City Centre and Northside

The city centre has some of Canberra's best shops and restaurants, major retailers, cinemas, galleries and nightspots as well as vibrant street life.

Australian Institute of Sport
It’s summer time at the AIS and we invite you to take part in all the fun and exciting activities. Fun for all ages, a tour with an elite athlete is an Australian experience not to miss. Then challenge yourself and friends in Sportex - the interactive sports experience where you can discover the champion within in a soccer penalty shoot out, rowing race, rock climb or even wheel chair basketball!. After all the fun you can see a special exhibition on the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Free AIS PasSport for every child on tour!
The AIS holiday program for 5 to 13 year olds is focussed on having fun, learning new skills, teamwork and keeping active. For a full day your kids can enjoy a wide range of activities including swimming, soccer, netball, plus arts and craft, movies and much, much more!
Leverrier Crescent, Bruce;
Open 9am-5pm;
Public tours 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, except Christmas Day
Ph: 6214 1444.
School holiday program: 6214 1264 Bookings essential.
www.aisport.com.au/tours

Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of Australian men and women who have served in war. The Memorial is internationally recognised for its exhibitions which present stories of Australians at war, in armed conflict and during peacekeeping. In the last five years the Memorial has undergone extensive redevelopment resulting in more displays such as the Second World War gallery, Bradbury Aircraft Hall and the spectacular ANZAC Hall. So if you haven't been to the Memorial for a while, go and experience the link between technology and war, and how military involvement helped shape Australia.
Treloar Crescent
Open daily 10am-5pm
9am-5pm during ACT/NSW school holidays and on long weekends.
For further information, please refer to the Memorial's website www.awm.gov.au
Activity Line 6243 4598

Blundells' Cottage
Blundells' Cottage was built in the 1860s, originally as part of the Campbell family's Duntroon estate, it was home to three families of tenant farm workers. The National Capital Authority now manages Blundells' Cottage as a hands-on museum. Blundells' Cottage is open 11am-4pm daily except Christmas Day.
Admission is $4 adults, $2 concession and $10 families.
Wendouree Drive, off Constitution Avenue, Parkes;
Open daily 11am-4pm
Ph: 6257 1068

Casino Canberra
Casino Canberra is a European-style boutique casino offering personalised service and stylish ambience. You can play blackjack, pontoon, American roulette, rapid roulette, sic-bo, mini-baccarat and the Money Wheel. If you'd like to try for a jackpot, there's the quirky Canberra Poker. Visit the new The Grill Brasserrie; put your thoughts on paper and they'll make sure it gets delivered to the politician of your choice, open until late or enjoy Deja Vu nightclub on Saturday night. Foreign currency exchange also available open after hours.
21 Binara Street, Civic;
Open daily 12 noon to 6am
Ph: 6257 7074
www.casinocanberra.com.au

Canberra Museum & Gallery
This museum, located in the heart of the city, celebrates the social history and visual arts of the Canberra region. An eclectic collection of artworks and a changing exhibition program ensure that all tastes are catered for. The gallery shop has a range of books and locally produced wares and the cafe serves fine coffee.
Corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City;
Open Tue-Thurs 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm Sat-Sun 12-5pm
Ph: 6207 3968
www.museumsandgalleries.act.gov.au

City Walk
The retail heart of the city centres around an interconnected set of malls, anchored by retailers David Jones and Grace Bros located in the huge Canberra Centre. Shops are open until 9pm on Fridays.
City Walk, Canberra;
Shops trade daily

CSIRO Discovery
Discovery is set adjacent to working research laboratories and contains an exhibition hall and virtual reality theatre, spectacular atrium and cafeteria. A visit to Discover is a must for all people serious about Australia's achievements in science and innovation.
Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain;
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm including Public Holidays
Ph: 6246 4646
www.discovery.csiro.au

Gorman House Arts Centre
This includes five small theatres, workshops, an exhibition space, artists' studios, offices and the impressive new restaurant, Sage.
Ainslie Avenue, Braddon;
Opening hours vary
Ph: 6249 7377

Mt Ainslie Lookout
Arguably Canberra's best views are on offer here, particularly the vista over the Australian War Memorial, along Anzac Parade, towards Capital Hill.
Mt Ainslie Drive, Mt Ainslie;
Open daily

National Capital Exhibition
Set on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, this state-of-the-art exhibition and its pleasant surrounds is a good place to begin a tour of Canberra. Exhibits here tell the story of the national capital, including Aboriginal occupation, the arrival of European settlers, the controversial selection of the site nearly 100 years ago and winning architect Walter Burley Griffin's unique design. It also traces Canberra's rapid growth into one of the world's great planned cities. Early maps, rare photographs and innovative interactive displays, including a hi-tech laser model of the city, explain its past in six languages. The restaurant and cafe look out over the lake.
Regatta Point;
Open daily 9am-5pm
Ph: 6257 1068
www.nationalcapital.gov.au

National Museum of Australia
There are no dusty cabinets or fading exhibits at this innovative museum. Modern technology and hands-on interactive exhibitions present the social history of Australia and its people. The aim of the museum is to explore what it means to be Australian, showcasing such Aussie icons as the ubiquitous Hill's Hoist and Vegemite. 'Tangled Destinies' explores the relationship between people and the land and 'Horizons' reveals the story of Australian immigration. The 'First Australians' gallery puts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history in perspective. There literally is something for everyone at this dynamic museum and the colourful building, with its diversely angled walls and engaging outdoors is an attraction in itself. There is an excellent cafe and the museum shop sells a wide range of contemporary crafts.
Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 1800 026 132
www.nma.gov.au

National Zoo & Aquarium
Experience The ZooVenture Tour, an extraordinary tour that gives visitors an insight into the animals and keepers world. Feed and possibly touch lions, tigers, tigons (a cross between a lion and a tiger) sun bears, brown bears, monkeys, dingoes and much more. The two-hour tour costs $95 per adult (weekdays) children $45. Bookings are essential. The new Meet a Cheetah experience ($150 per person) and the Animal Action Tour ($49) are great additional choices. Be sure to visit the large range of native animals and exotic animals and aquarium exhibits such as ocean and freshwater fish. Check out the schedules for Keeper Talks at www.zooquarium.com.au.
Lady Denman Drive, Scrivener Dam;
Open daily 9am-5pm
Ph: 6287 8400

ScreenSound Australia
Screen and radio nostalgia buffs will find plenty of Australian audiovisual heritage here. Interactive exhibitions, radio and television programs and screenings, an excellent library, and regular live presentations all combine to make this a memorable destination. Some of the most popular computer presentations are those of early TV advertisements. Favourite screen and television shows are available on video and DVD from the shop as well as a range of books and posters. The cafe offers luncheon snacks and drinks.
McCoy Circuit, Acton;
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm
Ph: 6248 2000
www.screensound.gov.au