Top Canberra Historical Tours

Swap the typical hop-on hop-off tour bus for a personalized experience of Canberra. This private bus tour departs from Canberra Museum & Gallery (CMAG) with hotel pickup available. Select which attractions you want to visit and explore them at your own pace. The bus does not do an orientation loop first, and you can finish early according to the timetable.

Explore beyond Sydney as you head to Australia’s capital, Canberra—without the hassle of planning or navigating—on this full-day tour. Learn how smart, future-focused design shaped Canberra into one of the world’s most modern and liveable cities. Take in sweeping views from Mount Ainslie, walk through Parliament House—an architectural landmark at the center of Australian democracy—and visit the Australian War Memorial for a powerful look at the nation’s history and commitment to peace. Enjoy lunch by the lake at the National Museum of Australia (own expense), then make the most of free time to explore the collections at your own pace.

Learn about a side of history that often gets overlooked when you join this women’s history walking tour with a local guide. Visit many well-known attractions–such as the National Archives, the High Court, and Old Parliament House–but listen to the lesser-known stories of the women behind Canberra, the Australian capital. Also visit a few sites you might otherwise miss, such as the Ladies Rose Garden.

Enhance your visit to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra with this small-group afternoon guided tour. Take a walk through the museum with one of its guides to learn more about the museum’s galleries and collections, including the stories behind them. The National Museum of Australia is a wheelchair-accessible venue.

Canberra: Power, Peace and Pathways isn’t a rush past monuments, it’s a thoughtful wander through the capital at its most human. This self-guided walk moves from iconic national institutions to quiet wetlands, from bold architecture to stories hidden underfoot. You’ll pass places where laws are debated, art lives outdoors, and history whispers instead of shouts. Expect powerful memorials, surprising detours, lakeside calm, and plenty of “wait, that happened here?” moments. Designed to be slow and reflective, this walk invites you to notice how power, memory, protest, and nature share the same ground. Canberra doesn’t demand attention, it earns it. Bring curiosity, comfy shoes, and a willingness to slow down.

This handy combo ticket makes visiting the National Museum of Australia both easier, and more enjoyable. Join an early afternoon guided highlights tour, where you'll learn more about the exhibits than you would touring alone. Admire the views over Lake Burley Griffin as you eat lunch and have a refreshing drink, and pick up an Aussie souvenir with a 10% discount gift shop voucher.

Go behind the scenes at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport), Australia’s premier elite sporting precinct and one of Canberra’s top attractions. Your guide takes you on a comprehensive 90-minute tour through the world-class facilities to see where Australia’s top athletes train. You can also test your own skills in the Sportex facility, an interactive sports zone with different physical tests for you to try.

Canberra is a city with a lot of museums and cultural landmarks that showcase Australia’s history, but many parts of that history often get overlooked. Discover a fascinating side to the Australian capital’s past with a group walking tour that brings you into the history and tradecraft of espionage and covert operations, but specifically highlighting women’s stories of both sides of the fence, spying and being spied upon.

Walk Canberra’s Culture, Power, and History on a route that’s calm, clever, and quietly iconic. Start on northbourne avenue canberra, head into braddon canberra, explore Lonsdale Street, bunda street canberra, and bunda street, then slip through tocumwal lane. Feel the buzz at Canberra City Centre and Civic Square, a true city on a hill moment. Discover stories at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, unwind at the australian national botanic gardens reviews favourite with gardens with sculptures vibes, pass Old Canberra House, enjoy a lake burley griffin walk around lake burley griffin canberra, continue along anzac parade through the anzac portal, and finish at the powerful australian war memorial—yes, the one from all those australian war memorial photos.

Join this small group tour, max 20, and see the highlights of Australia’s capital city of Canberra. You’ll see the views from the top of Mount Ainslie, visit the NA Exhibition Center, visit the Parliament House, Australian War Museum and have the experience of seeing the Lost Post Ceremony. Your guide will take you from place to place and tell you all the history and significance of each stop.

Discover the transformative power of art at the National Gallery with a knowledgeable guide. This one-hour tour takes you through the Gallery’s impressive collection, showcasing the vibrant movements of the twentieth century alongside significant First Nations artworks. As you explore, learn about the stories and cultural significance behind each piece. To commemorate your visit, choose an A3 art print inspired by the Gallery’s offerings, making this experience even more special. - One-hour guided tour of the National Gallery's art collection - Explore international and Australian masterpieces - Focus on significant First Nations art within the collection - Receive an A3 art print of your choice from the Gallery's Art Store

Experience the best of Canberra on this private full-day tour with a local guide. Start with panoramic views from Mount Ainslie Lookout, then explore the National Capital Exhibition to learn about the city’s design and cultural heritage. Visit the Museum of Australian Democracy in Old Parliament House and immerse yourself in Australia’s political history. Continue to the iconic Australian Parliament House, a symbol of democracy and national culture, and admire its impressive architecture. End your tour at the Australian War Memorial, reflecting on the service and sacrifice of Australia’s military personnel. Throughout the day, enjoy seamless transportation, expert storytelling, and a deep dive into Canberra’s historical, architectural, and cultural highlights. This tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, culture lovers, and first-time visitors seeking a heritage-rich experience.

Make the most of your time in Canberra with a private two-hour walking tour. Instead of wandering aimlessly and not knowing what you’re looking at, your guide will take you to some of Canberra’s most historically and culturally significant spots, and tell you all about the city. Visit impressive, must-see institutions, including Parliament House, the National Library, and the National Gallery.

On this private walking tour, you completely customize the route, choose your duration, and select your preferred historical themes. You quickly decide your path by picking between political milestone walks or deep-dives into social history at every landmark. Partner with an expert guide to explore Capital Hill, Old Parliament House, and Lake Burley Griffin entirely at your own pace. This tailored format ensures you only spend time on the stories and architectural sights that matter most to your group. Please note that exact walking routes and final stop durations will naturally vary based on the custom options selected by your group on the day of travel. Choose your route: Select modern political power centers or pioneering social history. Select your stops: Pick exactly which plazas, gardens, and pathways you want to explore. Pick your duration: Easily adjust your total tour length between 2, 3, or 4 hours. Determine your pace: Spend more time deep-diving into specific stories.