Canberra Deep Space Centre,Canberra
The Canberra Space Centre contains a collection of space memorabilia, models, theatres and interactive exhibits covering the last 40 years of space flight and exploration. Visitors can weigh themselves on the moon and see Mars in 3-D.

Admission:
Free

Opening time:
Daily 9am to 5pm (until 6pm in summer). Closed Christmas Day

Michelago Tourist Railway,Canberra
The Australian Railway Historical Society Inc operates regular Sunday steam train rides to Royalla on the first and third Sunday of each month, and on the second and fourth Sunday operates rail motor trains to Royalla. Ride the "Spirit of Tuggeranong" or the "Tin Hare Express" to Royalla, enjoy a picnic lunch and then hop back on for the return trip. Other trips available include evening railroad dinner and dancing trips. The trains operate from Queanbeyan Railway Station, Henderson Road.

Opening time:
Office hours: 10am to 3pm (weekdays)

Australian National Botanic Gardens,Canberra
The Australian National Botanic Gardens, sited on the slopes of Black Mountain, is the world's finest living collection of Australian native plants. Set among natural eucalypts, they provide an ideal setting to display the nation's unique and beautiful floral heritage. The variety of eco-systems in the Gardens encourages a host of birds. Other features include the Aboriginal Track, a Rock Garden, Rainforest Gully, the Mallee and the Tasmanian Garden.

Opening time:
Daily 8.30am to 5pm (until 6pm weekdays and 8pm weekends in January)

National Zoo and Aquarium,Canberra
View exotic and native animals, ocean and freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians. See leopards, lions, tigers, cougars, bears, monkeys, Tasmanian devils, sharks and Barrier Reef exhibits. Feed kangaroos and pat dingoes. The complex is beside Lake Burley Griffin, and large habitats provide ideal viewing for education and enjoyment.

Admission:
A$23.50 (adults), A$12.50 (children 4-15 yrs); concessions available

Opening time:
Daily 9am to 5pm. Closed Christmas day

Cockington Green,Canberra
Opened to the public in 1979, Cockington Green at Gold Creek Village is an award-winning display of miniature buildings and landscaped gardens and one of Canberra's landmark attractions. As well as the stunning miniature displays and breathtaking gardens, there is a Heritage Rose Walk, a maze, several cafés, a barbecue, picnic and playground areas and a steam train ride that circles the grounds.

Admission:
A$14.50 (adults), A$7.50 (children 4-16 years); concessions available

Opening time:
Daily 9.30am to 5pm (last admission 4.15pm)

National Gallery of Australia,Canberra
Located on the south shore of the lake, the National Gallery has the best collection of art in the country. The Australian collection ranges from traditional Aboriginal art through to 20th-century works by Tom Roberts, Arthur Boyd, Sidney Nolan and Albert Tucker. Aboriginal works include bark paintings from Arnhem Land, pukumani burial poles from the Tiwi people and printed fabrics from central Australia. A permanent feature is The Aboriginal Memorial (1987-88), an installation of 200 painted hollow log coffins by the artists of Ramingining in Arnhem Land. The Memorial, a collaborative work involving 43 artists, is dedicated to all indigenous Australians who have lost their lives defending their country since European settlement. There's also plenty of foreign art from all eras, and many important international exhibitions are exhibited in Canberra on their way around the world. The collection is not confined to paintings; sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, furniture, ceramics, fashion, textiles and silverware are all on display.

Admission:
There is no charge to view the permanent collection, but admission may be charged for special temporary exhibitions

Opening time:
Daily 10am to 5pm

National Multicultural Festival,Canberra
The highlight of the cultural calendar of Australia's capital city is the 10-day extravaganza of entertainment and art, which makes up the annual National Multicultural Festival starting on the first Friday of every February. The festival launches with a huge concert which is followed on the succeeding ten days by a wide variety of exhibitions, open air markets, music performances, theatre, dance and numerous other events organised by all manner of businesses, organisations and diplomatic missions.

Date: February 2008, TBC
Venue: Various throughout Canberra

Royal Canberra Show,Canberra
The countryside comes to town for the Royal Canberra Show, popular for all ages and stages with its livestock, exhibits, fireworks and grand parades. More than 150 attractions pull the crowds to Exhibition Park, along with 5000 or more animals, hundreds of trade displays and thousands of competitors vying for various awards. Admission costs are A$15 for adults and A$8 for children aged 6-16 years. Concessions are available.

Date: 22-24 February 2008
Venue: Exhibition Park, Flemington Road, Mitchell
Time: 8.30am to 10pm

Canberra Balloon Fiesta,Canberra
The sight of dozens of colourful hot air balloons rising gently into the early morning air from the lawns in front of Canberra's Old Parliament House is stirring. Perhaps that is why Canberra's Fiesta has become Australia's premier ballooning event, and the city's signature autumn event. To complement the spectacle of the majestic balloons, there are also numerous other entertainments, sideshows and food stalls laid on in the vicinity for the duration of the fiesta.

Date: April 2008, TBC
Venue: Old Parliament House Lawns
Time: 6.30am (weather permitting)

National Folk Festival,Canberra
Thousands of entertainers, from story-tellers to circus clowns, and folk singers to crafters, gather together each Easter in Canberra for a mammoth folk-fest. No stone on the vast field of Australia's multi-cultural population is left unturned in this exciting themed event in a cleverly created village atmosphere. Besides a full concert programme, dance performances, poetry readings, free music lessons and children's entertainment the festival offers thrilling shopping opportunities at hundreds of stalls and plenty of delicious food, from paella to pizza and beyond.

Date: 5-9 April 2007
Venue: Exhibition Park

International Chamber Music Festival,Canberra
The chamber music on offer in Canberra's well-known annual Autumn series, played by brilliant international and Australian artists, is enhanced by the settings chosen for the concerts. The venues are all unique to Canberra, being inside embassies, national institutions and churches, all of national importance.

Date: 4-13 May 2007
Venue: Various

Australian Science Festival,Canberra
Bringing science alive is the aim of this eagerly awaited annual sortie into the world of technology and natural wonders, part of a nation-wide science week. Canberra community groups, businesses and government go all out to make the festival as exciting, intriguing and fun as possible with a host of workshops, demonstrations, and talks at various venues throughout the city. The festival is well-advertised with programmes available in shops and hotels well in advance. Most events in the science festival are free.

Date: 15-26 August 2007
Venue: Various