National Arboretum Canberra – open to Canberrans for picnics, dog walking, mountain biking
Canberra Lockdown may be tough to take, but with beautiful places like the National Arboretum Canberra open for Canberrans (Ken Behrens!) to picnic, stroll through the gardens, walk the dog and mountain bike in, you’d hardly know it’s lockdown at all!
The National Arboretum Canberra is a fantastic resource for Canberrans. Its beautiful landscaping, trees, lawns, gardens, wildlife and sweeping views all make this a wonderful space to spend time in – plus of course the famous Pod Playground.
National Arboretum Canberra Lockdown temporary changes
- The Village Centre building which houses the gift emporium, visitor information and café is closed during lockdown, however there are temporary toilets supplied outside of the building for visitors. The bonsai building is also temporarily closed.
- The Pod Playground is open for kids to have fun in, as are all the other outdoor attractions such as picnic lawns, kite flying and outdoor gardens
- BBQs are currently closed, but picnic tables and chairs are open
- Face mask wearing is a requirement around others outside of your household, as it is exercising elsewhere in the ACT. You don’t need to wear it if you are not around others (other than your own household) when exercising outside.
- You will need to limit your exercise time at the Arboretum to no more than the limited exercise hours allowed, as mandated by the ACT government at that time
One of the top-ten things to do in Canberra
The National Arboretum is 250 hectares of nature-meets-landscaping at its most gorgeous – a delicious central café, rolling green lawns for picnics, mass patterned tree plantings, old and new forests to explore and breathtaking views on every rise – this is a truly gorgeous place to spend an afternoon or morning at.
The Village Centre and National Arboretum Cafe (when lockdown lifts)
The Village Centre is the huge, dome-like building that sits atop the hill in the centre of the Canberra Arboretum. Commanding stunning views across the Arboretum grounds and Canberra City, it houses some great attractions.
Inside you can admire the beautiful architecture, including lofty timber ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. It’s here you’ll find tourist information displays, public toilets and a huge gift emporium.
The gift shop, The Curatoreum, is full of unusual gift ideas – many botanically themed. This is where to shop for that perfect Christmas gift (or just spoil yourself – their book collection alone is to die for!).
A large café with tempting cakes and coffee and delicious lunch choices features both indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re visiting with the family, you can eat outside and watch the kids play in the Pod Playground.
Just outside of the main building you’ll find the Bonsai Collection and Penjing Collection, a room full of the most amazing Bonsai trees. There are also several lovely outdoor gardens to wander through, including a new children’s garden.
Just down the path is the striking Margaret Whitlam Pavilion which is used for events such as weddings.
Things to do at the National Arboretum Canberra
The Pod Playground
It’s no wonder the Pod Playground is a big favourite not only of Canberra families, but also frequent visitors to Canberra.
Children of all ages love this unique wood-crafted playground fashioned around acorns and Banksia. Climb in and out of the nuts, scale from one pod to the other via a series of rope tunnels and go down the spiraling slides – dance (or stomp!) on the musical pathway, scale the climbing frame and swing away the day in this fun Canberra playground.
Even the pre-schoolers get their own little scaled-down banksia pods section. This unique Canberra playground is definitely a don’t-miss if you’re in Canberra with kids!
Watch our video of the Village Centre attractions and Pod Playground
Watch this video to see what visiting the National Arboretum Village Centre is like…
One of the best dog walks in Canberra
If you’ve brought your four legged friend along to the Arboretum with you, you’ve come to the right place! Although dogs aren’t allowed inside the Village Centre, they are allowed in the grounds provided they are kept on a lead.
There are many trails snaking all over the Arboretum for use by mountain bikers, walkers and dog walking. Don’t worry about getting lost, as there are plenty of map markers along the way, and the trails are good underfoot. This is a beautiful place to walk the dog as you pass through forests and valleys, and see a multitude of gorgeous birds. As you top each hill, the next offers views even more beautiful than the last. Perfect!
Watch our video of our dog walk around the Arboretum
Watch this video to see what walking your dog around the National Arboretum is like…
The Perfect Canberra Picnic
The National Arboretum has some beautiful picnic areas. Apart from the lawns just outside of the Village Centre there are two stand-outs.
The picnic deck is located deep within the Himalayan Cedar Forest. From the car park, simply head straight down the wide path. Large table seating areas and barbeques can be found there (BBQs are closed during lockdown), shaded by the huge old trees.
The connecting lookout has stunning views right across to the Captain Cook fountain in Lake Burley Griffin!
Perhaps the most spectacular picnic table in Canberra – if not Australia – is the one you’ll find up on Dairy Farmers Hill. If you’re not feeling energetic enough for the climb on foot, drive straight up and park in the car park. From there, walk or wheel chair the sealed path to the picnic table right on the edge of the hill near the Eagles Nest (“Nest III”) sculpture. There is also a large deck with a long curved bench further along the path. Enjoy a lunchtime or supper picnic with simply incredible picture-postcard views of Black Mountain Tower, Canberra City and beyond.
Go fly a kite!
Don’t forget to bring your kite with you, as the National Arboretum is a favourite Canberran kite-flying location. Just head out the back of the Village Centre to the big lawn bowl near the Margaret Whitlam Pavillion – it must have great aerodynamics, as I haven’t seen a failed kite flight there yet!
Important info and tips
- Bring your sunscreen, hat, drinking water and walking shoes
- The Arboretum grounds close at 5:30pm or 8:30pm (daylight savings time)
- Keep your pets on a leash and no dogs are allowed in the Village Centre
- Paths are multi-use – mountain bikes, walkers and dog walkers share the trails
Where is the Canberra Arboretum?
The National Arboretum Canberra is located on Forest Drive off the Tuggeranong Parkway, approximately 6 kilometres drive from Canberra’s city centre in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
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