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What’s open in Canberra right now?

Here's a list of the shopping centres, public venues, attractions and dining spots open to Canberra locals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Courtney Edwards
Courtney Edwards

Updated . What changed?

Fact checked
Canberra

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The Australian government has announced a three-step plan to ease lockdown restrictions across Australia. From 19 June, dining spots, gyms and entertainment venues will open to a maximum of 100 people at one time. Miss your favourite local eatery? See our list of restaurants, cafes and bars now open in Canberra.

If you need to head out, but don't know what's open, you'll find all of the details here. Plus, see our top recommendations for things to do in Canberra.

What's in this guide?

Note: The below is accurate as of 15 July 2020. Due to the changing nature of the situation, it's best to get in contact with the venue or attraction prior to visiting to ensure it is open for business.

19 June: What can I do in Canberra and the ACT?

  • Visit a household without restrictions
  • Dine in at a restaurant or cafe seating 100 patrons
  • Gather at a public venue with 100 patrons, excluding staff
  • Participate in full-contact training for sport, dance and martial arts
  • Visit indoor and outdoor movie theatres, amusement venues, arcades and play centres where a maximum of 100 patrons can safely distance themselves
  • A maximum of 100 patrons can visit the gym, swimming pools, weddings, funerals, beauty salons, campgrounds and places of worship at one time
  • Visit a gallery, museum or historical site where the one person per 4 square metres rule is in place

Travelling in the ACT

While ACT's borders were never officially closed, you can now travel for leisure within the ACT without worry, unless you're feeling unwell. If you do travel, it's recommended to maintain physical distancing of up to 1.5 metres from others and practice good hygiene.

See the latest travel deals available within Canberra and New South Wales:

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What's open in Canberra

Canberra attractions open in October 2020

AttractionOpening hours
National Zoo and Aquarium Open 9:30am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
National Museum of AustraliaOpen 9am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
The National Dinosaur MuseumOpen 10am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
National Gallery of AustraliaOpen 10am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
National Portrait GalleryOpen 10am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
Australian War MemorialOpen 10am - 5pm Monday to Sunday
Palace Electric CinemaOpen 10am - 10pm Monday to Sunday

Parks and walking trails

There are plenty of great spots in Canberra for you to explore. Gatherings of up to 20 people is permitted from 29 May. Just be sure to keep a 1.5-metre distance from any person you come into contact with while outside.

Here are some of the top parks and walking trails you can visit:

Parks

  • Acton Park
  • Australian National Botanic Gardens
  • Canberra Nara Peace Park
  • City Hill
  • Commonwealth Park

Walking trails

  • The Centenary Trail
  • Mount Ainslie
  • Murrumbidgee Discovery Track
  • National Arboretum

Shopping centres and grocery stores

It's business as usual for shopping centres and grocery stores. . Shoppers are encouraged to use the tap and go payment method, to use the hand sanitiser that is likely to be found at the entry and exit point of a store and to be mindful to keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres between you and other shoppers.

  • Canberra Centre: Open and trading as usual. Retailer trading times may vary.
  • Homeworld: Open and trading as usual. Homeworld has increased the frequency of cleaning in high-touch areas, including bathrooms and common spaces.
  • Majura Park Shopping Centre: Open and trading as usual.
  • Manuka Shopping Precinct: Open and trading as usual. Retailer trading times may vary.
  • Westfield: Westfield Belconnen and Westfield Woden are open. Trading hours may vary between stores. Hand sanitiser is available at the concierge desk and increased cleaning measures have been implemented.

Are hotels open in Canberra?

Yes. You can make a booking and stay at a hotel in Melbourne. Additional hygiene measures will be in places and some amenities may be unavailable.

Looking to book accommodation in Canberra? These hotels are open now.

Do I need to pre-book to visit dining venues and attractions?

If you're looking to visit an eatery or attraction, it's best to book in advance while some restrictions are still in place in Canberra.

What restaurants and cafes are open in Canberra?

Restaurants and cafes in Canberra can now open their doors and serve customers. If you're heading out for coffee, leave your keep cup at home for now as takeaway cups are being used as a hygiene and safety precaution.

If you know of any other eateries that have reopened, let us know in the comments below.

