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Things to Do in Civic, Canberra: The Local Guide

From Mount Ainslie views to wildlife reserves, lakeside parks and hands-on attractions, these are the best things to do in and around Civic, Canberra.

By Canberra Spots · 19 June 2026

# Things to Do in Civic, Canberra: The Local Guide

Civic is a useful base for exploring Canberra, but the city's best experiences are spread well beyond the central shopping and dining precinct. From the national institutions just north of Lake Burley Griffin to mountain lookouts, bushland reserves and family attractions across the region, Canberra rewards visitors who are prepared to venture a little further.

This guide brings together worthwhile places in and around Civic, with a focus on what each one actually offers and the kind of day it suits.

Start with Canberra's big views and national story

Mount Ainslie Lookout

For a quick understanding of Canberra's layout, head to Mount Ainslie Lookout. The view runs straight down Anzac Parade, over the Australian War Memorial and Lake Burley Griffin towards Parliament House. It is one of the clearest examples of the capital's deliberate, ceremonial design, with the main landmarks arranged in a single, highly legible vista.

You can reach the lookout by car or on foot via a popular walking route. It is especially useful early in a Canberra visit: the elevated view gives you a sense of how the city, lake and major institutions fit together rather than appearing as a series of disconnected attractions.

Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial in Braddon combines a place of remembrance with a museum and archive. Its focus is Australia's continuing story of military service, sacrifice and conflict, so it offers more than a collection of military objects: it is also a place to consider the human and national consequences of war.

Allow time to take in both the commemorative purpose of the site and its exhibitions and resources. Entry and parking are free, making it a practical addition to a day around the city, particularly if you want a substantial cultural visit without an admission cost.

Royal Australian Mint

At Deakin, the Royal Australian Mint gives visitors a look at how Australia's circulating coins are designed and produced. It remains a working mint, and the visitor centre includes viewing galleries over the factory floor, adding a useful sense of process to what could otherwise be a fairly familiar subject.

It is a good choice when you want something distinctly Australian but different from the major war and political institutions. The combination of industrial activity, design and national history makes it engaging for families and for anyone curious about the objects that pass through their hands every day.

Green spaces around the lake and city

Commonwealth Park

Commonwealth Park occupies a large stretch of Lake Burley Griffin's shoreline in the centre of Canberra. Its lawns, gardens, lakeside paths and shaded areas make it an easy place to slow down between indoor attractions or to spend time outdoors without leaving the central city area.

The park is also the home of Floriade, Australia's major spring flower celebration. Outside that event, its value is simpler: it is expansive, scenic and well placed for a walk, a picnic or a quiet break beside the lake.

Australian National Botanic Gardens

On the slopes of Black Mountain at Acton, the Australian National Botanic Gardens offer one of the best ways to encounter Australia's plant life in a concentrated setting. The gardens hold the world's most comprehensive living collection of Australian native plants, giving visitors the chance to see the country's botanical diversity rather than just a generic landscaped park.

There is enough variety to make this more than a short stroll, while the setting on the mountain slopes gives the visit a distinct connection to Canberra's natural landscape. Entry is free, which also makes it an easy option to fit around other city plans.

Weston Park

Weston Park, at Yarralumla, is a broad lakeside parkland with expansive lawns, shaded picnic areas, playgrounds and frontage onto Lake Burley Griffin. It suits visitors who want a relaxed outdoor stop rather than a formal attraction, with room for families to settle in and for walkers and cyclists to follow the water.

Its appeal is the combination of open space and a proper lakeside setting. It is a useful alternative to the busier institutional parts of Canberra when the plan is simply to spend time outside.

Canberra Nara Peace Park

For a quieter lakeside experience, visit Canberra Nara Peace Park at Yarralumla. This Japanese-style garden marks the sister-city relationship between Canberra and Nara, with traditional plantings, a stone lantern, water features and peaceful pathways arranged against the lake.

It is best approached as a place for a calm wander rather than a major sightseeing stop. The garden's composed details and serene setting provide a change of pace from Canberra's larger parks and national attractions, while its lakeside position makes it easy to combine with time around Lake Burley Griffin.

