Canberra's Best Family Attractions

Post

Subscribe

Posted 2013-03-04 by Ivana Katz ⇒ follow

I recently had an opportunity to visit Canberra as part of the Human Brochure experience. ACT Tourism had organised some of the best family attractions for us to see and explore. Our group included families with young children as well as older kids and all of the places we visited had plenty of activities suitable for children of all ages. So if you are starting to plan fun things to do during the next school holiday, why not consider Canberra as your destination?

Australian War Memorial
Address: Treloar Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612
Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm daily

The Australian War Memorial is a world class museum that commemorates wars in which Australians fought and died. Exhibitions cover everything from World War 1 until the present time. Stories of soldiers are told through art, photography, aircraft and personal items. Some of the highlights include the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Hall of Valour and Anzac Hall, where you can watch Striking by Night, an amazing recreation of a night operation over Berlin in 1943.

You can explore the museum by yourself or join a 90 minute or 45 minute tour offered by the Memorial's volunteer guides. For children, the Discovery Zone is a must visit, as it provides an amazing hands on learning experience, where visitors can see, touch, listen and smell through five different areas that replicate the living conditions of wars. Visit Australian War Memorial Website #awmemorial

Australian Institute of Sport
Address: Leverrier Crescent, Bruce
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 5pm daily

The Australian Institute of Sport is Australia's leading sports training institution, and offers behind the scenes tours with top athletes who are happy to answer questions and share stories about how they live and train. You will see the pool, where champion swimmers train, the gymnastics centre, strength and conditioning hall, plus a unique exhibition of memorabilia. Children (and adults) will love Sportex – an interactive part of the Institute, where you can try your hand at wheelchair basketball, downhill skiing, rock climbing, soccer shootouts and much more. Visit Australian Institute of Sport Website #ais

National Museum of Australia
Address: Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula

The National Museum of Australia is a place to learn about the real, surprising and inspirational objects from Australia's history, including Phar Lap's heart, the Holden Protoype, bark paintings used by Aboriginal artists and over 200,000 other historical items. The musem offers plenty of hands on experiences for young and old. Visit the Discovery Space and build your own bamboo raft, then have photos taken with a tropical background or venture out to Kspace and design your own future house, which you can then see on 3D Screen. Visit National Museum of Australia Website #Nat_Museum_Aust

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre
Address: King Edward Terrace, Canberra
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Questacon offers more than 200 interactive science and technology exhibits in eight themed galleries including:
- Deep Oceans, which answers whether sea monsters really exist;
- Mathamazing with playful puzzles and other mathematics;
- Excite@Q – scientific phenomena;
- Q Lab – designed to inspire your inner scientist
and many more.

Experience an earthquake, see lightning created before your eyes, or free fall on a six metre vertical slide. Questacon also has its own science theatre which allows you to sit back and watch crashes and explosions as you enjoy the fun and excitement of live science demonstrations.

Visit Questacon website #Questacon

Museum of Australian Democracy
18 King George Terrace, Parkes
Opening Hours: 9am – 5pm

Housed at the Old Parliament house, this is the first and only museum dedicated to sharing the story of Australian democracy. It tells the amazing real life stories of ordinary people who have shaped our society. For children the museum offers Hands On Democracy, an exhibition which asks questions, inspires creativity and invites kids to join in, take turns and share their ideas. They can also take part in Children's Trail, finding clues and by answering them, explore the whole museum. Children can also play dress up and learn through multimedia resources and have the opportunity to see the world from someone else's perspective. Visit Museum of Australian Democracy website #MOAD_Canberra

For family friendly accommodation you can't go past Adina Apartments, which offer centrally located spacious accommodation at James Court. Choose from one or two bedroom apartments, each with its only fully equipped kitchen including oven, stove top, microwave and dishwasher, fridge, cutlery and crockery. The bathroom includes spa bath and shower and you even have your own private laundry with a washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board. Each apartment also includes two flat screen TVs, airconditioning and dining room table.

Reception staff are very helpful and friendly and go out of their way to make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
The hotel has an outdoor heated swimming pool and spa, sauna, gymnasium and BBQ area. You will also find a hair salon, car hire company and McDonalds on site.

For more information visit Adina Apartment Hotels website .