Canberra Holiday Weather Overview
Canberra is Australia’s capital city and federal capital that was built in order to resolve the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney, with neither city agreeing that the other could be named as the capital.
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory and is situated 410 miles from Melbourne and 170 miles from Sydney and is the eighth largest city.
Best place to eat in Canberra
With food that ranges from European cuisines to that of Vietnam, there is a great range of restaurants available in Canberra to keep even the pickiest foodies happy.
For those who have an adventurous palate there is Simply Pho that serves Vietnamese cuisine to delight and satisfy those with even the most refined tastes. For those who want to enjoy fine dining there is the Courgette Restaurant and Sage Restaurant, though these are both very expensive with dishes starting at £33.
For a more relaxed dining experience there is Ethiopia Down Under, the Bollywood Masal Dickson and the Olive at Mawson that all provide fantastic food at much more reasonable prices but don’t compromise on the atmosphere.
Top places to stay in Canberra
Canberra has a lot of hotels to offer travellers with a small number of bed and breakfasts, private rentals options and apartments.
Hotel Realm and Hotel Hotel are two of the more contemporary and interesting hotels on offer in Canberra, both are five star rated and have excellent facilities. If however you are more comfortable staying in a hotel that belongs to a chain there is the Novotel Canberra, the Mercure Canberra and the Crowne Plaza Hotel Canberra.
If you prefer to stay in something a little more nostalgic and quaint then the University House maybe what you are looking for. As far as rental apartments there are several small townhouses as well as larger villas that include Evolve, Lyneham Pines and Normanby properties.
Things to do and see in Canberra
As the capital city of Australia, Canberra has lots of different cultural attractions that can only be found in the city. Boasting cultural attractions such as the Australian War Memorial, the National Portrait Gallery, the Royal Australian Mint and Turner from the Tate – National Gallery of Australia, there is plenty of things to see if you want to learn more about the history of the city and of Australia.
For those who prefer attractions based outdoors instead of in there is the Lake Burley Griffin in the city that provides a spot of tranquillity aside from the hub of activity in Canberra. There are also places such as the Namadgi National Park, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the Boorooma Rocks Walk and the beautiful Floriade that contain flora and fawna native to the Australian Central Territory.
If you are looking for more involved activities such as sports there are several golf clubs, the ACT Racing Club, table tennis facilities as well as bicycle hire that can give you a different way of getting round the city.
Best month to visit Canberra
Canberra has no real best holiday period to visit. As it is not afflicted by the same weather hazards as some of the other Australian cities it is pleasant to visit all year round. If you want a holiday for the heat then visiting during the summer is your best bet, if you are more interested in nature then autumn and spring in Canberra might be more of your cup of tea. If you are looking to escape the heat of summer elsewhere then you may well be best visiting Canberra during the winter.
Spring in Canberra
Spring - September and October - offers bright, clear days and cool nights, so pack some layers or cover ups for the sometimes chilly night air. During spring, Canberra's many parks and garden busts into life, and it's also the ideal time to visit the nearby Brindabella ranges or the Namagdi National Park in the "Australian Alps". If you do visit Canberra in the spring, you won't want to miss the Floridae Festival - running throughout the spring months, this is Australia's largest and most iconic festival of spring.
Summer in Canberra
Summer in Canberra runs from December to the end of February. Here you can expect warm temperatures of around 26-28°C, and some days of light rain occasionally. Canberra has three major lakes and plenty of waterways, so water sports are a popular way to while away the summer days - enjoy sailing on Lake Burley Griffin or water skiing on Lake Ginninderra. Alternatively, use the well planned public transport system to visit some of Canberra's key sights, including the extraordinary Parliament House and the National Botanic Gardens.
Autumn in Canberra
During the autumn months, Canberra's many trees warm the city with spectacular displays of reds and oranges. Between March and May the weather is Canberra is generally mild by day, but rather chilly at night. Bring a waterproof jacket, as it rains on about 7-8 days during each of these months. There can be a touch of frost in the mornings, or fog, but it tends to clear quickly. There are lots of autumn festivals in Canberra to enjoy, including the hot air balloon festival.
Winter in Canberra
Winter, from June to August, can be truly beautiful in Canberra. Sharp frosts and chilly temperatures give way to clear sunny but cool days, and there is a crispness to the air which is very appealing. Average winter temperatures come in at about 10°C, with a low point hovering around 1 to freezing. Wrap up warm but don't be deterred from exploring the city - it's less crowded in the winter, and there is still plenty to do. If you're not a fan of the chill, indoor activities beckon. With museums and galleries to explore, you'll easily keep busy - and the kids will love Questacon, Australia's national science and technology museum.
What to pack for Canberra?
Much like visiting any city in the UK or northern reaches of the USA, when it comes to visiting Canberra in the winter thick, warm clothing is advisable including coats and some wet weather clothing. In the summer shorts and t-shirts are more than enough, but as the city is inland unless the accommodation you are staying at has a pool, it is best to leave the bikinis and swimming shorts at home.
Best months to visit Canberra?
February and March are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Canberra. Within Australia the weather data gathered from Canberra weather forecast and Canberra weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 26°c and average of 205.6667 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Canberra?
July and August are the coldest months with temperature at around 2°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Canberra?
November and February receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 73.00mm.
Travelling to Canberra? Check out our Weather averages of Canberra to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Canberra section.