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.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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

Melbourne to Canberra via Dubbo - interesting little trip - why not call in on us on the Sunshine Coast - not far out of your way.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

Melbourne - Dubbo - Canberra - Melbourne a mere 2,117 km - so about 23-26 hours drive time. Dubbo Zoo is nice.

[lurker172602]

If you really want to make it a round trip you could head to Batemans Bay and take the coast road back to Melbourne. Or go via Cooma for a look at the Snowy Mountains, then down to Bega to join to Princes Highway.

I'm with rabbits re Dubbo. Good place to visit but a looong way out of your way.

[i-need-a-martini]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo.

They have a programme where you can camp on site safari-like amongst the animals which would be perfect for a 9 year old. The tents are big comfy canvas ones and you get to be up close and personal with animals through a guided tour.

Great experience.

[lurker172602]

They have, but it's a very long way around if your travelling from Melbourne to Canberra

[imastawka]

Is ya mum looking after the dog while you're gone?

I only remember going around in circles in Canberra and trying

to find somewhere to eat.  Don't know why it was so hard 40 years ago.

Oh and the Carillon on the lake

[zanadoo_56]

+1 for the Australian War Memorial.

When I lived in Canberra as a child we used to visit there almost every weekend.  It's a fabulous place and your daughter will love the Hall of Memory....but that's just the tip of the iceberg.  It's a must see place.

[lyndal1838]

The War Memorial has been suggested several times.

You could spend the whole week in there.

I lived in Canberra for 3 years and every time we had visitors who wanted to do some sightseeing we suggested the War Memorial.  All visitors were shown a different section and by the end of our 3 years I believe we had seen every section.

That was many years ago and I would love to go back again to see the new additions since we were there.

[azureline**]

I love Canberra, wish we never left there........ but I have become accustomed to sunshine.

[youcandoityoucandoityoucandoit]

I went to that Ned Kelly thing at Glenrowan last year- no way would I go again...yikes it gave me the creeps (maybe it was just the owner??) and the info given at times, was unbelievable, dubious at best..

You know your daughter, but I dont think Id take a 9 yr to it..