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Muslim-friendly guide: 5 days in Canberra
Australia’s capital city of Canberra is home to some of the country’s most significant cultural institutions, all wrapped in a swathe of wilderness where native animals and outdoor adventures await.
The must-do experiences
- Discover Australia’s native wildlife at Mulligans Flat
- Go foraging for prized truffles
- Float above the city in a hot air balloon
Day 1: An introduction to Canberra
Get your bearings exploring Canberra’s largest lake and most important building, then meet wildlife in their natural habitats.
Go for a spin around the lake
In Canberra, life revolves around the city’s centrepiece: Lake Burley Griffin. There are many ways to enjoy the lake. Join the locals and hire a bicycle to ride around the lake’s shores, or get out on the water atop a paddleboard.
Enjoy a tasty interlude
Enjoy lunch at Turkish Halal Pide House, which is not far from Australia's Parliament House. Here, you'll find Halal-friendly meals and flatbreads. To pray, visit the Sabah Al-Ahmad Mosque at the Canberra Islamic Centre.
Go behind the political scenes
Parliament House is the home of Australian politics, making it incredibly significant. Admire the stunning architecture from the outside, then take a guided tour of the interior to visit the must-see highlights, like the chamber of the Senate.
Meet native animals in the wild
Head to Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, located northeast of Canberra. Take a Twilight Tour to see unique Australian animals such as the eastern bettong, which disappeared from the landscape a century ago only to be reintroduced to Mulligans in 2012.
Day 2: Canberra’s cultural scene
Take to the sky on an epic balloon adventure – you’ll spot galleries and museums that you’ll explore later in the day.
Soar above the nation’s capital
Canberra’s skies fill with colourful hot air balloons each day at sunrise. Jump in a basket at dawn and set off to float over Lake Burley Griffin and Parliament House. It’s an invigorating way to start the day.
Taste expertly made coffee
Enjoy a delicious coffee from one of Canberra’s most popular brunch spots, The Cupping Room, and keep an eye out for some of Australia’s barista champions. Note The Cupping Room serves pork on its menu, but they have plentiful vegetarian options, too.
Enjoy a dose of culture
Spend the afternoon taking a deep dive into Australian history and culture at the National Gallery of Australia – home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal Australian artwork – and the National Museum of Australia.
Savour the flavours of Canberra
The hip suburb of Braddon is where you want to be for dinner. Check out Bamiyan restaurant for modern Afghani cuisine that’s completely Halal. For dessert, head straight to Gelato Messina, a much-loved Aussie establishment.
Day 3: Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Braddon
You don’t have to travel far to find yourself surrounded by native bushland. It’s a setting that has inspired many Australian designers, as you’ll see on a shopping spree.
Go wild in a nature reserve
Spot kangaroos, koalas, emus and the elusive platypus in natural surrounds at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, just a 40-minute drive south of the city centre. You can explore at your own pace or join insightful ranger-guided activities.
Stretch your legs on a scenic walk
Tidbinbilla borders Namadgi National Park, and both wildlife areas offer a number of walks on designated tracks. Namadgi National Park is part of the Australian Alps mountain range near Canberra; pack a picnic and visit the majestic Gibraltar Falls.
Shop Canberra’s trendy precincts
Discover original designers, stylish Australian fashions, handcrafted gifts and fantastic eateries in Canberra's Braddon precinct. After you’ve had your fill of shopping, fill your belly at Halal-friendly Indian restaurant, Darbar.
Day 4: Canberra’s culinary side
Rub shoulders with more of Canberra’s creatives, whether in a café or at a bustling market. Worked up an appetite? Truffles await in winter.
Start your day right
The 20-minute drive is worth it when you eat breakfast at Cafe Stepping Stone in Strathnairn. This vegetarian eatery offers training opportunities for migrant and refugee women, and after, you can explore the gallery space at Strathnairn Arts.
Get crafty in Canberra
If it’s a Sunday, visit the award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets to sample the freshest regional produce and find unique Australian souvenirs. Discover artisan glassware and create your own souvenir at the neighbouring Canberra Glassworks.
Sail away in style
Be your own captain and take to Lake Burley Griffin in your very own GoBoat. These sustainable (they’re electric and quiet as a whisper) and stylish picnic boats enable you to self-explore Canberra’s largest waterway while enjoying the city’s fresh air and big, blue skies.
Forage for truffles
If you're visiting in winter (June to August), you can indulge in rich, flavoursome truffles. You’ll follow the keen noses of truffle dogs at The Truffle Farm, then sit down for a decadent truffle-infused meal.
Attend a winter truffle fest
The Canberra region celebrates the truffle season every year at Truffle Fest. You’ll have the chance to learn from chefs at a cooking class or pick up fresh truffles from a farmers’ market. You can even stay at some working truffle farms.
Day 5: A final day in Canberra
From the National Zoo to the National Arboretum, discover how Canberra is helping protect Australian floral and faunal species.
Come face-to-face with Aussie wildlife
The National Zoo & Aquarium is doing extraordinary work when it comes to protecting some of Australia’s most endangered animals. You can be part of the action by becoming a zookeeper for a day, giving you a front-row seat to bears, giraffes and native animals.
Roam among endangered plants
Just moments from the zoo, take a self-guided tour through the National Arboretum Canberra, featuring 250 hectares of rolling hills and 94 forests. Kids will love the creative on-site playground, and there’s a light-filled café for snacks.
Take a retail break
The Canberra Centre is a one-stop-shop when it comes to Australian and international designer brands. The mall is also home to dozens of restaurants and fast-food stalls including PappaRich, where you can enjoy a Halal-friendly Malaysian meal.
Visit the Australian War Memorial
One of the most significant sites in Canberra, the Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum and an extensive archive. Attend the commemorative Last Post Ceremony, held daily at 4:44pm.
