There's lots to see around Canberra

When visiting the nation's capital there is a lot more to visit than Parliament House. Explore the flora and fauna at the botanical gardens, and don't forget to check out the impressively tall Telstra Tower.

Australian National Botanic Gardens
The magnificent gardens are home to the world's finest collection of Australian plants and are a pleasure to visit at any time of the year. Highlights include the Rainforest Gully, the Rock Garden, the Eucalypt Lawn, the Mallee area and the Display Glasshouse. The excellent bookshop carries a wide range of titles and the cafe serves light refreshments.
Clunies Ross Street, Acton;
Open daily 9am-5pm
Ph: 6250 9540

Canberra Space Dome & Observatory
This domed theatre uses special effects to simulate the southern night sky. A range of educational shows allows the visitor to experience interplanetary space flights, discover the mysteries of the night sky and learn about the solar system's planets.
Downer Club, Hawdon Place, Dickson;
Open Tues-Sat from 7pm
Ph: 6248 5333

Cockington Green
Explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens. See miniature buildings representing Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Peru, Slovenia, Scotland, South Africa, Spain and Venezuela. The latest additions include a working model of an Australian Gold Mine and Trakai Castle from Lithuania. These fantastic displays are surrounded by spectacular gardens and stunning lawns. The kids will love to drive the electric garden railway or enjoy a miniature steam train ride. After your stroll through this magnificent display relax over a coffee in the Garden Cafe.
Gold Creek Village, Gold Creek Road, Nicholls;
Open daily 9:30am-5pm
Ph: 1800 627 273

Kamberra Wine Company
This stunningly designed complex features the Cellar Door with wine tastings, the Meeting Place restaurant, a demonstration winery and 7 hectares of landscaped gardens including an outdoor amphitheatre.
Cnr Northbourne Avenue & Flemington Road, Lyneham;
Cellar Door daily 10am-5pm Ph: 6262 2333;
Meeting Place, lunch daily Ph: 6262 2144

Mugga-Mugga
This carefully conserved 1830s shepherd's cottage, set in 17 hectares of grazing land 10.6 km south of Canberra, presents a glimpse of nineteenth-century rural life. The environmental education centre has guided tours and exhibitions.
Narrabundah Lane, Symonston;
Sunday 1.30pm-4.30pm.
Joint entry ticket with Calthorpes' House.
Ph: 6207 2173

National Dinosaur Museum
Learn about dinosaurs, their habits and their extinction and view plants, animal fossils dating back millions of years at Australia's largest dinosaur museum.
Gold Creek Village, Barton Highway Gungahlin;
Open daily 9am-5pm
Ph: 6230 2655

Telstra Tower
The tower, rising 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain, provides splendid 360-degree views of Canberra and surrounds. This regional landmark has open and closed observation decks, two cafes and a revolving restaurant. An exhibition, 'Making Connections', traces the history of Australian telecommunications.
Black Mountain Drive, Black Mountain; open daily 9am-10pm Ph: 1800 806 718;
Tower Restaurant, open daily lunch & dinner Ph: 6248 6162