Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

Easter long weekend in Canberra: What’s open and things to do

Not sure what's open over the Easter long weekend? Here’s your guide along with the events and attractions you can check out in Australia's Capital Territory.

Avatar
Avatar

By

Courtney Edwards

&

Stephanie Yip

Edited by

Joselle Delos Reyes

Updated

Fact checked

Planning to head out to the ACT over the Easter long weekend? You won't be short on choices of attractions to visit and events to attend on 7–10 April.

Here's what's open from Good Friday to Easter Monday plus all the best events and attractions happening over the long weekend.

Things to do over the Easter long weekend in Canberra

Paintball game

Paintball game from RedBalloon

Round up your mates to burn off some steam over the long weekend with an adrenaline-filled game of paintball. You'll each be given 100 paintballs to make your mark. Good luck.

  • Location: Monaro Hwy & Old Tuggeranong Road, Canberra ACT
  • Cost: $152 for a half-day for 8 people
View details
Canberra Scenic Helicopter Flight

Canberra Scenic Helicopter Flight from RedBalloon

Take the ultimate sky-high adventure with a helicopter flight that drinks up the sights of the countryside, including Murrumbidgee River and Cotter Dam.

  • Location: Wallaroo
  • Cost: $747 for 3 people
View details
Alpaca Interactive Tour

Alpaca Interactive Tour from RedBalloon

Take a break from the city and meet some new fuzzy friends at the local alpaca farm. Open on Easter Sunday, this is a DIY interactive tour that sees you walk beside these creatures, take snaps with them and learn from an experienced tour guide.

  • Location: Blackwattle Alpaca Farm, 315 Patemans Lane, Murrumbateman, NSW, 2582
  • Cost: $130 for 4 people
View details
Hot Air Ballooning

Hot Air Ballooning from RedBalloon

The Easter weekend in autumn is a perfectly magical time to fly over Canberra in a hot air balloon. After a dazzling ride over the city, enjoy champagne back on the ground.

  • Location: Departs from Canberra
  • Cost: $760 for 2 people
View details
Canberra Photography Tour

Canberra Photography Tour from Wotif

The Easter long weekend is a great time to pick up a new skill, and if you’ve got a creative flare, a photography tour around Canberra could be right up your alley.

  • Location: Suite 1, Level 1/44-52 Townshend St, Phillip, Canberra
  • Cost: $473 per person
View details
Electric Picnic Boat Rental

Electric Picnic Boat Rental from Klook

Take a boat out onto Lake Burley Griffin this Easter long weekend. Pack a picnic and have lunch on the water or in one of the many parks along the lake.

  • Location: Lake Burley Griffin
  • Cost: $129 per person
View details
Vintage Wine Tasting with 3-course Lunch

Vintage Wine Tasting with 3-course Lunch from RedBalloon

Dine in style this Easter long weekend. Make your way across the New South Wales border for an indulgent wine tasting featuring 8 wines and a 3-course lunch.

  • Location: 810 Norton Road, Wamboin
  • Cost: $270 for 2 people
View details
Mystery Picnic in Canberra

Mystery Picnic in Canberra from Klook

Enjoy a mystery picnic in Canberra with a visit to Canberra’s best inner-city businesses this Easter. Start with an empty basket before filling it with gourmet ingredients as you make your way to your mystery picnic location.

  • Location: Mystery location
  • Cost:$70 for a picnic for =2
View details
Jet Flight Simulator Challenge

Jet Flight Simulator Challenge from Adrenaline

Make the most of the long weekend by testing your skills with a new activity. Immerse yourself in a Boeing 737-800 NG flight simulator where you’ll be challenged with bad weather, tricky runway landings and missing equipment.

  • Location: 4/4 Montford Crescent, Lyneham
  • Cost: $180 per person
View details
National Museum of Australia Building and Architecture Tour

National Museum of Australia Building and Architecture Tour from RedBalloon

Calling all culture enthusiasts. Explore the National Museum of History with a guided tour that will give you an in-depth look at culture and history from all over the world right here in Australia.

  • Location: Lawson Crescent, Acton
  • Cost: $15 per person
View details
Cheetah Encounter at the National Zoo

Cheetah Encounter at the National Zoo from Adrenaline

Make the Easter long weekend memorable with an up close experience with a cheetah at the National Zoo.

