Canberra is is Australia’s national capital, and often referred to as the Bush capital because of the abundance of nature in close proximity to the city.
Although not as flashy as other capital cities, Canberra is a great place to visit for the huge number of national and cultural institutions and experiences, most of which are suitable for people with all kinds of accessibility needs. Canberra is generally accessible for people with disability and the city is very family-friendly and inclusive, making it a great accessible tourism destination.
There are so many things to do in Canberra, and choices will depend on preferences for nature, national institutions, cultural experiences, or adventure. Wheelchair accessibility is quite straightforward unless otherwise noted, and many locations have wheelchairs or scooters for loan to visitors.
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Public transport (buses and trams), including Canberra’s hop-on hop-off tourism circuit, are wheelchair accessible and have both visual and auditory stop information. Unfortunately, Canberra’s public transport doesn’t go to some big tourist draw cards such as the Mount Ainslie lookout, Telstra Tower, the National Zoo and Aquarium, the Arboretum and attractions along the Cotter Road such as Mount Stromlo Observatory and Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
There is a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Service (WATS) that participates in the Taxi Subsidy Scheme, including accepting interstate vouchers.
I use support workers from HireUp and I’ve used the HireUp platform to book support workers in other cities so I’m sure the same could be done for people needing support when visiting Canberra. Mobility Matters and Total Mobility rent and repair (as well as sell) mobility equipment.
Accommodation option in the area: The Woden Hotel
Mount Stromlo Observatory's observing facilities were damaged by the 2003 Canberra bushfires. The shell still remains and is popular with photographers. See spectacular views over Canberra and the Brindabellas and make use of the barbeque and picnic facilities.
Take an interactive heritage walk with the Smartphone application. Discover the site's history; from its use as a World War II optical munitions factory to the Observatory's post 2003 recovery.
Stroll past the only operational research telescope at the Stromlo Satellite Laser Ranging observatory, part of the Australian National University's site. Check their website for dates of periodic walking tours and stargazing events.
The Cotter Recreation Area, also known as The Cotter, is located just 25 minutes south west of Canberra's CBD. Although it is just a short drive from the city, you feel miles away from anywhere with no phone reception, kangaroos on the side of the road and bushland for as far as the eye can see. The Cotter is a series of reserves close together along the Murrumbidgee River, with playgrounds, places to swim and free BBQs so you can stay all day and cook up a snag or two. This city escape is a popular area for Canberra locals - particularly families. You can take a walk along the 1km Cotter Dam Discovery Trail and take in the views of the towering dam wall, which contains the drinking water for Canberra and the surrounding region.
The Tidbinbilla Valley has played an important part of the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) nature conservation efforts since 1936 and was gazetted as a nature reserve and national park in 1971.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (turn off where Paddy’s River Road becomes Tidbinbilla Road) has many areas with accessible paths, including through the Koala Enclosure, and a TrailRider (cross between an all-terrain wheelchair and wheelbarrow for a person to sit in) for loan to explore the less accessible trails. Continuing along Tidbinbilla Road leads to the turn-off towards Canberra’s southern suburbs and eventually the village of Tharwa, the gateway to Namadgi National Park (which covers almost 50% of the ACT but is currently closed for public safety due to the devastating 2020 bushfires).
The CSIRO-Tidbinbilla Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, which has a Visitor Centre outlining Australia’s impact (including the role of the complex and tracking the Apollo lunar module) on space exploration and a café.
When reopened, the Visitor’s Centre is wheelchair accessible and recovery plans should include wheelchair-accessible walking trails.
Note: Tidbinbilla and Namadgi recreational areas including the Visitor Centres are closed until further notice.
Venture into Namadgi to discover its Aboriginal heritage. Experience wonderful birdlife, picnic and camping spots and fantastic bushwalks with scenic views. Hire a Personal Locator Beacon from the Namadgi Visitor Centre if you're going to be hiking in remote areas.
Enjoy ranger guided walks or escape into the rugged Bimberi wilderness. Horse riding and mountain biking is permitted only on designated fire trails. Campgrounds are located in pleasant bushland settings - ask at the Namadgi Visitor Centre.
Take a walk on the Bendora Arboretum heritage track through a mature conifer and deciduous forest that offers insight into the historical and natural value of the last high altitude arboretum in the region. Located on Mount Franklin Road, five kilometres from Bulls Head, the the Bendora Arboretum is now home to some of the best examples of mature conifer trees seen anywhere in the world.
Namadgi National Park is located at the northern end of the Australian Alps, 45 minutes drive from Canberra city.
Canberra ACT, Australia 
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