Best Instagram Spots Canberra

Best Instagram Spots Canberra

Canberra is a seriously cool city. It was named as one of Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Cities 2018, and was the only Australian city on the list–while also being The Australian capital! If you want to make the most of your time in Canberra, ACT and take some epic photos, here are our pics of the best Instagram spots Canberra.

Even if you’re not into Instagram (who are you?), they are also some of the top sightseeing spots in the Canberra area, and are fun, educational, and great to add to your Canberra itinerary.  Here’s our top Canberra photography locations- they are also some of the top places to go near Canberra, if you’re looking for Canberra day trip ideas.

Mount Ainslie

Mount Ainslie Lookout offers picture-postcard views of Canberra, and is only about 15 minutes from the city centre. You can easily drive to the top of Mount Ainslie, or there are also plenty of hiking trails. I had limited time, unfortunately, so I didn’t have the chance to try the hike to the top, but the countryside is stunning, and being outside amongst it would be the best way to see this area. I was there early morning, and was able to see a wide range of bird species, and the morning light makes a beautiful time to photograph this area.

You can look down upon the side and Lake Burley Griffin, giving you epic views.

Floriade

If you’re visiting Canberra in September or October, Floriade is an incredible spring festival to explore. Held every year in Commonwealth Park, Floriade began in 1988 as a tribute to Canberra’s 75th anniversary, and has continued to grow into one of Canberra’s biggest events. Go for the gorgeous and colourful floral displays, or to capture your perfect flowy dress-twirling Instagram shot within the tulips. Or, even better, come up with a new perspective- there’s only so many twirling long dress shots needed in this world…

However, you can stroll along Lake Burley Griffin and admire the displays, which are usually really impressive.

Parliament House

No visit to Canberra would be complete without a visit to Parliament House, the seat of Australian government. However, despite its historical and political significance, the building is also an architectural marvel, and is either loved or hated, depending on who you ask. The building was opened in 1988, with the design selected following an international design competition, replacing the old Parliament House (which can still be toured).

According to the Parliament House website:

“Unlike many civic buildings, which express the power and tastes of individuals or political philosophies, Parliament House was designed to encourage public access and involvement while responding to the Australian climate, landscape, vegetation, and even the quality of the light. It was designed to be both a functional building and a major national symbol.”

The result is a modern, striking, and unique building, also great for photography. You can also access the roof, something I’m willing to bet most national government buildings probably don’t allow.

‘wide brown land’ sculpture, National Arboretum

The National Arboretum is a relatively new attraction in Canberra, opened in 2013 on land in recovery from a devastating bushfire. Although the arboretum is still relatively new, it boasts an incredible visitor center and restaurant, a large bonsai collection, and many walking trails amongst diverse and rare tree species. Look out for the ‘wide brown land’ sculpture, a line from the poem ‘My Country’, written by poet Dorothea Mackellar.

Set within the ‘wide brown land’, this outdoor sculpture offers great views of the countryside- try playing around with perspective to get some cool shots. The National Arboretum in Canberra is also a great place to walk around and stretch your legs after a long drive.

Old Bus Depot Markets

Every Sunday, the Old Bus Depot Markets are held along the Kingston Foreshore. These dynamic, colorful, and vibrant markets offer everything from fresh produce, antiques, clothing, handmade woolen goods, and food trucks. I picked up some woven bracelets and hand-made socks, there’s a bit of everything here.

The bright flags on the ceiling and the huge array of goods here make for fun photography, as does the Kingston Foreshore just outside the markets. The markets only run from 10am-4pm on Sundays.

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National Museum of Australia

Opened in 2001, the National Museum is another architectural innovation in Canberra. The asymmetric building design plays with angles and shapes to create a museum that looks nothing like what you’d expect from a museum. Of course check out the impressive and informative collections within the museum, but also take some time to enjoy the architecture and the outdoor ‘Garden of Australian Dreams’.

Enlighten Canberra

Think a smaller Vivid, but with less crowds- sounds pretty good, right? Enlighten is a light (and arts) festival held yearly in March. Beautiful and dazzling public art installations and light shows are broadcast displayed throughout the city, creating unique night photography opportunities.

Click here to find the best hotels in Canberra for your budget. 

National Gallery of Art

The National Gallery is a treasure trove of Australian and international art, and also hosts the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Some highlights at the Gallery currently are Cartier: The Exhibition and the wonderful hanging art installation in the foyer, Nikola Tesla Sends Theda Bara To Mars, by Sydney artist Sarah Contos, commissioned especially for the foyer of the Gallery.

Even if you’re not into taking photos, the National Gallery in Canberra is still a great place to spend an afternoon.

Lerida Winery

Just outside Canberra, in Collector, NSW,  Lerida Estate can be found. This vineyard and restaurant produces some of the best wines in the region, and is the perfect place to stop for a delicious lunch and a spot of wine testing on your way to Canberra, or on the way home. They have a wide selection of quality wines, made on-site, sine 1997. Apparently, the nearby Lake George helps to create the perfect mild and cool climate for the grapes, making this region a top one for wine production.

Definitely sample some of their wines, or pick a bottle up to take with you to your hotel- they are seriously impressive (looking at you, 2017 Lake George Pinot Noir). The wine barrel-lined restaurant makes for amazing photo opps, as do the vineyards and rolling hills of the country.

 Gibraltar Falls

Disclaimer- I haven’t had a chance to visit Gibraltar yet, but I have heard from a few friends who’ve visited that it’s really beautiful, and offers great bushwalking. You can never have too many waterfall shots on your Insta, so check it out. It’s located about 50 km from Canberra, so would make for a great day trip if you’re spending a bit of time in the area.

Or, if you love the outdoors, keep driving past Canberra and head to the Snowy Mountains, which are doable as a day trip from the city. Perisher or Thredbo are both amazing options if you want to try out skiing in Australia! Or, you can still have an awesome time in Thredbo without skiing too.

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On a recent trip to Canberra, I stayed at the Mercure Canberra. They are a fantastic heritage hotel in Canberra, close to all the attractions of the city. Also part of the Accor group in Canberra is First Edition, a stunning Modern Australian restaurant and bar, located within the Novotel Canberra. They can put together an insane food spread to satisfy any foodie Instagrammer, as well as your taste buds. Also try their pink Cartier-inspired cocktail, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.

If you’re looking for more adventures in the capital city, check out this article from fellow bloggers The Crazy Tourists on the 15 best things to do in Canberra. There’s so much to explore here, whether you have a weekend or a week!

Have you been to Canberra? What are your favorite spots to visit? Would love to hear your recommendations!

The recommendations above are based on multiple visits to Canberra, most recently as a guest of Accor Hotels Australia.