  • Location: 999 Lady Denman Drive, Yarralumla
  • Cost: $195 per person
View details
Beer, Wine and Spirits Half-day Tour

Beer, Wine and Spirits Half-day Tour from RedBalloon

Enjoy a half-day beer, wine and spirits tour with visits to 2 breweries, a winery and a distillery where you’ll get to sample the local beer, wine, gin and more.

  • Location: Departs from Braddon
  • Cost: $164.50 per person
View details

Shops open over the Easter long weekend in Canberra

Shopping centreGood FridaySaturdayEaster SundayEaster Monday
Canberra CentreClosed9am-5pm10am-4pm10am-4pm
Canberra Outlet CentreClosed10am-6pm10am-6pm10am-6pm
Erindale Shopping Centre7:30am-5:30pm7:30am-5pm7:30am-5pm7:30am-5:30pm
Majura Park Shopping CentreClosed10am-5pm10am-4pm10am-4pm
Westfield WodenClosed9am-5pm10am-4pm10am-4pm

Attractions open over the Easter long weekend in Canberra

AttractionGood FridaySaturdayEaster SundayEaster MondayWhere to book
National Museum9am-5pm9am-5pm9am-5pm9am-5pmRedBalloon
National Zoo and Aquarium9am-5pm9am-5pm9am-5pm9am-5pmRedBalloon
National Gallery of Australia10am-5pm10am-5pm10am-5pm10am-5pm
National Portrait Gallery10am-5pm10am-5pm10am-5pm10am-5pm

Restaurants, cafes and bars open over the Easter long weekend in Canberra

RestaurantAddressOpening hoursCuisineWhere to book
La Cantina4 Iluka Street, NarrabundahFriday-Saturday:
12pm-2pm
Sunday-Monday:
Closed		ItalianGroupon
Railway Hotel Lockhart33 Brookong Street, LockhartFriday-Saturday:
11:30am-3pm
Sunday:
11:30am-3pm
Monday:
11:30am-3pm		IndianGroupon
China Tea Club7 Montford Crescent, LynehamFriday: 11:30am–1:30pm, 5–10:30pm

Saturday-Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
11:30am–1:30pm, 5–9:30pm

ChineseGroupon
Takeaway Vegan PhoShop 5, 28 Challis Street, Dickson ACTFriday-Saturday:
5pm-9:30pm
Sunday:
5pm-9:30pm
Monday:
5pm-9:30pm		Australian, VeganGroupon
1882 Bar & Grill13 Gladstone Street, HallFriday:
12-10pm
Saturday-Sunday:
8am-10pm
Monday
Closed		Australian, cafe
65 Northbourne Restaurant and Wine Bar65 Northbourne Avenue, CanberraMonday-Saturday:
11am-2am
Sunday:
Closed		Australian
Assembly Bar11 Lonsdale Street, BraddonFriday:
7am-1am
Saturday:
7:30am-1am
Sunday-Monday:
7:30am-10pm
Bar
Bentham Street Bar and Pizza2/29 Bentham Street, YarralumlaFriday-Sunday:
5:30pm-9pm
Monday:
Closed		Italian
BentSpoke Brewing Co38 Mort Street, BraddonFriday-Saturday:
11am-12am
Sunday-Monday:
11am-11pm		Bar
Happy's Chinese Restaurant17 Garema Place, CanberraFriday-Monday:
11:30am-2pm, 5pm-9pm		Chinese
Kynefin2/4 Victoria Street, HallFriday:
8:30-3pm
Saturday-Sunday:
8am-3pm
Monday
Closed		Cafe
Muse CanberraUnit 3, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, KingstonFriday-Saturday:
7am-2pm
Sunday-Monday:
7am-12pm		Australian
Old Canberra Inn195 Mouat Street, LynehamFriday-Saturday:
12pm-12am
Sunday-Monday:
12pm-10pm		Modern Australian
Rye Cafe9 Lonsdale Street, Braddon ACTFriday:
6:30-3pm
Saturday-Sunday:
6:30am-3:30pm
Monday:
6:30am-3pm		Cafe
Sammy's at the ForeshoreUnit 142, Element 39-45 Eastlake Parade, KingstonFriday-Saturday:
12pm-11pm
Sunday:
12pm-10pm
Monday:
Closed		Chinese, Asian, Malaysian
Sunday in Canberra54 Ernest Cavanagh Street, GungahlinFriday:
8:30am-2:30pm
Saturday-Sunday:
8am-2:30pm
Monday:
8:30am-2:30pm		Cafe
The Front1 Wattle Place, LynehamFriday:
7am-3pm
Saturday-Sunday:
8am-3pm
Monday
7am-3pm		Cafe
The Italian Place38 Mort Street, BraddonFriday-Sunday:
12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-9pm
Monday
Closed		Italian
Walt and Burley17-21 Eastlake Parade, KingstonFriday:
10am-12am
Saturday-Sunday:
8am-12am
Monday:
10am-12am		Australian

