Start your morning with a relaxed brunch at The Cupping Room in Braddon, savouring specialty coffee and a seasonal plate before a short walk to National Gallery of Australia to take in morning light on the sculpture garden and the NGA's Indigenous and modern art wings. From there, follow the formal avenues up to Parliament House for the chance to join a guided public gallery tour and watch the city unfold from the rooftop forecourt-timed so you're comfortably mid-morning and ready to continue exploring the hill.
After your rooftop view at Parliament House, spend the afternoon strolling the leafy paths to Old Parliament House where the engaging interactive exhibits bring Australia's political history to life; plan 45-60 minutes for the museum and its temporary exhibitions. Follow this with a relaxed riverside walk along the leafy banks to Commonwealth Park-pause at the National Rose Garden and, if time allows, take a short pedal on a hired e-scooter or bike to reach the tranquil foreshore and catch golden-hour reflections on Lake Burley Griffin before evening dining.
As the city lights come up, enjoy a relaxed dinner at The Deck at Regatta Point, where waterside tables look across Lake Burley Griffin and the menu highlights local produce and crisp Canberra wines. After dinner, take a short stroll to Kings Park for a twilight viewpoint of Parliament House illuminated against the night sky, then finish with a nightcap at the cosy cocktail bar BentSpoke Brewing Co. in Braddon to reflect on the day's discoveries.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| The Cupping Room (brunch) | $25 |
| National Gallery of Australia (general admission) | Free |
| Parliament House (public gallery tour) | Free |
| Old Parliament House (Museum of Australian Democracy entry) | $14 |
| Commonwealth Park & National Rose Garden | Free |
| E-scooter or bike hire (short ride) | $15 |
| The Deck at Regatta Point (dinner per person) | $45 |
| Kings Park (viewpoint) | Free |
| BentSpoke Brewing Co. (drinks/nightcap) | $12 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $111 |