Australian Capital Territory accommodation from AU$116

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has some of the best spots to tap into Australia’s rich history, culture, nature and cuisine. With perfectly designed Canberra as your base, you can take in the country’s most impressive monuments, museums and institutions and then head out to explore wineries, nature reserves and national parks.

So the attractions cover everything that’s fun, cool and interesting but what about ACT accommodation? Well, it may just exceed your wildest dreams: you can feed a giraffe from your balcony, take a bath next to a bear or have a lion join you at the dinner table. And this is all at just one place — the Jamala Wildlife Lodge of the National Zoo & Aquarium. Don’t worry, there’s less adventurous accommodation options too. Go for glitz in a 5 star Canberra hotel, or explore further afield in Queanbeyan.

Exploring the ACT

Get a good overview of Australia’s ancient and recent history in just a few days while staying in Canberra. From the Mount Ainslie lookout you can see how Lake Burley Griffin forms the heart of Canberra. The man-made lake is part of the National Triangle, which takes in Parliament House, the High Court, the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Australia.

The impressive Australian War Memorial and Questacon in the National Science and Technology Centre are must-do attractions for kids, and adults with inquisitive minds.

Canberra’s dining scene reflects the city’s strong multicultural vibe. For a taste of this diversity, head to the Sunday Markets in the Old Bus Depot or The Hamlet, Braddon's quirky food truck village. Lonsdale is Canberra’s informal Eat Street, where fresh Australian and Asian ingredients are taken to a whole new level of goodness by innovative chefs.

Right on the city’s edge sit the National Arboretum and the Australian National Botanic Gardens, two natural treasure troves. The trails of Namadgi National Park take you high up in the mountains for knock-out views.

Getting to the ACT

Book your ACT accommodation along with your flights to Canberra to explore the capital of Australia. Most Australian capital cities have daily flights to Canberra and it’s three hours from Sydney by car. There’s also a direct rail service from Sydney, with scenic views along the way.

Need insider tips on must-see attractions in Australian Capital Territory? Check out our Australian Capital Territory travel guide!