Note: The above is accurate as of 31 March 2023. Public holidays may affect normal trading hours. Contact the venue before visiting to confirm its trading hours for 7-10 April 2023.

What events are on in Canberra over the Easter long weekend?

  • National Folk Festival. Enjoy an array of indoor and outdoor concerts in Queanbeyan. Some highlight acts include Luke O'Shea, Mick Thomas, Jessie Lloyd, Fred Smith and Steve Poltz. There are loads of events spread across the weekend for you to enjoy. 6–10 April. Tickets from $42 per person.
  • Easter Saturday Chocolate Indulgence. Head to the Hotel Kurrajong Canberra for a delectable chocolate brunch featuring orea cupcakes, profiteroles, cheesecake and gelato. 8 April. Tickets from $109 per person.
  • Canberra Steam Train Rides. Tots and kids will love riding the rails of a steam train. Over the Easter long weekend, it runs daily from Canberra to Bungendore through the Molonglo Gorge. Bookings are recommended.
  • The Little Burley Market. Soak up waterside views while you tuck into gourmet food at this new Saturday market. There are arts and crafts to keep the little ones busy while you shop the artisan wares. Saturday 9:30am–1:30pm.
  • Tuff Nutterz Canberra. At almost 300 square metres, Tuff Nutterz is Australia's largest inflatable obstacle course. Tackle slides, climbing walls, balance balls and more. This family-friendly event has a mini obstacle course for energetic tots and child-friendly music and shaded areas to chill out in afterwards.

Free things to do in Canberra over the Easter long weekend

  • Cycle around Lake Burley Griffin. Get on your bike and explore Canberra.
  • Pay your respects at the Australian War Memorial. Take a free tour and learn more about the history of Australia's military.
  • Have a picnic in a park. Lennox Gardens is a perfect place for a picnic.
  • Take a tour of Parliament House. Parliament has daily tours and you can even sit in on question time and see what the politicians get up to at work.
  • Visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Walk among the beautiful native plants from all over Australia.

See the latest Easter deals

RedBalloon
Deal

Up to 10% off Canberra hot air balloon flights with code FD300

Available on select travel dates when you spend a minimum of $300. T&Cs apply.
Get deal
Classbento
Deal

Cocktail-making classes from $55

Available on select dates in 2023 in locations across Australia such as Canberra, Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and more. Sample price is for an introductory virtual cocktail-making class in Brisbane.
Get deal
RedBalloon
Code

Things to do in Canberra from $15 + an extra 5% off with code

Available on select dates when you buy 2 or more vouchers. Activities include tandem skydives, dinning experiences, getaways, spas, wine tastings and more. T&Cs apply.
Show code
Groupon
Deal

Up to 65% off Canberra tours and sightseeing activities

Available on select travel dates until 2023.
Get deal
Cudo
Deal

Up to 73% off things to do in Australia

Available on purchases such as getaways, dining experiences, attraction passes, sightseeing cruise, cinema tickets and day tours. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Canberra and Brisbane.
Get deal
Classbento
Deal

Canberra classes and workshops from $40

Available on select dates on activities including painting classes, soap-making workshops, cooking classes and flower crown-making. Sample rate is for a sewing class.
Get deal
Classbento
Deal

Canberra workshops from $25

Available on select dates on activities such as drumming for wellness classes, local tours, arts and crafts workshops and more.
Get deal

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and 6. Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site