Best of Canberra
Getting Around Canberra: A Visitor Transport Guide
Canberra is a planned city, and once you understand the plan, getting around makes sense quickly. Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin laid the city out around a central ornamental lake (Lake Burley Griffin), with the national institutions clustered in and around the Parliamentary Triangle, the ceremonial precinct bounded by Commonwealth Avenue, Kings Avenue and Constitution Avenue. Beyond that core, the modern city spreads across separate districts, each with its own town centre: Civic (the city centre, on the north side), plus Belconnen, Gungahlin, Woden, Tuggeranong and Weston Creek, separated by bushland and linked by major roads. That structure shapes every transport decision you make as a visitor.
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Transport Canberra (Buses and Light Rail)
Canberra's public network covers most tourist attractions and the CBD. Visitors can use a credit card to tap and go, or buy a single-trip ticket at staffed stops. The light rail connects Gungahlin to the city in 25 minutes.
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Car Rental, Canberra Airport
All major rental companies (Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar) operate from the domestic terminal. A hire car is the most practical way to visit outlying attractions like Tidbinbilla, the wine region and Namadgi.
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Pedal Power ACT, Cycling Maps
Free downloadable cycling maps covering the Capital City Trail, Lake Burley Griffin circuit and commuter routes. An excellent way to get between the national institutions in the parliamentary triangle.
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Uber and Rideshare Canberra
Uber operates across the ACT; pickup is reliable at the airport, CBD hotels and major attractions. DiDi is also active in the city. Useful for evenings when buses are less frequent.
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VisitCanberra Trip Planner
The official tourism site's trip planner shows distances between attractions, opening hours and suggested itineraries grouped by interest. A useful tool before your first day out in the city.
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