Outdoor days beyond central Canberra

National Arboretum Canberra

The National Arboretum Canberra spreads across the hills west of the city, creating a living landscape from forests of rare, endangered and significant trees from around the world. It was established on land affected by bushfires and has developed into one of Canberra's most distinctive combinations of conservation, landscape design and outlooks over the city and Lake Burley Griffin.

This is a strong choice if you want scenery with a sense of purpose. Rather than a conventional park, it presents forests and views as part of a broader story about recovery, conservation and the role of trees in the capital's landscape.

Stromlo Forest Park

On Canberra's western edge, Stromlo Forest Park is the place to go for active time outdoors. Set below Mount Stromlo, it has an extensive network of purpose-built trails for mountain biking and trail running, with options for beginners as well as experienced riders. The park also hosts outdoor events and has a reputation at the highest levels of those sports.

You do not need to be an elite competitor to find a reason to visit. Its scale and open setting make it a substantial destination for anyone interested in trail-based recreation, while the range of trails gives different ability levels room to find an appropriate challenge.

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

For a more natural bushland experience, make the trip to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, south-west of Canberra. The reserve sits against the Tidbinbilla mountain range and is known for its wildlife, including kangaroos, emus, koalas, platypus and many bird species across its bushland and wetlands.

The draw is the combination of scenery and the possibility of seeing native animals in a broad, protected landscape. It is a better fit for a dedicated nature outing than a quick stop in the city, particularly if wildlife and walking through varied habitats are priorities.

Yerrabi Pond District Park

In Gungahlin, Yerrabi Pond District Park offers a more local, easy-going version of a waterside day. The park centres on Yerrabi Pond and includes walking and cycling paths, open lawns, playgrounds and picnic areas.

It is particularly well suited to families or anyone looking for a straightforward place to spend time outdoors. The pond gives the park a scenic focus, while the combination of paths, lawns and facilities means the visit does not depend on a single formal attraction.

Family-friendly animal and group activities

National Zoo & Aquarium

At Weston, the National Zoo & Aquarium combines two attractions in one destination. Its collection includes big cats such as lions and tigers, a wide range of other animals and a substantial aquarium, giving visitors both land-based and underwater exhibits to explore.

That variety is the main reason to choose it for a family day: there is more than one type of animal experience, and the aquarium adds a different rhythm to the zoo visit. It is also a practical option when a group has mixed interests but wants to stay at one attraction.

Canberra Reptile Zoo

The Canberra Reptile Zoo in Nicholls, near Gungahlin, is dedicated to reptiles and other wildlife, including snakes, lizards, crocodiles and frogs. Its emphasis is on close-up encounters and learning about creatures that are often misunderstood.

Choose it when you want an animal attraction with a more focused subject than a general zoo. The chance to get close to reptiles gives the visit a distinctive character, and it can be an especially absorbing option for children and adults who are curious about native and unusual wildlife.

Escape Rooms Canberra

For a group activity that does not depend on good weather, Escape Rooms Canberra in Phillip, in the Woden area, offers themed rooms filled with clues, locks and puzzles to solve against the clock. The experience is built around communication and shared problem-solving, so it works best when everyone is willing to contribute rather than leaving the task to one particularly competitive person.

It is a ready-made plan for a group that wants something more involving than simply meeting for dinner and a drink. The timed format gives the outing a clear structure, while the puzzles provide a reason for everyone to stay engaged.

Practical tips for planning

Treat this as a guide to the wider Canberra area rather than a list of places within an easy walk of Civic. Mount Ainslie, the War Memorial and the central lake parks are natural choices for a city-focused day; the arboretum, Weston, Deakin, Gungahlin, Woden, Stromlo and Tidbinbilla require a broader plan.

Match the venue to the time you have. Commonwealth Park, Weston Park, Canberra Nara Peace Park and Yerrabi Pond District Park work well as flexible outdoor stops, while Tidbinbilla, Stromlo Forest Park and the National Arboretum deserve more deliberate visits. Check current opening arrangements before setting out, particularly for ticketed attractions and any seasonal activity. For low-cost planning, the Australian War Memorial offers free entry and parking, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are free to enter.