Canberra's most rewarding museum experience includes halls dedicated to WWI, WWII and conflicts from 1945 to the present day. A spectacular aircraft hall segues to sound-and-light shows staged in the massive Anzac Hall. Most exciting are Striking by Night, re-creating a WWII night operation over Berlin (staged on the hour), and Over the Front: the Great War in the Air (at a quarter past the hour).

Entry to the museum is via a Commemorative Courtyard with a roll of honour of the nation's war dead. Family members have attached bright-red paper poppies to the names of their fallen relatives. These poppies of remembrance reflect those that flowered on the battlegrounds of Belgium, France and Gallipoli in the spring of 1915.

Behind the courtyard is the mosaic-encrusted Hall of Memory. This is home to the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, representing all Australians who have given their lives during wartime.

Free guided tours leave from the main entrance's Orientation Gallery regularly. Alternatively, purchase the Self-Guided Tour leaflet with map ($5).

Includes an extraordinary Aboriginal Memorial from Central Arnhem Land created for Australia's 1988 bicentenary. The work of 43 artists, this 'forest of souls' presents 200 hollow log coffins (one for every year of European settlement) and is part of an excellent collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Also exhibited is Australian art from the colonial to contemporary period, and Australia's finest collection of Asian art. Notable Pacific art and standout European and American works complete an impressive collection.

Check the website for free guided tours.

Opened in 1988, Australia's national parliament building is dug into Capital Hill, and has a grass-topped roof topped by an 81m-high flagpole. The rooftop lawns encompass 23 hectares of gardens and provide superb 360-degree views. Underneath incorporates 17 courtyards, an entrance foyer, the Great Hall, the House of Representatives, the Senate and seemingly endless corridors. Visit on a free guided tour (30 minutes on sitting days, 45 minutes on non-sitting days); these leave at 9.30am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3.30pm.

Visitors can also self-navigate and watch parliamentary proceedings from the public galleries. Tickets for Question Time (2pm on sitting days) in the House of Representatives are free but must be booked through the Sergeant at Arms; tickets aren't required for the Senate chamber. See the website for a calendar of sitting days.

This gallery tells the story of Australia through its faces – from wax cameos of Aboriginal tribespeople to colonial portraits of the nation's founding families and contemporary works such as Howard Arkley's Day-Glo portrait of musician Nick Cave. There is a good cafe for post-exhibition coffee and reflection.

Located on land previously impacted by bushfires, Canberra's National Arboretum is an ever-developing showcase of trees from around the world. It is early days for many of the plantings, but it's still worth visiting the spectacular visitor centre, and for excellent views over the city. Regular guided tours are informative, and there is a brilliant adventure playground for kids.

Catch bus 81 (weekdays) or bus 981 (weekends) from the Civic bus interchange.

The seat of government from 1927 to 1988, this building offers visitors a whiff of bygone parliamentary activity. It's most meaningful for those who have studied Australian history or closely followed political high jinks in Canberra, but still rewarding for other visitors. Displays cover Australian prime ministers, the roots of global and local democracy, and the history of local protest movements. You can also visit the old Senate and House of Representative chambers, the parliamentary library and the prime minister's office.

The lawn in front of Old Parliament House is home to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy – an important site in the struggle for equality and representation for Indigenous Australians.

The 35km shore of this lake is home to most of the city's cultural institutions. It was filled by damming the Molonglo River in 1963 with the 33m-high Scrivener Dam, and was named after American architect Walter Burley Griffin, who won an international competition with his wife – and fellow architect – to design Australia's new capital city in 1911. Highlights include the National Carillon ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %02-6257 1068) and the Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; h10am-noon & 2-4pm, plus 7-9pm daylight-saving months).

On the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, the artwork of Reconciliation Pl represents the nation's commitment to the cause of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

With exhibits organised chronologically, some visitors find this museum exhilarating while others find it annoying. Exhibits focus on environmental change, Indigenous culture, national Australian icons and much more. Don't miss the introductory film, shown in the small rotating Circa Theatre. Bus 7 (weekdays) and bus 934 (weekends) run here from Civic, and the museum is also on the route of the Canberra City Explorer.

Set in a delightful art deco building, this archive preserves Australian moving-picture and sound recordings. There are also temporary exhibitions, talks and film screenings in the Arc Cinema ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; adult/concession $10/8).

On Black Mountain's lower slopes, these 90-hectare gardens showcase Australian floral diversity. Self-guided trails include the Joseph Banks Walk, and there's a 90-minute return trail from near the eucalypt lawn leading into the garden's higher areas before continuing into the Black Mountain Nature Park and on to the summit.

The visitor centre is the departure point for free guided walks at 11am and 2pm. On weekends, an electric bus negotiates the Flora Explorer Tour (adult/child $6/3; h10.30am & 1.30pm Sat & Sun).

Black Mountain (812m), northwest of the city, is topped by the 195m-high Telstra Tower, which has a great vista from 66m up its shaft.

This library has accumulated over six million items since being established in 1901; most can be accessed in the reading rooms. Don't miss the Treasures Gallery, where artefacts such as Captain Cook's Endeavour journal and Captain Bligh's list of mutineers are among the regularly refreshed display – free 40-minute tours are held at 10.30am daily and at 11.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Learn about the Indigenous peoples of the Canberra area and see copies of exquisite Burley Griffin drawings of the city at this modest museum near Regatta Point.

This kid-friendly science centre has educational and fun interactive exhibits. Explore the physics of sport, athletics and fun parks, cause tsunamis, and take shelter from cyclones and earthquakes. Exciting science shows, presentations and puppet shows are all included.

Book ahead to cuddle a cheetah ($175), get close to a red panda, white lion or giraffe (from $50), or take a tour behind the scenes to hand feed lions, tigers and bears (from $120). Bus 81 from the Civic interchange stops close by on weekends only.

Northeast of the city, 843m-high Mt Ainslie has fine views day and night. Walking tracks start behind the War Memorial, climb Mt Ainslie and end at Mt Majura (888m).

Wollongong’s fishing fleet is based at the harbour's southern end. The basin was cut from solid rock in 1868. There’s a fishing cooperative and an old lighthouse ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ) (built in 1872) on the point. Nearby, on the headland, is the newer Breakwater Lighthouse ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ).

Quizzical kids of all ages can indulge their senses here. It’s operated by the University of Wollongong and covers everything from dinosaurs to electronics. Planetarium shows ($4) run throughout the day.

Habitats include tropical, temperate and woodland. A top spot for a picnic lunch.

Modern Australian, Indigenous and Asian art, and diverse temporary exhibits.