Canberra is a fantastic place for a mini break with the family. Only four hours from Sydney, there is so much to see and do. Here are our favourite places to visit, eat and stay in Canberra with kids.

Eat, Stay and Play in Canberra with kids

This post is in collaboration with The Sebel

Where to visit in Canberra

There are so many fun places in Canberra – where to start! Here are my five favourite places.

Questacon

Questacon is our number one thing to do in Canberra! It’s our National Science and Technology Museum and it’s so hands on and fantastic for all ages. It’s a multifloored, interactive space where kids can learn principles of science, technology and maths. See how light works, how sound travels, what causes an earthquake, and how does it feel? Watch how you can change the speed and direction of objects and so much more. The kids are mad for it and we all love it too!

Cockington Green Gardens

Cockington Green Gardens is a world in miniature! These amazing gardens feature miniature replicas of buildings from around the world. Visit 30 different countries, ride the tiny train, pack a picnic and enjoy the play area. There is also a café serving afternoon tea and treats and a beautiful display of miniature doll houses.

Corin Forest

If you visit Canberra in winter head to Corin forest to give the kids a snow experience. Perfect for families that aren’t snow regulars, Corin Forest gives you the opportunity to experience snow on a smaller scale. Book in for a 2.5-hour snow play session and hire everything you need there. You can build snowmen, toboggan and even take skiing lessons. And if you have a dog, they have their very own snow play area! The snow play area runs from spring til mid-October every year.

Floriade

Every spring Canberra puts on a giant flower festival known as Floriade. There are thousands of bulbs on display, as well as activities and entertainment for the whole family. Floriade runs for a month, over September/October, and includes night activities and events.

National Dinosaur Museum

The National Dinosaur Museum is the perfect place for your dinosaur mad little one. Visit the Dinosaur Garden – a landscaped garden with fiberglass dinosaur replicas. You can meet Stan, the giant, 6-meter-high, 20-meter-long dinosaur at the entrance, and see all the inside exhibits as well. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch on their full covered deck.

Where to Stay in Canberra

Our top pick of places to stay is The Sebel Canberra Civic Hotel. This beautiful accommodation offers luxury serviced apartments in Canberra CBD and they are perfect for families. I always prefer an apartment over a hotel room when I’m travelling with the kids because a kitchen is a must! I love being able to pick up groceries rather than relying on restaurants, takeaway and hotel food all the time.

The Sebel is brand new and right in the CBD, so it’s the perfect location for accessing all our favourite places. It’s 5-star luxury but really affordable, with a family apartment that sleeps four averaging around $199 a night on weekends, including breakfast! Stay fit at their on-site gym and dine in at their On London restaurant for a delicious family dinner. Check their website for exact prices here.

Where to Eat in Canberra

There are so many amazing places to eat in Canberra. Here are my three faves:

Space Kitchen

This place is spectacular! Their creations are amazing, and they are the Winner of Best Breakfast ACT 2017. They are definitely worth visiting. Their coloured waffles are famous!

Guild

Guild is a pizza restaurant that’s perfect for kids. They serve amazing pizza and they also have board games you can play for free and for hire. So, grab some games and some pizzas and spend the evening hanging out with the kids for a fun family night.

Old Canberra Inn

This family pub is great for the history lovers. The inn is full of historic photos and it has a play area for the kids. Sit indoors or outdoors and enjoy live music on the weekends. They have a $10 kid’s menu that includes ice cream – so the kids will love it!

Where is your favourite place to go in Canberra?