Canberra's gone to the kids

ACT - Canberra for kids

Canberra has lots to keep children amused

If you thought there was nothing more to Canberra than politicians and monuments, the national capital will come as a surprise - especially if you take the kids along. While no under-10 is likely to last too long in the National Portrait Gallery, elsewhere Canberra has lots to keep children amused.

However, seeing Canberra with a family demands strategic planning. Food outlets, for example, tend to be concentrated in suburban shopping centres rather than scattered around the city. If you decide it's time for lunch after visiting the National Gallery, you'll need to head for the shops at Manuka or Kingston. Plan ahead, and you'll get through the day without tears or tantrums.

The best way to get around Canberra is in your own vehicle. Traffic is relatively light and well mannered, the streets are wide, the signposting is excellent and parking is rarely a problem. Canberra also has a giant landmark - in the shape of the Black Mountain Telstra Tower - that makes it easy to orient yourself from anywhere in the city.

Your first stop should be the Canberra Visitor Centre.

Located on the left side of Northbourne Avenue, the main artery as you head into town from the north, it has maps, advice and the latest what's-on information. The centre also sells the Three in Fun pass, a money-saving way to see Questacon, The Australian Institute of Sport and Cockington Green, three of the capital's best family attractions.

Since a food stop is probably now top of the agenda, continue along Northbourne Avenue. When you reach the Civic Centre - look for the colonnade with shops along both sides of the street - turn left into London Circuit, head into the parking lot on the right and there are plenty of cafes on the opposite side of the circuit.

It's now time for some serious sightseeing, and there's no better place to begin than Telstra Tower, on the summit of Black Mountain. The viewing decks offer views over the national capital and its surroundings that will temporarily stun even a seven-year-old.

Most of the heavyweight cultural institutions are clustered within the Parliamentary Triangle.

The standout from a child's perspective is Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre.

With over 200 hands-on interactive science exhibits and fantastic Spectacular Science Shows daily, Questacon is fun for the whole family.

At Questacon you'll enjoy wandering through seven different exhibitions that let you discover the science behind the weather, carnival sideshows, music, sport and more. Younger children can explore in the special Mini Q exhibition designed for 0 - 6 year olds.

One attraction that should be high on the itinerary is Parliament House. To any typical child, what goes on in the Australian Parliament would seem like a huge yawn, but you can spice up your visit considerably if you get tickets to watch the house in action. Simply telephone the sergeant-at-arms at Parliament House a few weeks in advance and chances are you'll be rewarded with free tickets to the public gallery. The House of Representatives is the more exciting of the two houses, and the best time to be there is during question time, at 2pm, when debate it at its liveliest.

The Australian War Memorial is a moving tribute to the men and women who served the nation in war, although to most children, it's a great opportunity to get a close-up look at the hardware of warfare. And to be fair, who could not be impressed by the Memorial's exhibits, which include a Lancaster bomber, a Spitfire, tanks, a giant German gun and one of the midget Japanese submarines sunk during a World War II raid on Sydney Harbour.

The Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra's northern suburbs is a sure-fire child pleaser. The facilities at the $100 million complex are truly amazing, and the chance to spot Australia's elite athletes as they go through their paces will be a highlight for any child. Tours depart twice daily, sometimes led by AIS athletes themselves. Some of the facilities - for example the training pool - are open for public use at selected hours, although the chance of getting a few pointers from Libby Lenton is remote.

Close to the AIS, National Museum of Australia will tame them forever. In words, pictures, exhibits and multi-media presentations, the museum puts Australia under the microscope with an ever-changing menu of exhibitions that score top marks for imagination. A section of the museum is set aside specifically for children, with a range of experiences such as interactive modelling that allows them to design a city for the future, or discover wildlife through tracks in cubby houses.

National Gallery of Australia 
National Dinosaur Museum 

Canberra 3 in Fun. Save 10% with a 3 in Fun visit to Cockington Green, Questacon and the Australian Institute of Sport and receive a free return visit to the attraction of your choice.

Image courtesy of ACT Tourism