Things to do with teenagers in Canberra

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• Australian War Memorial Campbell

  The Australian War Memorial on Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell, is Australia's national memorial and museum for those who served in war and on operations.

  Ages 6–17 · Free · ★ 4.8 (14,502)

• Questacon - National Science & Technology Centre Parkes

  Questacon is the National Science and Technology Centre in Parkes, Canberra, with hands-on exhibition galleries for all ages.

  Ages 3–17 · From $20 · ★ 4.7 (7,849)

• National Gallery of Australia Parkes

  The National Gallery of Australia on Parkes Place, Parkes, holds the national art collection.

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (7,009)

• National Museum of Australia

  The National Museum of Australia is on Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, beside Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

  Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (8,473)

• Mount Ainslie Lookout

  Mount Ainslie Lookout sits at the summit of Mount Ainslie (842 metres) in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, looking over Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin and the mountains of…

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.7 (5,403)

• Kingpin Canberra Canberra

  Kingpin Canberra is a bowling and entertainment venue on Level 1 of the Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City, near Rebel.

  Ages 5–17 · From $20 · ★ 4.8 (4,042)

What it costs

The best-known paid places, with the lowest price on their own page. Prices change; the listing has the current ones.

What a 12 year old can do, and what needs 16

Adrenaline

Karts, trampolines, ropes courses, climbing walls and the big parks.

• Power Kart Raceway Griffith

  Power Kart Raceway at 125 Canberra Avenue, Griffith, is an indoor centre with electric go-karts, Jungle Golf glow-in-the-dark mini golf, VR and laser tag.

  Ages 4–18 · From $10 · ★ 4.3 (1,328)

• BlocHaus Bouldering Fyshwick Fyshwick

  BlocHaus Fyshwick is an indoor bouldering gym at Unit 2, Building 2, 1 Dairy Road, Fyshwick.

  Ages 5–18 · From $7 · ★ 4.6 (397)

• Zone 3 Belconnen

  Zone 3 is a laser tag arena at 28 Weedon Close, Belconnen, operating since 1996.

  Ages 6–17 · From $16 · ★ 4.6 (303)

• Corin Forest

  Corin Forest is an all-seasons alpine venue about 45 minutes' drive from Canberra's CBD.

  Ages 2–17 · From $10 · ★ 4.0 (679)

• Flip Out Majura Majura

  Flip Out Majura is an indoor trampoline park at Unit 1/7-17 Mustang Ave, Majura.

  Ages 3–17 · From $10 · ★ 4.1 (430)

• Mountain Strong Fyshwick

  Mountain Strong is an indoor bouldering gym at 66-68 Townsville St, Fyshwick, with over 100 boulder problems from beginner to advanced over soft mats, plus a strength…

  Ages 5–18 · From $16 · ★ 4.9 (117)

• BOUNCE Belconnen Belconnen

  BOUNCE Belconnen is an indoor trampoline and adventure park at MM3 Westfield Belconnen, 18 Benjamin Way.

  Ages 1–17 · From $13.50 · ★ 4.2 (251)

• Ninja Parc Fyshwick Fyshwick

  Ninja Parc Fyshwick is an indoor ninja obstacle course at 11 Whyalla St, Fyshwick.

  Ages 8–14 · From $13.95 · ★ 4.4 (149)

• Canberra Aqua Park Acton

  Canberra Aqua Park is a seasonal inflatable obstacle course on Lake Burley Griffin at Black Mountain Peninsula, with slides, ladders and a jumping pillow.

  Ages 4–14 · From $20 · ★ 4.5 (133)

• Treetops Adventure Canberra Majura

  Treetops Adventure Canberra is a high ropes park in the Majura Pines forest, near Mount Majura Vineyard.

  Ages 3–16 · From $29 · ★ 4.2 (178)

• BlocHaus Bouldering Mitchell Mitchell

  BlocHaus Mitchell is an indoor bouldering and parkour gym at 1/2 Essington Street, Mitchell with 500 square metres of climbing walls and an 80 square metre parkour area.

  Ages 12–18 · From $7 · ★ 4.8 (80)

Escape rooms, VR and arcades

Locked rooms, virtual reality and the bowling-and-arcade barns that work for a group.