RestaurantAddressCuisineOpening datesSee available deals
Otis Dining Hall1/29 Jardine Street, 2604, Kingston, ACTModern AustralianOpenSee deals
1882 Bar & Grill13 Gladstone Street, Hall, ACTAustralian, CafeOpen
65 Northourne Restaurant and Wine Bar65 Northbourne Ave, Rudd St, Canberra ACTAustralianOpen
Assembly Bar11 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACTBarOpen
Barrio Collective Coffee28 Lonsdale St, BraddonCafeOpen
Bentham Street Bar and Pizza2/29 Bentham Street Yarralumla, YarralumlaItalianOpen
BentSpoke Brewing Co38 Mort St, Braddon, ACTBarOpen
Capital Brewing CoBuilding 3/1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick, ACTBarOpen
GrazingCnr Cook And Harp St, GundarooModern AustralianOpen
Happy's Chinese Restaurant17 Garema Place, CanberraChineseOpen
Highball Express1/82 Alinga St, Canberra ACTBarOpen
Kita Cafe59 Boolimba Cres, Narrabundah ACTCafeOpen
Krack'd Peppa1 Isabella Dr, Gilmore ACTCafeOpen
Kynefin2/4 Victoria St, Hall ACTCafeOpen
La Cantina4 Iluka Street, Nurrabundah, Canberra, Narrabundah, ACTItalianOpen
Milky LaneUnit 3/21 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACTAustralianOpen
Muse Canberranit 3, East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston, ACTAustralianOpen
Old Canberra Inn195 Mouat St, LynehamModern AustralianOpen
P.J O'Reilly'sCorner Alinga St And West Row, CanberraBarOpen
Pilot1 Wakefield Gardens, Ainslie, ACTModern Australian3 June
Rebel Rebel23 Marcus Clarke St, Acton ACTFusion30 May
Royal Hotel85 Monaro St, QueanbeyanBurger, Pizza, BarOpen
Rye Cafe9 Lonsdale St, Braddon ACT 2612, Braddon, ACTCafeOpen
Sammy's at the ForeshoreUnit 142, Element 39-45 Eastlake Parade Kingston, CanberraChinese, Asian, MalaysianOpen
Southern Cross Club92-96 Corinna Street, Woden, Phillip, ACTAustralianOpen
Sunday in Canberra54 Ernest Cavanagh St, Gungahlin ACTCafeOpen
Sweet Bones8/18 Lonsdale St, Braddon, Braddon, ACTBakeryOpen
Temporada15 Moore St, CanberraModern AustralianTBC
The Boat HouseGrevillea Park, Menindee Dr, Barton ACTAustralianOpen
The Front1 Wattle Pl, LynehamCafeOpen
The Howling Moon150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACTBarOpen
The Italian Place38 Mort St, Braddon ACTItalianOpen
Walt and Burley17-21 Eastlake Parade, KingstonAustralianOpen
XO16 Iluka Street, Narrabundah, ACTAsian, FusionOpen
ZaabUnit 2, 9 Lonsdale Street, BraddonThaiOpen

What bars are open in Canberra?

List of bars in Canberra that are now serving customers.

NameAddress
Gus' PlaceShop 8, Garema 8 Arcade, Bunda Street
Super BaoUnit 240, 6 Cape Street, Dickson
Agostinis69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Joe's BarInside East Hotel, 69 Canberra Avenue, Kingston
Molto Italian155/43 Eastlake Parade, Kingston
XO16 Iluka Street, Narrabundah
The Meating Room45 Liardet Street, Weston Creek
Space KitchenFurzer Street, Woden
Kynefin2/4 Victoria Street, Hall

What's closed in Canberra?

The Australian government is urging people not to leave their houses unless it's essential. Before heading out, see what's closed in Canberra.

  • Markets: Markets including Old Bus Depot Markets are temporarily closed.
  • Nightclubs: Nightlife in Canberra is looking quiet until further notice as all nightclubs are temporarily closed.

Quick ways to save cash

Spending some money in Canberra? How about saving a little too? There are plenty of little changes that you can make to your daily expenses to save some extra cash, which is a pretty good idea in this time of uncertainty.

Find out how to save money on your credit card or switch your energy provider for better rates. Here are some guides on how to save money.

Picture: GettyImages

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