Canberra's most moving attraction is the Australian War Memorial. The huge Byzantine-style monument honours Australia's war casualties and was unveiled in the middle of WWII. However, it is more than just a war memorial. The complex has a fantastic museum, archives, art gallery, and library.

The Commemorative Courtyard at the memorial's entry is a disturbing introduction. The names of every Australian who has died in war since 1885 are inscribed in bronze on the walls of the colonnades, and the list is spine-chilling. Various galleries outside the entryway retell the stories of Australia's armed wars from colonial times to the present. The exhibitions are continually changing, but highlights include an ancient aircraft collection and a kid-friendly Discovery Zone filled with interactive displays.

Set aside several hours if possible to appreciate this thought-provoking memorial, and if you're going at the end of the day, try to stay for the Last Post, a touching homage to the deceased played everyday at 4:55pm. One of the greatest free things to do in Canberra is to visit the memorial, and the 90-minute tours are highly recommended.

Google rating: 4.8/5.0

Address: Treloar Crescent (top of ANZAC Parade), Campbell

Official site: awm.gov.au

New Parliament House, the final realization of architect Walter Burley Griffin's vision for Canberra in 1912, is a modern architectural marvel. The boomerang-shaped structure nestles comfortably into Capital Hill and was built to replace the Provisional Parliament House, now known as Old Parliament House, at the bottom of the hill.

An worldwide competition was won by a New York-based architect for the design of the new building, and the Queen officially opened Parliament House on May 9, 1988. The May date was chosen to commemorate the first Federal Parliament sitting in Melbourne in 1901 and the first gathering in the Old Parliament House in 1927.

From the roof's broad grassed walkway, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Canberra and witness how Parliament serves as the primary focus of the city's street system. The two massive circular granite walls that mirror the curvature of the hill, the towering 81-meter flagpole, and the Ceremonial Pool are architectural highlights of the edifice. In the lobby, 48 lighted greenish-gray marble columns create the illusion of a eucalyptus forest. Exhibits in the public areas present historic documents (like the Magna Carta) and retrace significant events in Australian history.

From the gallery that wraps around the first floor, you can get access to the public galleries of the green-hued House of Representatives and the red-clad Senate. A visit during session hours is a terrific way to see how parliament works firsthand, and the free guided tours provide intriguing information about the architecture. Following your visit, you can continue the 3.5-kilometer Parliament House Walk to the city center, where interpretative signs will teach you about the Parliamentary Triangle.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

Address: Parliament House, Canberra
Official site: aph.gov.au

The 50-hectare National Botanic Gardens, located about a kilometer west of the city center, are a must-see for green thumbs. These well kept collections, spread throughout the slopes of Black Mountain, display a variety of varied habitats and present all of the important species of Australian flora. Children will also enjoy themselves here.

The Rain Forest Gully is quite beautiful. Water dragons can be found among the luxuriant greenery. The Red Centre garden, with deep red dirt and a spinifex grassland, and the Children's Discovery Walk are further attractions. Birds and butterflies can also be found in the gardens.

You may enter Black Mountain Nature Park from the gardens and trek to the summit for spectacular city views. Are you looking for other Canberra gardens to visit? A six-minute drive away, you'll also appreciate exploring the National Arboretum Canberra. The National Bonsai and Penjing collection, a Gallery of Gardens, picnic spaces with panoramic views, and a magnificent children's playground are all part of this 250-hectare nature reserve. If you're seeking for inexpensive things to do in Canberra, this is a great alternative. The gardens are free to enter, although there is a nominal cost to park in the on-site lot.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

Location: Clunies Ross Street, Acton
Official site: anbg.gov.au/gardens/index.html

The National Gallery of Australia, located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, houses Australia's biggest art collection. Queen Elizabeth II opened the cubic concrete edifice in October 1982, and it includes 11 main galleries on three levels, as well as a vast Sculpture Garden planned out according to the four seasons and a Fern Garden.

The enormous collection was acquired in 1968 and comprises pieces from Australia, Asia, Europe, America, and the Pacific, as well as the world's biggest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles, purchased in 1973 and now one of the gallery's most famous works, is among the museum's collection.

Oil paints and watercolors are among the mediums used, as are sculpture, ornamental art, sketches, book illustrations, sketchbooks, photography, films, ceramics, costumes, and textiles. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy the numerous unique exhibitions. Following your exploration of the gallery, you can pay a visit to the adjacent High Court of Australia, which features beautiful fountains, Carrara marble-paved floors, and murals.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

Location: Parkes Place, Parkes
Official site: nga.gov.au/Default.cfm

Canberra's focal point is Burley Griffin. This artificial lake, named for the city's creator, was included in his initial 1912 concept but didn't come to completion until 1958. It is now a magnificent environment for a variety of outdoor sports. The National Carillon, a gift from the British government with 55 bronze bells, is located on Aspen Island, the largest of the six islands. Some of Canberra's greatest attractions, such as the National Gallery, National Library, Questacon, and National Museum, are scattered around the lake.