• Questacon - National Science & Technology Centre Parkes

  Questacon is the National Science and Technology Centre in Parkes, Canberra, with hands-on exhibition galleries for all ages.

  Ages 3–17 · From $20 · ★ 4.7 (7,849)

• Kingpin Canberra Canberra

  Kingpin Canberra is a bowling and entertainment venue on Level 1 of the Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Canberra City, near Rebel.

  Ages 5–17 · From $20 · ★ 4.8 (4,042)

• Riddle Room Canberra Mitchell

  Riddle Room Canberra is an escape room venue at 8/160 Lysaght Street, Mitchell.

  Ages 8–17 · From $45 · ★ 4.9 (1,377)

• Escape Rooms Canberra Phillip

  Escape Rooms Canberra in Phillip runs three private escape rooms where a group has 60 minutes, plus 10 minutes of overtime, to solve puzzles and escape.

  Ages 10–16 · From $35 · ★ 4.9 (1,041)

• Timezone & Zone Bowling Belconnen Belconnen

  Timezone & Zone Bowling Belconnen is a combined bowling and arcade venue at 1 Emu Bank, Belconnen.

  Ages 5–16 · From $19.90 · ★ 4.2 (1,151)

• Missing Klues Escape Rooms Fyshwick

  Missing Klues is an escape room venue at Unit 8, 151-155 Gladstone Street, Fyshwick.

  Ages 14–17 · From $45 · ★ 4.9 (413)

• Hijinx Hotel Canberra Canberra

  Hijinx Hotel Canberra is an indoor venue in the Canberra Centre, at the corner of Cooyong Street and Ainslie Avenue, with 15 themed challenge rooms where teams try to…

  Ages 3–17 · From $16 · ★ 4.8 (337)

• Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex Visitor Centre

  The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) Visitor Centre is at 421 Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla, about a 40-45 minute drive south-west of the city centre.

  Ages 5–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (288)

• Timezone Woden Phillip

  Timezone Woden is an arcade and entertainment venue in Westfield Woden, at the corner of Bradley and Corinna streets in Phillip.

  Ages 5–17 · From $6 · ★ 4.6 (175)

• VR Canberra - Virtual Reality Games and Rides Mitchell

  VR Canberra is a virtual reality games venue at Shop 5/83-101 Lysaght St, Mitchell.

  Ages 7–17 · From $49 · ★ 4.5 (117)

• Zero Latency VR Canberra Mitchell

  Zero Latency VR Canberra, run by Jolt Games at 56 Hoskins Street, Mitchell, is a free-roam virtual reality arena where up to eight players share one game on a…

  Ages 10–18 · ★ 4.9 (78)

• Metaphysica Virtual Reality Greenway

  Metaphysica is a virtual reality venue at Shop 176, South Point Shopping Centre, Tuggeranong.

  Ages 8–17 · From $10 · ★ 4.8 (22)

Surf, paddle and swim

Surf lessons, kayaks, aqua parks and the patrolled beaches teens head for.

• Canberra Olympic Pool Canberra

  Canberra Olympic Pool at 36 Constitution Avenue in the city is a community aquatic and recreation centre run by Belgravia Leisure.

  Ages 0–17 · From $6.46 · ★ 3.7 (214)

• Balloon Aloft Canberra Pialligo

  Balloon Aloft Canberra runs sunrise hot air balloon flights over Canberra and has been flying for more than 35 years with CASA-approved pilots.

  Ages 13–13 · From $329.73 · ★ 4.4 (89)

Real climbs, lookouts and skate parks

The longer graded walks with a view at the top, plus skate parks and pump tracks.

• Mount Ainslie Lookout

  Mount Ainslie Lookout sits at the summit of Mount Ainslie (842 metres) in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, looking over Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin and the mountains of…

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.7 (5,403)

• Holey Moley Golf Club Canberra Canberra

  Holey Moley Golf Club Canberra is an indoor 18-hole mini golf venue at the Canberra Centre, on the corner of Cooyong Street and Ainslie Avenue, next door to Hijinx Hotel.

