A Guide to the City Centre of Canberra That’ll Make You Feel like a Local for a Day
As much as I love exploring Canberra’s hidden gems and suburbs, nothing compares to the amount of time I’ve spent in the City Centre. Also known as the Central Business District (CBD) or Civic, this seems to be where all of Canberra’s roads lead.
One of the reasons why I can’t help but keep coming back is because of the area’s unique energy. It’s always changing and there’s always something new — a new store, a new attraction, a new restaurant.
But it’s also home to a lot of Canberra staples and local favorites. There really is something here for everyone, whether you’re a visitor or you’ve lived here your whole life.
To help you out, you can use this guide to navigate all the excitement and pizzazz of Canberra’s City Centre.
Where is Canberra’s City Centre?
Canberra’s City Centre, also known as the Central Business District (CBD), can be found in the district of Civic. It’s surrounded by the suburbs of Acton, Braddon, Reid, and Turner, and it’s right beside Lake Burley Griffin.
How to Get to Canberra’s City Centre
Via Light Rail: Canberra’s light rail system runs from Gungahlin to Civic. To get there, just alight the tram at the Alinga Street interchange.
Via Bus: There are plenty of bus stops all over the City Centre. You can take the following transport routes to get there: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 31, 32, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 180, 181, 182, 2015, and 2026.
Via Taxi or Ride-Sharing Service: Find a taxi or locate one using a ride-sharing app (such as Uber). Tell your driver what your specific destination is in the City Centre and they’ll be able to drive you there.
Via Private Car: Input the name of a specific location in the City Centre to get the best directions on how to get there.
You can either find free parking at Allara Street, 7 Akuna Street, and 12 Hobart Place or use the paid parking available at most of the nearby attractions.
What to Do in Canberra’s City Centre
Spend a day at Canberra Centre
– Media credit: canberracentre
Address: 148 Bunda Street
Phone: +61 2 6247 5611
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Civic is where you’ll find one of Canberra’s oldest and biggest malls. Canberra Centre spans 6 blocks and is full of great stores, fun past times, and top-notch eats.
Inside, there’s an impressive selection of the most famous international and local brands. Tourists should also make sure to drop by Australian Choice where they can shop for Australian-made souvenirs.
On the other hand, families can get in some quality bonding time at Kingpin. They have great bowling lanes, pool tables, and over a hundred arcade games available to play.
Support the arts at Canberra Theatre Centre
– Media credit: canberratheatrecentre
Address: Civic Square, London Circuit
Phone: +61 2 6275 2700
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
You don’t have to go all the way to Broadway just to see world-class performances. The capital has its very own Canberra Theatre Centre where you can marvel at exceptional performances from some of the best artists in the country.
They offer a diverse selection of shows for all ages. You can buy tickets to comedies, Shakespearean dramas, classical music shows, rock band performances, and more.
Plus, there’s no such thing as bad seats here since you’re guaranteed a great view wherever you’re placed. They even provide cushions to boost kids up so that they can enjoy shows with good visibility.
These shows are available all year round, so you can just check out what they have on during your visit. It’s a great source of entertainment and culture right in the heart of Canberra.
Enjoy the exhibitions on display at the Canberra Museum and Gallery
– Media credit: canberramuseumandgallery
Address: 176 London Circuit
Phone: +61 2 6207 3968
Hours:
- Sunday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
What better way to immerse yourself in the culture than to learn all about its history? The Canberra Museum and Gallery offers unique insights into the capital’s story through its exhibitions and art.
Make sure to dedicate at least 2 to 3 hours for a visit here because they’ve got a wide array of art displayed. You can gaze at collections of heritage items that are important to the city and pieces from world-renowned artists, like Sidney Nolan and Paul Cezanne.
They also showcase a variety of artwork including paintings, photographs, ceramics, fashion, glass, jewelry, and more.
The place is open 7 days a week and is fully wheelchair accessible. What’s even better is that entrance to most of the galleries is free, except for a few limited exhibitions.
Where to Eat in Canberra’s City Centre
Reload Bar & Games
– Media credit: reloadbar
Address: 34/38 Northbourne Avenue
Phone: +61 2 6257 4232
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Wednesday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thursday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Friday to Saturday – 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
- Sunday to Tuesday – Closed
Why choose between good food or entertainment when you can have both? At Reload Bar & Games, you’ll never be bored or hungry.
They’ve got arcade games, pool tables, digital darts, and a DJ if you want to tear up the dance floor. You can even book one of their private rooms with a group for those nights when you want to sing your heart out at karaoke.
They also host themed nights, like Emo Night, Trivia Night, K-POP Night, and County Night, where you can socialize and meet new friends with the same interests.
While all this is happening, order from their fantastic food and cocktail menu. Everyone who goes here agrees that the Homer Burgers are a must-try.
CBD Dumpling House
– Media credit: sharemyfoodd
Address: Shop FG13C/26 Narellan Street
Phone: +61 2 6262 8855
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
There’s always a crowd gathered around CBD Dumpling House and it’s for good reason. The huge windows showing their chefs preparing the delicious food meticulously and efficiently is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Although it does get pretty busy in this restaurant, the fast service ensures that you’re seated quickly and that your food arrives at your table without a long wait. It’s partially why people end up ordering a lot of dishes when they’re here.
Everything they make has good flavor and fresh ingredients. Trust us when we say that you should order at least 3 of their dumpling dishes, especially the pan-fried ones.
Where to Stay in Canberra’s City Centre
A by Adina Canberra
– Media credit: abyadina
Address: 1 Constitution Avenue
Phone: +61 2 5134 6444
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
A by Adina Canberra offers a quiet escape right in the middle of the action. A lot of famous attractions and transport options are within walking distance, but it all melts away once you step into your modern and comfortable room.
Wellness is very much a priority here. Not only do they have a state-of-the-art gym, but you can also join in on some highly sought-after on-demand classes, such as cycling, pilates, meditation, and yoga.
What really makes the hotel shine though is its welcoming and approachable staff. If you don’t know your way around the city, you can just ask them for recommendations and they’ll gladly help you out.
QT Canberra
– Media credit: qtcanberra
Address: 1 London Circuit
Phone: +61 2 6247 6244
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
QT Canberra is mostly known for having an outstanding on-site restaurant. People from all over visit the iconic Capitol Bar & Grill for some of the freshest seafood and flavorful wood-grilled steaks in the city.
But there’s a reason why the people who choose to stay here almost always end up being regular customers. When you feel the quality of service they give, you’re not going to want to stay anywhere else.
The staff really take the time to get to know you. The next time you visit, they’ll likely have your name and favorite drink prepared even before you order it.
All the rooms are cleverly decorated and comfortable as well. As a designer hotel, they don’t have the biggest rooms, so their spaces have been carefully planned out to efficiently fit everything you might need throughout your stay.