30 Popular Things to do in Canberra During UniSport Nationals

Make the most of every meal, night out, and free arvo during your trip to the capital for UniSport Nationals, 7 – 13 September. Whether you want to relive your favourite childhood memories at Questacon or discover the underground bars in Canberra, this guide has you covered.

To celebrate the 30 sports at UniSports 2024 here are 30 things to do, see, eat, and drink during your trip to the capital. Can you tick them all off?

1. Try wheelchair basketball, virtual downhill skiing, rock climbing, and football penalty shootouts at Sportex at the Australian Institute of Sport.

2. Sip a coffee made by an Australian Barista Champion.

3. Challenge yourself on an aerial obstacle course set amongst a pine forest at

Treetops Adventure Canberra.

4. Tour Canberra’s breweries to taste Australia’s favourite beer two years running and the nation’s first carbon-neutral brews.

5. See iconic sites including the Australian War Memorial and Australian Parliament House on a walk beloved by locals, the five-kilometre bridge-to-bridge loop.

6. Hop between cafes, restaurants and bars in the foodie heaven that is Braddon.

7. Hike Canberra’s four urban peaks and be rewarded with stunning lookouts.

8. Catch a gig or two at the capital’s popular live music bars.

Live Music

9. Meet talented local artists at Canberra’s 30+ boutique art galleries (free entry).

10. Roar with a T-Rex at the National Dinosaur Museum.

11. Enjoy a floating picnic on a sustainable, electric GoBoat made from recycled PET bottles or skipper your own luxury Love Boat.

12. Complete a lap of the capital on the Canberra Centenary Trail.

13. Watch classic films at the National Film and Sound Archive.

14. Visit famous faces at the National Portrait Gallery (free entry).

15. Identify native plants used for medicinal, culinary and cultural use by traditional 16. custodians on a Ngala Tour of the National Arboretum Canberra.

16. Browse The Little Burley Market at the lake’s edge every Saturday to taste gourmet food and find artisan goods.

17. Head to the Australian National Botanic Gardens (free entry), home to over 4500+ native plants.

18. Keep an eye out for the ghost rumoured to haunt Blundells Cottage, a 150+ year-old home on the shores of the lake.

19. Walk in the footsteps of decision makers at Australian Parliament House (free entry).

20. Live out your witch and wizardry dreams at Quizzic Alley, a store dedicated to Harry Potter’s magical world.

21. Spot koalas at The Sanctuary in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

22. Discover local tales at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (free entry).

23. Immerse yourself in the art of a French Post-Impressionist master at

Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao at the National Gallery of Australia (free membership for 18-25 year olds).

24. Shop the wares of dozens of local craftsmen and vintage sellers at Dirty Janes Canberra, a warehouse full of delights.

25. Learn how women and queer people have shaped history in Canberra on a

She Shapes History tour.

She Shapes History Tours

26. See endangered spotted quolls at Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary (free entry).

27. Uncover Australia’s many stories at the National Museum of Australia (free entry).

28. Walk through 90+ forests of rare and significant trees at the

National Arboretum Canberra (free entry).

29. Celebrate science and history at CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs at Questacon with a LEGO display meticulously crafted by Brickman.

30. Enjoy free public transport (just show your UniSport accreditation) or see the city on two wheels as you cycle along Canberra’s many bike paths and trails.

Discover more to do at visitcanberra.com.au