  Ages 3–17 · From $14 · ★ 4.7 (415)

• Jungle Golf at Power Kart Raceway Griffith

  Jungle Golf is an indoor, 18-hole, jungle-themed mini golf course lit by UV black lights at Power Kart Raceway, 125 Canberra Avenue, Griffith.

  Ages 3–17 · From $17 · ★ 4.5 (141)

• The Saddle Camp Braidwood

  The Saddle Camp is a horse riding farm at 1040 Bombay Road, Braidwood NSW, run by instructor Helen Faulkner, with two ponies and two horses.

  Ages 2–14 · From $40 · ★ 4.9 (83)

• Canberra International Golf Centre Narrabundah

  Canberra International Golf Centre at 61 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah, has a 64-bay all-weather driving range, an 18-hole mini golf course, an 18-hole pitch and…

  Ages 5–18 · From $6.50 · ★ 4.2 (157)

• Tuggeranong Archery Club Greenway

  Tuggeranong Archery Club is a not-for-profit club affiliated with Archery Australia, running since 2002, with main, indoor, field and clout ranges.

  Ages 8–18 · From $15 · ★ 4.6 (73)

• Canberra Archery Club Lyneham

  Canberra Archery Club runs an outdoor archery range at 41 Thurbon Road, Southwell Park, Lyneham.

  Ages 8–18 · From $30 · ★ 4.5 (58)

• Tuggeranong Skatepark Greenway

  Tuggeranong Skatepark is an ACT Government skatepark in Tuggeranong Town Park, off Bartlet Place in Greenway.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.4 (57)

• Mini Golf Federation Nicholls

  Mini Golf Federation is an 18-hole mini golf course in Federation Square, Gold Creek Village, at Shop 5a, 18 O'Hanlon Place, Nicholls, between the Canberra walk-in…

  Ages 3–17 · From $10 · ★ 4.5 (45)

• Forest Park Riding & Equitation School

  Forest Park Riding and Equitation School at 912 Cotter Rd, Stromlo, teaches riders from age 2.

  Ages 2–18 · From $35 · ★ 4.3 (52)

• Gungahlin Skate Park Gungahlin

  The Gungahlin skatepark at Yerrabi District Park is one of seven major skateparks in Canberra that ACT City Services describes as suitable for all levels of use.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.1 (37)

• Weston Valley Archery Club Weston Creek

  Weston Valley Archery Club is an Archery Australia-affiliated club at the corner of Dixon Drive and Streeton Drive, Holder, serving central and southern Canberra.

  Ages 7–16 · From $20

• Weston Creek Skate Park Weston

  Weston Creek Skate Park is one of seven major ACT Government skateparks, which City Services describes as suitable for all levels of use.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.1 (30)

• Taman Kuda Club Murrumbateman

  Taman Kuda Club is an equestrian school and agistment property at 365 Bushs Lane, Murrumbateman, (Yass Valley), founded in 2021.

  Ages 4–18 · From $67

• Fadden Pines Skate Bowl Fadden

  Fadden Pines has a small public skate bowl in Fadden Pines District Park, Fadden, reached from Bugden Avenue.

  Ages 5–18 · Free

• Taut Archery Lyneham

  Taut Archery is an archery coaching service run by Joseph, an accredited Archery Australia coach, with sessions held at the Canberra Archery Club, 41 Thurbon Road,…

  Ages 6–18 · From $65

Rainy days and culture

Galleries, science museums, cinemas and shows that hold a teenager's attention.

• Australian War Memorial Campbell

  The Australian War Memorial on Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell, is Australia's national memorial and museum for those who served in war and on operations.

  Ages 6–17 · Free · ★ 4.8 (14,502)

• National Gallery of Australia Parkes

  The National Gallery of Australia on Parkes Place, Parkes, holds the national art collection.

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (7,009)

• National Museum of Australia

  The National Museum of Australia is on Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, beside Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.

  Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (8,473)

• Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House Parkes

  The Museum of Australian Democracy is inside Old Parliament House at 18 King George Terrace, Parkes.

