City guide

Canberra

Canberra is the capital city of Australia and the largest population centre in the Australian Capital Territory. With an estimated population of 484,630 as of 2025, Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city by population.

Type CityPopulation 484,630

Why go

  • Capital city of Australia.
  • Served by Goulburn Airport (GUL).

History

Canberra is the capital city of Australia and the largest population centre in the Australian Capital Territory. With an estimated population of 484,630 as of 2025, Canberra is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest Australian city by population. The city occupies most of the northern quadrant of the Australian Capital Territory, and its urban sprawl borders the state of New South Wales to the northwest, northeast and southeast. The Brindabellas are located south and west of the city, and form the northern part of the Australian Alps, the country's highest mountain range.

Restaurants & places to go

Cafe · Opening hours: Mo,Tu 07:30-16:30; We 07:30-20:30; Th,Fr 07:30-21:00; Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 08:00-15:00 · tilleys.com.au
Indoor
Lebanese, Restaurant · Lebanese Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: vegan options · 222 City Walk · azimarestaurant.au
Indoor
Mexican, Cafe · Californian themed cafe Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-14:00 Features: vegan options · catbirdcanberra.com.au
Indoor
Burger, Chicken, Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Pizza, Fish And Chips, Turkish, Fried Chicken, Australian, Coffee, Fast Food · Classic Australian takeaway food with… · menulog.com.au
Indoor
Burger, Sandwich, Restaurant · Received controversial attention after newspaper articles about it were published e.g.… · doubledrummer.com.au
Indoor
Filipino, Restaurant · Filipino restaurant open Thursday to Sunday. Customers can order online and pick-up at the restaurant if they wish. LGBTQ+ friendly.… · loloandlola.com.au
Indoor
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Modern Australian Opening hours: Mo-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr-Su 12:00-21:00 Features: vegetarian options · rebelrebeldining.com.au
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Cafe at the National Library of Australia. Breakfast served till 11:00 Lunch also served Opening hours: Mo-Th 08:30-18:00; Fr 08:30-16:00;… · nla.gov.au
Indoor

292 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Canberra Airport (CBR) 4.7 km to the centre
Canberra, ACT, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (Qantas, Virgin Australia, American Airlines) · direct flights to 6 destinations incl. Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Coolangatta… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 6 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Goulburn Airport (GUL) 77 km to the centre
NSW, AU — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Gundaroo Airport 30 km to the centre
NSW, AU
Outdoor
Currandooley Airport 34 km to the centre
Currandooley, NSW, AU
Outdoor
Wee Jasper Airport 46 km to the centre
Wee Jasper, NSW, AU
Outdoor
Bakblok Airport 48 km to the centre
NSW, AU
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
October – March

The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.

Shoulder season
April – May, September

Milder and quieter, with better value.

Worth avoiding
June – August

The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Goulburn Airport (GUL); 13 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: CBR has direct flights to 6 destinations on 3 airlines (incl. Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Coolangatta…).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Canberra. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Public transit · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

About three and a half hours to the capital. · Sydney, Australia guide →

Tours & experiences