Canberra Activities

Canberra activities cover treetop courses, alpine slides, snow play, self-drive boats on Lake Burley Griffin, alpaca farms and evening tours, so the capital works as a weekend of doing things rather than looking at them. This page sorts the options by the kind of day you want, and every one links through to session details. For the wider picture, see things to do in Canberra.

Treetop and forest adventures

The Treetops Adventure course at Majura Pines is a 2.5-hour session on progressively harder levels, with aerial obstacles, suspension bridges, flying foxes and a leap from about 20 metres up. Instructors run the safety training and provide the equipment, though gloves are bought at the park. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you can move in, and note that people who are not climbing can join the day for free.

Younger kids have their own course. The junior tree ropes course runs at the same Majura Pines park, with three courses built for little climbers while parents supervise from the ground.

Alpine slide and snow play at Corin Forest

Corin Forest, a 45-minute drive south-west of the city at Paddys River, sells two different days out. The alpine slide session starts with a 15-minute safety briefing, tows you to the top, then gives you a 45-minute ride down 1.2km of track at whatever speed suits you. Covered shoes are required, and long sleeves and pants are encouraged.

The 90-minute snow play session is a seasonal experience with a toboggan each and jacket, pants and snow boots hired as part of the booking. Arrive early to be fitted for the clothing, bring a dry change of clothes, and finish with a hot chocolate at the on-site cafe.

Self-drive boat hire on Lake Burley Griffin

Boat hire on Lake Burley Griffin is the easiest activity to organise for a group. The electric picnic boats leave Kingston Marina, carry up to eight passengers, and need no licence or experience, with a safety briefing and a map of the landmarks included.

The 1-hour hire and the 2-hour hire use the same boats as the longer hires, so the choice is about time on the water. A picnic table and cup holders mean you can bring lunch, and the route passes Parliament House, the National Carillon, the High Court, the National Library, the Australian War Memorial and the Captain Cook Memorial.

Alpaca farm activities near Canberra

Blackwattle Alpaca Farm is at Murrumbateman, just across the New South Wales border. The 90-minute alpaca adventure pairs you with your own alpaca or llama for a guided walk around the farm and dam, then a hand-feeding session and morning tea with the cake of the day.

If food is the draw, the alpaca brunch serves a cooked breakfast among the herd, and tells you to flag dietary needs when booking. The 2-hour boho alpaca picnic is made for two, with a 30-minute stroll, a 30-minute feeding session and a picnic platter. Flat, fully enclosed shoes suit all of them.

Evening and night activities

The guided stargazing session is a 90-minute riverside night with an astronomer, binoculars, telescope viewing in season, warm blankets, moon chairs and hot chocolate, on the Murrumbidgee River a 25-minute drive west of the city. Bring a warm jacket, and a beanie, gloves and scarf in winter.

For wildlife after dark, the Mulligans Flat twilight tour starts at the Wildbark Visitor Centre in Throsby and spends a 2.5-hour evening spotlighting in a sanctuary that protects native and endangered species from predators. Tours run in light rain and are cancelled in heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, extreme heat and high winds.

Wine and brewery activities

The Murrumbateman winery tour is a full-day weekend trip with tastings at up to six boutique wineries, a two-course lunch and pick-up points in the city. If you have an afternoon, the 4-hour brewery, winery and distillery tour visits three producers from BentSpoke Brewing Co in Braddon. The full range sits under Canberra food and drink experiences.

Choosing by who is coming

Families with young children can mix the junior ropes course, snow play and the alpaca farms. Couples tend to choose the picnic boat, the stargazing night or the picnic for two. Groups of friends, up to eight, can share a boat, and bigger groups have the winery and brewery tours. Check each product page for weather rules.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best activities in Canberra for adults?

Adults aged 18 and over can book a winery tour to Murrumbateman, a brewery, winery and distillery tour from Braddon, a self-drive boat on Lake Burley Griffin, guided stargazing, or the adult courses at Treetops Adventure Canberra.

What activities are in Canberra with kids?

Kids can do the junior tree ropes course at Majura Pines (ages three to seven), the alpine slide and snow play at Corin Forest, and the alpaca farm experiences at Murrumbateman. Boat hire suits whole families too.

How long does the Treetops Adventure Canberra course take?

The Treetops Adventure Canberra adult course is a 2.5-hour session at Majura Pines, with a choice of five adult courses for ages eight and up.

Do I need a licence to hire a boat on Lake Burley Griffin?

No. The electric picnic boats from Kingston Marina need no licence or boating experience, and each boat carries up to eight passengers.

What can I do in Canberra at night?

Canberra night activities include guided stargazing on the Murrumbidgee River and a twilight spotlighting tour of Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary.

What can I do in Canberra this weekend?

The Murrumbateman winery tour runs on weekends and the alpaca farm experiences run on selected days from Friday to Sunday. Check each product page for current sessions.

Pick the day that suits who is coming, check the session times and book online. More ideas for the capital are on the main Canberra things to do page.