Most capital cities make you work for their attractions, spreading them far enough apart that you lose half your visit to travel. Canberra is the perfect exception. The national galleries, the memorials, the parks and the dining precincts sit within a short walk or a few minutes’ drive of the centre, so a weekend here gives you more than the map lets on. 

That closeness is the advantage of staying in the CBD: a morning among world-class art collections, lunch back in Civic, and the afternoon still open.

This article covers the best Canberra attractions near the CBD, from the tourist draws most people arrive for to the quieter places locals keep to themselves. Crowne Plaza Canberra sits in the middle of it, in Civic, alongside the National Convention Centre and a short stroll from Glebe Park and the lake.

At a Glance: Key Attractions from the CBD

Here are the tourist attractions in Canberra most visitors prioritise, and how close each sits to Civic:

Where to Begin in Civic

Civic is the commercial and cultural centre of Canberra and also the easiest base for exploring on foot. These city attractions in Canberra are what make Civic such a good base, and within a short walking distance you have:

• Canberra Centre, the city’s largest shopping complex and a practical first stop before you set out
• Glebe Park, a pocket of green in the middle of the city with quiet paths that suit an easy morning walk
• City Walk and Petrie Plaza, the pedestrian heart of Civic, home to a heritage merry-go-round that was built in 1914 and has turned in Petrie Plaza since 1974
• The Canberra Theatre Centre in Civic Square, the city’s main stage for touring and local productions, a couple of minutes from your door

Local Insight: Duck into Tocumwal Lane, a laneway tucked between the buildings near Bunda Street. Since 2015, local artists have covered the walls with a rotating set of superhero-themed murals and stencils. Most visitors walk straight past the entrance. It takes five minutes to see and costs nothing.

The National Institutions, Only Minutes Away

The attractions in Canberra that make most itineraries cluster around Lake Burley Griffin, a short drive or bus ride south of Civic.

Galleries and Science by the Lake

The National Gallery of Australia holds more than 155,000 works, including the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, and entry to the permanent collection is free. It sits about two kilometres from the city centre, a four-minute drive or a direct bus every ten minutes, so accommodation near the National Gallery Canberra rarely means more than a quick hop from the CBD. Give yourself a couple of hours and finish in the lakeside Sculpture Garden.

Next door, the National Portrait Gallery traces the country’s history through its faces, and the two galleries pair naturally into a single morning. A short distance along the lake, Questacon draws families with more than 200 interactive science exhibits, one of the more popular activities in Canberra if you are travelling with children.

The War Memorial and Parliament House

To the north, the Australian War Memorial anchors the far end of Anzac Parade, around two kilometres from the Canberra Centre. The galleries alone can fill half a day, and the Last Post Ceremony, held late each afternoon before the Memorial closes and honouring a single name from the Roll of Honour, is among the most moving things to do in Canberra. Guests looking for hotels near the Australian War Memorial will find the CBD puts them within a few minutes’ drive. 

Parliament House completes the set, with free entry and free guided tours running throughout the day, including regular short tours through the chambers and architecture.

Local Insight: If political history interests you, the gardens flanking Old Parliament House, now the Museum of Australian Democracy, are among the calmest corners of the Parliamentary Triangle. Rose beds, wisteria walkways and almost no crowds. A slightly longer walk than the galleries, but an easy addition once you are across the lake.

Parks, Lake Views and the Best Lookout in Canberra

You do not need to leave the city centre to reach the water. The Lake Burley Griffin foreshore is a 10 to 15 minute walk from Civic, with flat paths for walking and cycling and clear views across to Parliament House.

Local Insight: For the view everyone photographs, drive up to the Mount Ainslie lookout behind the War Memorial. Most people go at sunset. Come at sunrise instead, and you will have the sightline down Anzac Parade largely to yourself, with the early light running across the city below.

If you can spare a little more time, Lennox Gardens on the lake’s southern edge holds two formal gardens honouring Canberra’s sister cities in China and Japan, with cherry blossoms and a Japanese gazebo. Every October the gardens host the Nara Candle Festival, during which thousands of candles light the space after dark.

Where to Eat and Drink

The streets around Civic and Braddon are full of places to eat, but on most nights you will not need to go far at all. Crowne Plaza Canberra serves dinner and drinks a short walk from your room.

Redsalt Restaurant is the hotel’s signature restaurant, open daily for buffet breakfast and à la carte dinner. The menu leans toward modern Australian, built around a grill and locally sourced produce, with a dining room that overlooks Glebe Park.

Lume Bar is the hotel’s main bar, open from 4 pm, serving cocktails, wine, beer, and a snack menu. If you expect to eat in more than once, the Stay & Dine package adds a daily dining credit you can put towards Redsalt, Lume Bar or room service.

A Central Base for a Short Stay

The case for staying central in Canberra comes down to time. From the CBD, the galleries and the War Memorial are minutes away by car, the lake is walkable, and you spend your visit seeing the city rather than crossing it.

Crowne Plaza Canberra sits in the heart of Civic, next to the National Convention Centre, a straightforward choice if your visit centres on an event or conference. For a leisure stay, our accommodation packages bundle a night with extras such as breakfast or dinner. If you are comparing accommodation near Canberra Centre, that central position lets you see the best of the city without having to travel far!