Canberra Full Day Tour: Parliament House & War Memorial

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/10

Duration8h

GroupUp to 20

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Stand at Parliament House and the War Memorial in one day, guided through Canberra's power and history

A full-day guided tour of Canberra covers Mount Ainslie's lookout, Parliament House (Old and New), the Australian War Memorial and the city's diplomatic district, with an expert local guide, transport and all entry fees included. The tour runs eight hours and ends with the Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial. Children from age 6 are welcome; pickup is available at major hotels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Canberra's key landmarks

View from Mount Ainslie lookout
Drive through Royal Military College grounds
See Lake Burley Griffin and Captain Cook Memorial
Tour Old Parliament House museum
Guided tour of New Parliament House
Lunch at Queens Terrace Café
Drive through Canberra’s diplomatic district
Visit Australian War Memorial and Last Post Ceremony

The Experience

The day starts at Mount Ainslie, where the lookout gives you a view of the entire city laid out below. Your guide explains Walter Burley Griffin's design for Canberra—the two-tiered colonial and capital city history—and points out the landmarks you'll visit later. From there, you drive through the grounds of the Royal Military College Duntroon and past Mount Pleasant for another angle on central Canberra before heading toward the Parliamentary Triangle.

Parliament comes in two parts. First, the Old Parliament House, now the Museum of Australian Democracy, where a short guided tour walks you through the chambers and galleries that held more than 50 years of Australia's political history. Then it's a short drive up the Hill to New Parliament House for a guided tour of the Great Hall, Senate and House of Representatives Chambers. Lunch happens at Queens Terrace Café, where the menu covers most tastes. After lunch, the drive takes you through Canberra's diplomatic district, passing The Lodge (the Prime Minister's residence) and the embassies of different countries represented in Australia.

The Australian War Memorial fills the afternoon. Your guide walks you through the central galleries, then you have free time to explore the many exhibitions dedicated to Australia's role in conflict. The tour ends with the Last Post Ceremony, a dedication to those who have fallen in service—a moment that often moves people deeply. Transport in a comfortable vehicle and an expert local guide are with you throughout; all entry fees are included.

What’s included

Transport in a comfortable tour vehicle.
pickup at major hotel and motel chains.
expert local guide throughout the day.
entry to Mount Ainslie lookout, Old Parliament House, New Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.
guided tours at each site.
the Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Canberra Guided Tours

Is this one for you?The eight-hour pace means you cover Parliament House, the War Memorial and Mount Ainslie in a single day without building the itinerary yourself—the guide handles the timing and the route, so the landmarks and the stories hold together without gaps.