Best Day Trips from Canberra 2026

Day Trips from Canberra 2026 — Overview

Canberra's location at the foot of the Snowy Mountains and within 90 minutes of the NSW South Coast makes it an outstanding base for day trips. From snow fields to pristine beaches, vineyards to colonial townships, here are the best day trips from Canberra in 2026.

NSW South Coast (1.5-2 hours east)

Batemans Bay (1.5 hours, excellent seafood and beaches), Moruya, Narooma, Tilba Tilba (heritage gold rush village) and Bermagui are all within reach. Guerrilla Bay and Broulee are beautiful and uncrowded beaches. sapphirecoast.com.au

Snowy Mountains — Kosciuszko (2-2.5 hours)

Mount Kosciuszko (Australia's highest peak, 2,228m) is accessible year-round. In winter (June-September): skiing at Thredbo and Perisher. In summer (December-March): the Kosciuszko Express chairlift carries you high for alpine walking and wildflower meadows. thredbo.com.au

Braidwood (1 hour south-east)

A beautifully preserved 1840s gold rush township. The main street is largely unchanged since the 19th century, with excellent galleries, antique stores and the Braidwood Hotel. The Mongarlowe and Araluen valleys are spectacular drives nearby.

Southern Highlands (1.5 hours north)

Goulburn (1 hour — Australia's first inland city, Big Merino, the Goulburn correctional centre museum), Bowral (Bradman Museum, Southern Highlands wine, autumn foliage), Berrima (Australia's most intact Georgian village). visitnsw.com

Lake George and ACT Surrounds

Lake George (Federal Highway — when water is present it's striking, periodically dry), Bungendore township (woodworks gallery, cafes, antiques — 30 minutes east) and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve are easy half-day options from central Canberra.

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