The Best Areas to Stay in Canberra, Australia
The Best Areas to Stay in Canberra, Australia

Best Areas to Stay in Canberra, Australia

Where to Stay in Canberra – A Guide to the Australian Capital

Canberra is the capital of Australia and the most populated inland city in the country. Located in the country’s southeast, on the Molonglo River, Canberra was created to serve as the federation’s national capital. The Australian capital is famous for its administrative buildings and holds the most impressive collection of Australian aboriginal art. In this post, we will explore the best areas to stay in Canberra.

Canberra was built from scratch at the beginning of the 20th century to replace Melbourne as the Australian capital in 1927.

The main cultural attractions in Canberra’s centre include Lake Burley Griffin, the Parliament House, the National Museum of Australia, the Old Parliament House, Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre and the National Gallery of Australia. See accommodation in Canberra City Centre.

Other attractions in Canberra include the National Zoo & Aquarium, the National Arboretum Canberra and the Australian War Memorial.

For nature lovers, Canberra is the gateway to the impressive natural landscapes and wildlife areas such as Black Mountain, Mount Ainslie, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Jerrabomberra Wetlands.

Due to its location, Canberra has an oceanic climate. In January, at the height of summer, temperatures typically range between 14 and 28 ºC. Meanwhile, in August, average temperatures hover around 1 and 14 °C. The best time to visit Canberra is from spring to autumn (October through June); temperatures are still pleasant enough to enjoy outdoor activities during these seasons.

To get to Canberra by air, the city is served by the Canberra Airport. Located 8 km from the Canberra CBD, this airport offers domestic connections to Australia’s main cities.

Canberra is connected to Sydney by the NSW TrainLink railway. Canberra’s railway station is in the suburb of Kingston, near the City Centre. A network of long-distance buses also connects Canberra to destinations in Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne. See bus routes, schedules & fares.

When it comes to moving around the city, ACTION provides public transport throughout the city, and there are taxis and mobile apps available. Canberra’s inner city is pedestrian-friendly, but cars are still the best way to reach the city’s outlying suburbs. You can rent a cheap car here.

The best area to stay in Canberra, ACT is the City Centre. This district is home to the city’s main cultural attractions and museums, nightlife, restaurants and some of the best accommodation options. See accommodation in Canberra CBD.

Other great areas to keep in mind when choosing the best location in Canberra include the area around the Parliament House and the suburb of Kingston, where the main railway station is located.

Keep reading to find more about the best areas to stay in Canberra, ACT.

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Best Location in Canberra, Australia: A Quick Guide

Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Canberra according to your travel style. Keep on reading below to find more information on each particular suburb.


Best Hotels in Canberra, ACT by ThemeCanberra, AustraliaBest Hotels in Canberra, ACT by Theme

Got something specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the top hotels in Canberra. No matter your reason for visiting the city, we can help you decide!


The Best Areas to Stay in Canberra, Australia

Canberra City Centre is, as its name suggests, the heart of the city, as well as its commercial and historical centre.

This area revolves around the City Hill Park and Northbourne Avenue.

Also known as the Civic Centre or CBD (Central Business District), Canberra City Centre has excellent public transport connections, and hosts the best boutiques and fashion stores, with brands that range from the most recognized to those of local production. As a result, the City Centre concentrates the largest number of shops in the city.

This central area is also the favourite place for tourists and locals in search of the best nightlife in the Australian capital.

The City Centre has several bus stops along Northbourne Avenue.

This neighbourhood offers a variety of accommodation for all budgets and tastes.

This lively area also includes the Canberra Convention Centre, which makes it an excellent area for business travellers.

The City Centre is the best area to stay in Canberra, thanks to its excellent connections, its variety of accommodation, and the shopping and nightlife options it offers.

Best areas to stay in Camberra - CBD
Best areas to stay in Camberra – CBD
Where to stay in Canberra - Civic Centre
Where to stay in Canberra – Civic Centre
Accommodation in Canberra City Centre - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Canberra City Centre – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Canberra, Australia:

  • Heart of the city
  • Great transport connections
  • Shopping area


2. Near the Parliament House

The Australian Parliament House, also called Yarralumla in the aboriginal language, is an emblematic building, located south of the centre of the city of Canberra.

The Parliament House has a modern design in harmony with the surrounding landscapes and is close to shops, cafes and restaurants.

This building, epicentre of the Australian legislative power, is the most visited attraction in Canberra and houses Australian galleries and works of art on its interior.

When visiting the Parliament House, you can also go up to its roof, which is made of natural grass.

The Australian Parliament House is a infrastructure surrounded by immense gardens, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. The area is full of government buildings, foreign embassies and different kind of architectural styles.

This area of Canberra also hosts some of the most luxurious hotels in the Australian capital.

Where to stay in Canberra - Near the Parliament House
Where to stay in Canberra – Near the Parliament House
Accommodation near the Australian Parliament House - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation near the Australian Parliament House – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Canberra, Australia:

  • Australian Parliament House
  • Great architecture
  • Luxury-type hotels

3. Around Canberra Railway Station

The Canberra Railway Station is located in Kingston, 4 km southeast of downtown Canberra, and not far from the city’s main government and diplomatic quarter.

This is the main terminal station of the train line that connects Canberra with the city of Sydney.

As Sydney is the main point of international entry to Australia and an important centre of business and tourism, the Canberra Railway Station is a excellent area to stay in Canberra because the trains will always be available during your stay in the Australian capital.

The area, in addition to providing access to the attractions of Canberra, is especially recommended for business travellers, and those who are looking to see the rest of Australia.

The Canberra Railway Station is also included among the best areas to stay in Canberra for having a wide range of hotels.

Best areas to stay in Canberra - Around Canberra Railway Station
Best areas to stay in Canberra – Around Canberra Railway Station
Accommodation around Canberra Railway Station - Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area
Accommodation around Canberra Railway Station – Click on the map to see all accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Canberra, Australia:

  • Train station
  • All kinds of accommodation
  • Commercial area

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