Standing on the central basin's borders, you can observe the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a 147-meter-high fountain dedicated in 1970 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Cook's exploration of Australia. A globe sculpture reflecting the path of Cook's travels can be found on the lake's shoreline at Regatta Point. Commonwealth Park, located on the north side of the lake, is an excellent area to take children. There are play areas, paddling pools, waterfalls, an amphitheater, and a trail that around the park. In the spring, the park hosts the famed Floriade festival, a spring celebration with over a million flowers in bloom.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0
Location: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Official site: nca.gov.au/attractions/lake-burley-griffin

The Museum of Australian Democracy is located within a short walk from New Parliament House at the base of Capital Hill. You can not only learn about the history of this National Heritage-listed building, but also about the vital foundations of Australia's government.

The building was opened by the Duke of York (later King George VI) in 1927 and was occupied by the Australian Parliament until 1988, when New Parliament House was officially opened. It was once known as the Provisional Parliament House, and it served as a temporary construction until a permanent structure could be developed and built - a feat accomplished 61 years later.

The museum serves as a time capsule. You can learn about prior Australian Prime Ministers, visit the Press Room, and study historical documents. The House of Representatives and Senate chambers are styled after the British Houses of Commons and Lords, with woodwork and furnishings made of Australian timbers and wall hangings depicting Australian flora. The kid-friendly exhibitions and free daily craft activities will appeal to parents. You stroll around the National Rose Gardens after visiting the building. Free guided tours help you make the most of your time here, and there's also an intriguing Indigenous Experiences of Democracy trip.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes
Official site: moadoph.gov.au

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is a 434-hectare protected area on Lake Burley Griffin's northern shore. The reserve is dominated by Black Mountain, a towering hill 812 meters above sea level capped by a 195-meter tower. The reserve includes numerous walking trails with views of the bush capital.

Black Mountain Nature Reserve is part of a large region of woodland vegetation that includes the nature reserves of Aranda Bushland, O'Connor Ridge, Bruce Ridge, Mount Painter, and The Pinnacle. These reserves connect, allowing animals to travel through to the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers.

Walking routes wind through the forest, where you can spot many different types of local birds and fauna, including wallabies. The popular 2.7-kilometer (one-way) Black Mountain Summit Trail leads to Telstra Tower, where you may enjoy panoramic views of the city. The Australian Institute of Sport, located at the foot of Black Mountain, is a training facility for Australia's top athletes, complete with a swimming stadium and tennis center.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Black Mountain Drive, Acton

Official site: parks.act.gov.au/find-a-park/canberra-nature-park/black-mountain-nature-reserve

The Royal Australian Mint is a Commonwealth Government body that operates within the Treasury portfolio and is the exclusive maker of all circulating coins in Australia. The Mint is located on Denison St in the Deakin area of Canberra, Australia's federal capital city. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, inaugurated the Mint in 1965.

Prior to the establishment of the Australian Mint, Australian coins were produced at the Sydney Mint, the Melbourne Mint, and the Perth Mint. As a result, the Royal Australian Mint was the first mint in Australia to be independent of the British Royal Mint, which was a British government organization in the United Kingdom.

From a gallery, you may see the production of coins, learn about the history of Australian coins through a video presentation and multimedia displays, and find some of Australia's rarest coins. Looking for something different to do in Canberra? Create your own $1 coin. Titan, the mint's money-making robot, can also be met. Monday through Friday, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., take advantage of the free tour. A modest museum with a souvenir store is located in the Mint's lobby.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Denison Street, Deakin
Official site: ramint.gov.au

Jerrabomberra Wetland ranks 9th in the list of best places to visit in Canberra. Craving a nature fix while you're in the city? Drive eight minutes from the city center to Jerrabomberra Wetland, and you can be wandering through tranquil wetlands listening to the sounds of nature. Ironically, this bird-rich wetland was created when Lake Burley Griffin was filled, causing the water table to rise on the Molonglo River floodplain.

If you're an avid birder, you're in luck. You'll find more than 170 different species here, including the purple swamphen, black swans, eastern rosellas, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. Bird hides make it easy to spot some of the more skittish species. Boardwalks, walking tracks, and signs make it easy to explore this urban oasis, and bird-watching tours and other specialist talks enhance a visit. You can also explore three different trails and learn more about the unique features of the wetland by downloading a free app.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Dairy Road, Fyshwick ACT
Official site: jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au

National Library of Australia ranks 10th in the list of best places to visit in Canberra. The National Library of Australia, which opened in 1968, is a treasure resource of Australian books, manuscripts, newspapers, historic documents, oral history, music, and images. Captain Cook's logbook (1768-71) and Wills' diary from his journey with Burke in 1860-61 are among its most prized artifacts.

Architecturally, the structure stands in stark contrast to the National Gallery and the High Court. Built in the manner of a Greek temple, the extensive use of marble and travertine on the columns and walls adds to the classical look. The interior was extensively decorated with marble from Greece, Italy, and Australia.

Leonard French's stained-glass windows and three Aubusson tapestries made from Australian wool grace the foyer. The Treasures Gallery on the bottom floor presents highlights from the library's collection, while the Exhibitions Gallery hosts unique visiting exhibits, which often require advance scheduling.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Parkes Place, Parkes
Official site: nla.gov.au