose Garden and Ferris Wheel
  • Art lovers should visit the National Portrait Gallery or National Gallery of Australia.
  • For dinner, head to the trendy Lonsdale Street in Braddon and try the delicious burgers at Grease Monkey.
Day 2

Culture and Nature

  • Start your day with a coffee and breakfast at the hip Lonsdale Street Roasters.
  • Visit the Museum of Australian Democracy and learn about Australia's political past.
  • Go for a hike in the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where you can see wildlife, birds, and beautiful scenery.
  • Stop for lunch at the Tidbinbilla Visitor Center, where you can also learn about the local Aboriginal culture.
  • Visit the National Arboretum Canberra and wander through the beautiful forests and gardens.
  • End your day with dinner at The Cupping Room where they offer delicious dishes perfect to end the day.
  • Canberra may not have a reputation for being the most exciting city in Australia, but it offers plenty of great activities to enjoy. Follow this two-day itinerary and experience the culture, nature, and history that the city has to offer while staying on a budget.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Canberra, Australia by plane is to fly into Canberra Airport which has regular flights from major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Car

Driving is a great way to explore Australia's scenic countryside while traveling to Canberra. The major highway, Hume Highway, connects Sydney and Canberra, while the Princes Highway links Canberra to Melbourne. There are also several car rental services available at the Sydney and Canberra airports.

Train

While there is no direct train service to Canberra, you can take a train to the nearby city of Queanbeyan and then catch a local bus to Canberra. However, flying into Canberra Airport is a much more convenient option.

Boat

As Canberra is located inland, there are no direct boat options available. However, you can take a cruise along the nearby Murray River, which is around a 3-4 hour drive from Canberra.

Bus

Taking a Greyhound or a Murrays bus is a good option to reach Canberra. Both services offer regular trips from Sydney and Melbourne to Canberra.

Destination

Canberra

Welcome to a city that is so confusing, it even has a roundabout with five exits. But don't worry, it's not just the street layout that will leave you feeling dazed and bewildered.

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