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The Ultimate Day Trips from Canberra
Canberra is the only Australian capital within easy reach of snow, surf, vineyards and bushland in the same week. This is our standing list of the day trips worth the drive, with the season we'd recommend and what to do once you arrive.
- 1
Snowy Mountains and Thredbo
Australia's highest country sits closer to Canberra than to any other capital. Thredbo and Perisher run lifts through the winter, then pivot to chairlift hikes, bike trails and trout rivers from October.
- Kosciuszko summit walk from the Thredbo chairlift
- Yarrangobilly thermal pool, a constant 27 degrees year round
- Lake Crackenback and Jindabyne for lakeside dining
- 2
Southern Highlands
Bowral, Berrima and Mittagong deliver the closest taste of English countryside Australia offers. Cellar doors, sandstone villages and Saturday markets fill an easy day out of Canberra.
- Tulip Time festival each September in Bowral
- Lunch in historic Berrima, settled in 1831
- Fitzroy Falls in Morton National Park
- 3
Batemans Bay and the South Coast
The capital's beach. The Clyde River meets the Pacific at Batemans Bay, with Murramarang National Park north and Mogo Wildlife Park inland. Pelican Point and Broulee Island are the local favourites.
- Pebbly Beach kangaroos at sunrise
- Clyde River oysters straight from the lease
- Mogo village arts and craft strip
- 4
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
The closest proper bush day out from the city. Tidbinbilla holds koalas, platypus, brumbies and the Birrigai rock shelter, plus the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex on the way home.
- Platypus pools at dusk on the Sanctuary loop
- Mountain Creek picnic ground and gentle walks
- NASA tracking station free museum and cafe
- 5
Murrumbateman and Yass wine country
Canberra District wine sits at altitude, which means crisp Riesling and elegant Shiraz. Clonakilla, Helm and Eden Road anchor a cellar door run that ends with dinner back in town.
- Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier tastings
- Poachers Pantry smokehouse lunch
- Yass historic main street
- 6
Braidwood and the Clyde
A heritage listed gold rush town that has become the capital's favourite lunch stop. Cafes, antique shops and the Braidwood Bakery before dropping down the Clyde Mountain to the coast.
- Dojo Bread sourdough and Braidwood pies
- Mona Farm gardens by appointment
- Bungendore Wood Works Gallery on the way
- 7
Lake George and the Federal Highway
Australia's strangest lake; sometimes vast, sometimes a paddock. The Bungendore wind farm lookout and Collector's pubs make a low effort half day with very local character.
- Weereewa lookout above the lake
- Lerida Estate cellar door
- Collector Hotel, a proper country pub
- 8
Namadgi and Mount Ginini
The ACT's own alpine park. Granite tors, sub alpine snow gum forest, Aboriginal heritage sites and some of the darkest night skies within easy reach of any Australian capital.
- Mount Franklin Road in autumn
- Yankee Hat rock art walk
- Astronomy nights at Mount Ginini
Planning notes
Fuel up before leaving Canberra; ranges between Cooma, Braidwood and Yass are limited on weekends. The Kings Highway down the Clyde is single lane in places and slows sharply in wet weather. For snow country, check NPWS road status before you go and carry chains between June and October.