  Ages 6–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (5,311)

• National Dinosaur Museum Nicholls

  The National Dinosaur Museum at 6 Gold Creek Rd, Nicholls, displays life-like dinosaur models, full skeletons, skulls, fossils and animatronic dinosaurs, which it…

  Ages 2–17 · From $15 · ★ 4.3 (3,286)

• National Portrait Gallery Parkes

  The National Portrait Gallery on King Edward Terrace, Parkes, sits in front of the High Court and next to the National Gallery of Australia.

  Ages 5–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (2,146)

• Australian Parliament House Capital Hill

  Australian Parliament House is the meeting place of the federal Parliament, and entry is free.

  Ages 0–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (2,061)

• Old Bus Depot Markets Kingston

  The Old Bus Depot Markets is an indoor Sunday market in Kingston, held in the Former Transport Depot, a 1927 building from early Canberra, on the Kingston Foreshore.

  Ages 0–17 · ★ 4.2 (2,983)

• Mount Stromlo Observatory

  Mount Stromlo Observatory is run by the Australian National University's Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.

  Ages 0–18 · ★ 4.3 (952)

• Canberra Railway Museum Kingston

  Canberra Railway Museum is a volunteer-run museum at 2 Geijera Place, Kingston, covering more than 100 years of railway history in the ACT.

  Ages 5–15 · From $5 · ★ 4.7 (151)

• Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre Acton

  The Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre at the National Museum of Australia in Acton is a play-and-learn space for children from birth to 6 years.

  Ages 0–17 · From $5 · Sensory-friendly sessions · ★ 4.4 (52)

• Canberra Youth Theatre Braddon

  Canberra Youth Theatre runs weekly drama workshops for school students in Years 4-6 and Years 7-10, led by professional theatre artists in the B Block Studio at Gorman…

  Ages 7–25 · From $25

• Budding Entertainment Braddon

  Budding Entertainment is a Canberra theatre company, education provider, production house and talent agency founded by writer and producer Kirsty Budding, running since…

  Ages 5–17 · From $349

Classes and programs for 13+

Art, drama, music, coding and youth programs that take teenagers.

• Quizzic Alley - Canberra Fyshwick

  Quizzic Alley is a licensed Harry Potter merchandise store at 5 Pirie Street, Fyshwick, with a themed interior including an original Ford Anglia for photos and a QBrew…

  Ages 5–17 · From $49 · ★ 4.8 (619)

• Canberra Potters Watson

  Canberra Potters is a not-for-profit ceramics centre at the Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson.

  Ages 6–16 · From $320 · ★ 4.5 (147)

• Deep Blue Ceramics Weston

  Deep Blue Ceramics is a community pottery studio at 5 Souter Place, Weston, offering handbuilding and wheel-throwing classes, courses, memberships and private sessions.

  Ages 6–17 · From $62 · ★ 5.0 (71)

• photo access Griffith

  photo access is a community centre for photography, film, video and media arts at Manuka Arts Centre, 30 Manuka Circle, Griffith, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm.

  Ages 8–16 · ★ 4.8 (51)

• Latorta Fyshwick

  Latorta is a cake decorating, baking and chocolate supplies shop at Shop T1 in the Niche Markets wing of the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, 36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick,…

  Ages 5–17 · ★ 4.5 (62)

• Aeon Academy Yarralumla

  Aeon Academy is a before-school, after-school and school holiday program based in the Art Wing at Yarralumla Primary School, built around learning through creative and…

  Ages 5–16 · From $49.16 · ★ 4.7 (31)

• Pointe2Pointe Gungahlin

  Pointe2Pointe is a dance school teaching students from age two to adult, with classes at Gungahlin Uniting Church, 108 Valley Avenue, Gungahlin, and Forde Community…

  Ages 3–18 · From $15 · ★ 4.7 (22)

• Lisa Clark Dance Centre Hume

  Lisa Clark Dance Centre has taught dance in Canberra since 1990 from its studio at 3/73 Sheppard Street, Hume.

  Ages 3–18 · From $35 · ★ 4.8 (20)

• Lavender Art Studios Phillip

  Lavender Art Studios, established in 1999, runs art classes on the first floor at 42 Townshend Street, Phillip.

