Mount Ainslie Lookout

Mount Ainslie Lookout offers one of the most iconic views in the country: a sweeping vista straight down Anzac Parade, across the Australian War Memorial and Lake Burley Griffin to Parliament House on the far side. Rising just behind the city, it lays out Canberra's deliberate, ceremonial design like a map, and it's a must-do for any visit to the capital.

Reached by car or by a popular walking and cycling trail up through the bushland reserve, the lookout rewards the effort with panoramic views that are spectacular by day and especially memorable at sunset and after dark, when the city lights come on. It's a favourite of locals and visitors alike for good reason.

With a 4.7 rating from more than 5,500 reviews, it's a firmly established Canberra highlight. It's free and open to all, but conditions can be cool and exposed at the top and the access road and trails are subject to the weather, so it's worth checking current information before you head up — and taking a jacket if you're timing your visit for sunset.