Melbourne to Canberra road trip - what to see & do (for kids)

[krylekathe1]

My daughter is desperate to go to Canberra, so next school holidays I'm going to take her, we'll go on a road trip.

I'm keen to know what to see & do as I've always thought of Canberra as being the most boring place on earth.

So far I've thought:
On the way/on the way home:
Dog on the tucker box
Glenrowan (that strange Ned Kelly thing)
Thought I might stop & spend the first night at Beechworth, I think there is stuff to do there?

In Canberra:
Science museum
Parliament House (the real reason she wants to go).

I can't think of anything else!

My mum says there is stuff to do in Dubbo, but I've not been there.

Last time I was in Canberra I was about 9 & coming back from Sydney!

My daughter is 9 & an only child. Would be happy to take a friend but know most 9 year olds wouldn't want to be away from their family for a week! So probably just us.

[village_person]

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@krylekathe wrote:
My daughter is desperate to go to Canberra, so next school holidays I'm going to take her, we'll go on a road trip.

In Canberra:
Parliament House (the real reason she wants to go).

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Tell her to take a few 'sick' bags with her. When she sees what happens in the playpen known as federal parliament she will vomit.

[gleee58]

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@krylekathe wrote:
My daughter is desperate to go to Canberra, so next school holidays I'm going to take her, we'll go on a road trip.

I'm keen to know what to see & do as I've always thought of Canberra as being the most boring place on earth.

So far I've thought:
On the way/on the way home:
Dog on the tucker box
Glenrowan (that strange Ned Kelly thing)
Thought I might stop & spend the first night at Beechworth, I think there is stuff to do there?

In Canberra:
Science museum
Parliament House (the real reason she wants to go).

I can't think of anything else!

My mum says there is stuff to do in Dubbo, but I've not been there.

Last time I was in Canberra I was about 9 & coming back from Sydney!

My daughter is 9 & an only child. Would be happy to take a friend but know most 9 year olds wouldn't want to be away from their family for a week! So probably just us.

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National Gallery, National Museum, AIS, I think Mt Stromlo is operating again, War memorial, Questacon can take a day on it's own. 

Old Parliament House is good too. It's an interesting little history tour.

[polksaladallie]

Old Parliament House, (wonderful and full of history), War Museum, National Museum, National Art Gallery.

https://www.google.com.au/#q=canberra+for+tourists

[grandmoon]

At 9 she would have a great time at Questacon, also a trip to the Mint. If she is interested in art there is the National Art Gallery and the Portrait Gallery and Old Parliament House.   The National Museum to name just a few attractions. 

[lyndal1838]

You could easily spend a week in the War Memorial alone if you are so inclined.

See if you can get a map of the Embassy area and take a drive round.   It is interesting to see the different styles of buildings....The US Embassy is very impressive but my favourite when I lived in Canberra was the Japanese Embassy.  It was a very long time ago and it may have been replaced by now.

The Lodge is interesting although I am not sure how much you can see now as is Yarralumla.

[serendipityricho]

Kryle-go the direct route one way and try the longer way

through Gippsland-as well--makes the trip a bit different...........Richo.

[azureline**]

The National Dinosaur Museum at Gold Creek, the Zoo and Aquarium.

Cockington Green! My kids loved that place.

http://www.cockingtongreen.com.au/

[lurker172602]

All of the above, plus The Arboretum which I understand has a fantastic playground (not sure if for a 9yo though) and also the AIS if she has any interest in sport.
Don't forget the fabulous lookouts around the city too, Mt Ainslie, Red Hill, Black Mountain, they are all very accessible. You could also get out of town and go into the Brindabellas for some lovely bush walking. Did anyone mention Tidbinbilla?

Calthorpes House is fascinating if she or you are interested in how people used to live and also Cupacumbalong for the same reason.


There are millions of things to do in Canberra, especially with kids, that don't have to involve politics. Have fun.

[lurker172602]

Sorry, I meant Lanyon Homestead, not Cupacumbalong.