  Ages 5–18 · From $645

• Ainslie Arts Centre Braddon

  Ainslie Arts Centre at 30 Elouera Street, Braddon, is one of two community arts centres run by Ainslie+Gorman; the other is Gorman Arts Centre at 55 Ainslie Avenue.

  Ages 5–17

• Let's Pour Acrylic N Resin Bonner

  Let's Pour is a mother-and-daughter business teaching acrylic paint pouring and resin art, now based at 44 Unthank Street, Googong NSW.

  Ages 5–17 · From $60

• studioMAP Griffith

  studioMAP is an art school for children and teens in studio 3 of M16 Artspace, Blaxland Crescent, Griffith.

  Ages 6–18 · From $48

Free things teenagers rate in Canberra

• Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex Visitor Centre

  The Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) Visitor Centre is at 421 Discovery Drive, Tidbinbilla, about a 40-45 minute drive south-west of the city centre.

  Ages 5–17 · Free · ★ 4.5 (288)

• Mount Ainslie Lookout

  Mount Ainslie Lookout sits at the summit of Mount Ainslie (842 metres) in Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve, looking over Canberra, Lake Burley Griffin and the mountains of…

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.7 (5,403)

• Tuggeranong Skatepark Greenway

  Tuggeranong Skatepark is an ACT Government skatepark in Tuggeranong Town Park, off Bartlet Place in Greenway.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.4 (57)

• Gungahlin Skate Park Gungahlin

  The Gungahlin skatepark at Yerrabi District Park is one of seven major skateparks in Canberra that ACT City Services describes as suitable for all levels of use.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.1 (37)

• Weston Creek Skate Park Weston

  Weston Creek Skate Park is one of seven major ACT Government skateparks, which City Services describes as suitable for all levels of use.

  Ages 5–18 · Free · ★ 4.1 (30)

• Fadden Pines Skate Bowl Fadden

  Fadden Pines has a small public skate bowl in Fadden Pines District Park, Fadden, reached from Bugden Avenue.

  Ages 5–18 · Free

• Australian War Memorial Campbell

  The Australian War Memorial on Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell, is Australia's national memorial and museum for those who served in war and on operations.

  Ages 6–17 · Free · ★ 4.8 (14,502)

• National Gallery of Australia Parkes

  The National Gallery of Australia on Parkes Place, Parkes, holds the national art collection.

  Ages 3–17 · Free · ★ 4.6 (7,009)

More free things for teens in Canberra

Kids eat free deals that still cover teenagers

14 of the 24 kids-eat-free deals in Canberra have no age limit under 13: 3rd Space (Hackett) on Thursdays, no age limit stated; Bloom Room (City) on Tuesdays, no age limit stated; Casey Jones Pub (Casey) on Mondays, no age limit stated; Eastlake Club Gungahlin (Gungahlin) on Tuesdays, no age limit stated. All kids eat free deals in Canberra.

Questions parents ask

What do teenagers actually like in Canberra?

Questacon, the War Memorial, karting, the bouldering gyms, the ropes course, the aqua park in summer and the alpine slide. The lookouts and the lake bikes are the free wins.

Is there karting for teens?

Yes: the raceway takes younger children in slow karts and teenagers in faster ones, with a height rule. The listing shows the age and height limits and the session prices.

Can we go to the snow from Canberra?

The ski fields are about two hours' drive and run day trips in winter; Corin Forest, 45 minutes away, makes snow for tobogganing and runs the alpine slide all year.

What free things do Canberra teens like?

The Mount Ainslie and Black Mountain climbs, the National Gallery and Portrait Gallery, the lake loop on a bike, the skate parks and kangaroo spotting at the reserves. The free picks on this page are the teen-rated ones.

More in Canberra

• Accessible and sensory-friendly things to do in Canberra
• Visiting Canberra with kids: day plans
• Free things to do with kids in Canberra
• Kids eat free in Canberra
• School holiday activities in Canberra
• All kids activities in Canberra

Things to do with teenagers in other cities

• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Brisbane
• Gold Coast
• Perth
• Adelaide
• Cairns
• Hobart
• Darwin
• Sunshine Coast
• Newcastle