Colourful Collective Travel Canberra Day Trip (FLEXIBLE FARE)

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A small-group day trip from Sydney to Canberra, taking in the capital's highlights: Mt Ainslie, the Australian War Memorial, the National Museum and a guided tour of Parliament House.

Days

Full day, about 12.5 hours

Age

All ages

Group size

Small group, max 24

Start / finish

Sydney / Sydney

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle with a driver guide, return from Sydney

Meals

No meals are listed as included; lunch at the National Museum at own cost

Route

Map of Colourful Collective Travel Canberra Day Trip (FLEXIBLE FARE)

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Included experiences

Mt Ainslie — views over Canberra
Australian War Memorial
National Museum of Australia — exhibits and Lake Burley Griffin
Parliament House — guided tour and the roof
Yarralumla — the embassies
Southern Highlands — country towns on the drive

Colourful Collective Travel Canberra Day Trip (FLEXIBLE FARE)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: SYDNEY TO THE BUSH CAPITAL

An early pick-up and you're heading south-west out of Sydney, through the Southern Highlands and the sheep country beyond, past small country towns. There's a stop at a local café or pie shop on the way to stretch your legs and buy a coffee. Canberra itself is a planned city. It was chosen as a compromise because neither Sydney nor Melbourne would accept the other as capital, and it was designed by the Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who won a world competition in 1912. Your guide fills in the story on the drive.

MORNING: MOUNT AINSLIE AND THE WAR MEMORIAL

The first stop is the lookout on Mount Ainslie, 843 metres up, the best place to see the Griffins' plan at work. Straight below, Anzac Parade runs to the lake, and across the water Parliament House lines up exactly at the far end. Keep an eye out for wild kangaroos on the slopes and nature reserves around the city. Next is the Australian War Memorial, opened in 1941, part shrine and part museum. You'll learn about Gallipoli and the Anzacs and the wars Australians have fought since. Visitors tuck red poppies beside names on the Roll of Honour, and the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier lies in the Hall of Memory.

MIDDAY: THE NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN

Lunch, at your own cost, is at the National Museum of Australia on the Acton Peninsula, which opened in 2001 and tells the country's social history through its people and events. You have free time to see the exhibits; one of the most visited is the heart of Phar Lap, the champion racehorse of the Depression years. Or sit out in the grounds by Lake Burley Griffin, made by damming the Molonglo River in the 1960s. On the lake, the Captain Cook Memorial Jet, built in 1970 for the 200th anniversary of Cook's landing, can throw water about 150 metres into the air.

AFTERNOON: PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND THE EMBASSIES

Next is a guided tour of Parliament House, opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988 and built into Capital Hill under grassed walls, topped by an 81-metre stainless steel flagpole. You'll see the two chambers, the House of Representatives in eucalyptus green and the Senate in red, and hear how Australian democracy works. Finally, a drive through Yarralumla, where many countries built embassies in their own national style. The Papua New Guinea High Commission takes the shape of a haus tambaran, a Sepik spirit house. Then it's the long drive north back to Sydney, with another refreshment stop along the way.

Map

Good to know

Departure time: Early morning pick-up in Sydney. The tour runs every Saturday, all year round.
Please note: Refreshment stops are made each way.

What to bring

Water bottle

What is included

Tour guide with commentary
Return air-conditioned transport from Sydney to Canberra
Entry to the Australian War Memorial
Entry and tour of Parliament House
Entry to the National Museum of Australia
Mt Ainslie photo stop
National embassies and the Captain Cook Memorial Jet

Not included

Lunch
Refreshments at the cafe stops

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

I did the Canberra tour with G, who was knowledgeable and friendly. The pie shop stop broke up the drive nicely, though the van's seatbelts were tight and there wasn't much room to move.

Kristy A Verified· Travelled 22nd October 2026

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(5/5)

I came from India to see Australia and my family booked me on the Canberra trip from Sydney. Our guide Mark was jolly, knowledgeable and fun, explaining the sights along the way and every stop, so it never felt like a long journey.

Catherine Pinto Verified· Travelled 7th February 2026

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(5/5)

I was told there was nothing in Canberra, but I'm so glad I went. With my parents we visited Parliament House, the embassies, the War Memorial and the last day of Floriade, and our knowledgeable driver-guide kept the long day organised, on time and fun.

Lucienne Lilla (Luli) Verified· Travelled 26th October 2025

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