Free things to do in Canberra
12 places with no entry fee, with the official website of each.
Places
Canberra Glassworks
Kingston
Glass workshop at 11 Wentworth Avenue, with exhibitions, self-guided visits and artists working in view. Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 16:00, and entry is by donation. It also gives classes, whose price we could not check.
DirectionsNational Gallery of Australia
Parkes
National art gallery and its gardens, on Parkes Place. Open every day from 10:00 to 17:00, except Christmas. Entry is free; only some major exhibitions are paid separately.
DirectionsAustralian War Memorial
Campbell
War memorial and museum on Fairbairn Avenue. Open from 10:00 to 17:00, except Christmas, with the Last Post ceremony at 16:30. No ticket is needed and both car parks are free.
DirectionsMuseum of Australian Democracy
Parkes
Museum of democracy in Old Parliament House. Open every day from 9:00 to 17:00, except Christmas. Some rooms are closed for works.
DirectionsNational Museum of Australia
Acton
National museum on Lawson Crescent, on the Acton Peninsula. VisitCanberra says entry is free.
DirectionsNational Portrait Gallery
Parkes
National portrait gallery on King Edward Terrace. VisitCanberra says entry is free.
DirectionsAustralian Parliament House
Capital Hill
Seat of the federal Parliament. VisitCanberra says entry is free, with guided tours and booking for the question session (Question Time). We could not see the price of the tours.
DirectionsRoyal Australian Mint
Deakin
The Royal Australian Mint, at 62-114 Denison Street. Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 17:00, and weekends and public holidays from 10:00 to 16:00. It closes on Good Friday and Christmas.
DirectionsCanberra Deep Space Communication Complex
Tidbinbilla
Deep space communications complex, with a visitor centre at 421 Discovery Drive. VisitCanberra says entry is free.
DirectionsNational Arboretum Canberra
Molonglo Valley
National arboretum on Forest Drive. VisitCanberra says entry is free. There is parking, whose price we could not confirm.
DirectionsAustralian National Botanic Gardens
Acton
National botanic gardens on Clunies Ross Street. VisitCanberra says entry is free. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, at 11:30 and 13:30, the Flora Explorer bus tours leave from the visitor centre.
DirectionsFloriade
Commonwealth Park, Parkes
Spring flower festival, in September and October. It returns from 10 September to 10 October 2027, for its 40th anniversary. Entry is free and needs no registration; some events and NightFest are paid.
More in Canberra
Free according to its website on 5 Nov 2026. Sometimes that only covers general entry, and it may change, so check before you go. No link on this page pays us.