What to do in Canberra in May 2017

Quick answer: If you are wondering what to do in Canberra in May 2017, combine the city’s top galleries, Parliament House and the National Arboretum with the month’s events: Groovin the Moo, truffle hunts, the Spanish Film Festival and the Canberra International Music Festival.

In the southeast of Australia you will find the nation’s capital, Canberra. This wonderful city is just 150 kilometers from the South Coast and 281 kilometers from Sydney. Filled with galleries, renowned museums and students from prestigious universities, it will win your heart in no time.

Getting to Canberra

• International flights: direct flights from Singapore and Wellington
• Domestic flights: frequent services from the big Australian cities
• By road: about a three-hour drive from Sydney and a six-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne

Where to Go in Canberra

National Gallery of Australia and National Portrait Gallery

When it comes to culture, Canberra is the number one city in Australia. At the National Gallery of Australia you can see more than 7,500 pieces of Aboriginal, Asian and Australian artwork, while the National Portrait Gallery holds many fascinating bodies of portraiture.

Parliament House

If you are into modern architecture, make sure you visit Australia’s Parliament House. There are free guided tours every day at 9.30 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3.30 pm. From 2 pm onwards you can watch question time when parliament is sitting, and there are many exhibitions and public galleries too.

National Arboretum and Lake Burley Griffin

Nature enthusiasts should visit the National Arboretum and dreamy Lake Burley Griffin. The National Arboretum is a 250-hectare site with 100 forests and 100 gardens focused on rare and symbolic trees from all parts of the world. It also has a café, a restaurant, plenty of picnic areas and several pieces of public art.

On Lake Burley Griffin you can enjoy beautiful views as well as yachting, kayaking, paddle boating and windsurfing.

Canberra Events in May 2017

Now that you know which places to visit, here are the events you should check out as well.

Groovin the Moo (GTM) Festival

GTM stands for “Groovin the Moo”, and it is the only touring regional music festival in Australia. It starts on the 7th of May, and the lineup is already out. If it is too far from where you are staying and you are going with a large enough party, convenient Canberra buses are a great way to get there. If you are up for some partying, make sure you check it out.

Canberra Truffle Hunts

Give yourself a wintery experience hunting for the world’s most expensive food in the oak forest. Follow the exceptionally talented truffle dogs as they sniff out famous Perigord truffles among more than 2,000 trees. Once the perfect truffle is found, you head back to the truffle shed for a taste of this delicacy.

You can choose from truffle hunts, breakfast hunts and lunch hunts. If you are coming at the end of May and staying through June, put this on your Canberra bucket list – you won’t regret it.

2017 Spanish Film Festival

If you are a cinephile, Canberra has your back: from the 19th of April until the 7th of May you can enjoy the best of Spanish cinema. Palace Barracks and Palace Centro Cinemas will screen films such as KIKI, EL AMOR SE HACE from the famous director Paco Leon. This hilarious and complex comedy explores marriage, love and sex through five intertwined stories set in Madrid – definitely worth seeing.

P.S. The opening night will be followed by a party with catering.

2017 Canberra International Music Festival

We saved the best for last. The Canberra international music festival began in April 1994 as The Canberra International Chamber Music Festival and became an annual event in 1997. It expanded rapidly between 2005 and 2008 with support from arts patron Barbara Blackman, and it now presents around 30 concerts every year.

If you are a culture enthusiast, make sure you are in Canberra from the 27th of April until the 7th of May. You will see performers such as the Van Kuijk Quartet, James Morrison, Alexandre da Costa, Lisa Moore and many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Canberra from Sydney?

Canberra is 281 kilometers from Sydney, roughly a three-hour drive.

Are the Parliament House tours in Canberra free?

Yes. Free guided tours run every day at 9.30 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3.30 pm.

When is truffle season in Canberra?

Truffle hunts are an experience for visitors arriving at the end of May and staying through June.

What festivals are on in Canberra in May 2017?

Groovin the Moo, the Spanish Film Festival (until 7 May) and the Canberra International Music Festival (27 April to 7 May).

Conclusion

Between world-class galleries, Parliament House, the National Arboretum and a packed events calendar, there is plenty to do in Canberra in May. How do you like Canberra? Which events seem best to you? Let us know in the comments.

Author Bio

Roxana is a Sydney based travel enthusiast with a passion for writing. She loves fashion and has an eye for anything visually appealing and aesthetical. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. You can find her articles on HighStyleLife.

Have you seen something amazing during your travels? Write about it and have it published on Backpackways.com Know How To!