The best tours in Canberra

Canberra Secrets Personalised Tours

Canberra Secrets Personalised Tours is a boutique tour business. It’s owned and operated by best-selling author Marg Wade. Marg provides a unique, high-quality, tailored tour experience of Canberra and surrounding region. Her tours expose the gems and secrets within the capital’s national icons and its lesser-known or hidden attractions.

Tours tap into the Canberra region’s very latest happenings and are a fabulous way to explore the capital’s cultural heart, heritage, natural wonders, and food and wine.

Marg is exceptionally knowledgeable about all things Canberra, having researched and written “Canberra Secrets”, now in its third edition. Marg has sold more than 11,000 copies of the book which promotes quirky and fun “behind-the-scenes” secrets of the nation’s capital.

Canberra Secrets Personalised Tours was a natural progression from Marg’s book. Tours started at the beginning of 2017, for residents and visitors and with something for everyone. The “Canberra Secrets Highlights” and “Taste of Real Australia” tours are popular.

Marg also tailors tours to specialised interests, such as architecture, Indigenous heritage, Australian politics, art, nature, festivals, events as well as, food and wine. Heritage Secrets tours are popular. So too are Orientation tours, loved by those moving to Canberra.

Tours vary in length and Marg takes care of all details.

On Google, Frank Douglas wrote, “Great professional tour guide for Canberra! I had a limited amount of time and three places I wanted to visit—Parliament, National War Memorial and National Art Gallery. Marg masterfully organized our plan so we could arrive at each site at the optimal time.”

Museum of Australian Democracy

Free tours of Old Parliament House introduce visitors to the building and its fascinating occupants from its opening in 1927 to the present day. This national heritage-listed building has a rich history. Knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides meet visitors in King’s Hall and take them to the Models Room to show the changes that have occurred over the decades. Tour guides also share intriguing stories of the many famous people who have walked the halls of Old Parliament House.

Old Parliament House is also home to the Museum of Australian Democracy and hosts innovative, contemporary exhibitions visitors can explore on their own. Special activities and spaces for children are available as are public programs that challenge and inspire.

Free ticketed tours depart daily at 10, 11, 12, 2 and 3. Book your free ticket.

Mulga Bicycle Tours

Safe and stress-free, Mulga Bicycle Tours offers fully supported cycling tours. This includes inspired and invigorating tours of Canberra’s history, culture and natural beauty. Jump in the saddle for a private guided bike tour, Capital Highlights Tour, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Tour, Capital Twilight Tour or tailored tours for up to 10. All cycling abilities welcome.

As Dee Cross wrote on Google, “I enjoyed the Mulga Floriade, Canberra and Nearby NSW Tour immensely. Highlights were many …”

Classic Capital Golf Tours

Whether you’re a beginner or a golfing pro, or you’re stumped for a gift idea for the golfing nut in your life, Classic Capital Golf Tours has you covered. This chauffeur driven day of championship golf, gourmet food and wine – all within 30 minutes of the CBD – takes away the worry of trying to organise a golfing day yourself and shows you how great Canberra golf courses can be.

David Cohen recently went on one of these tours, and left the following Google review, “I highly recommend Warren, at Classic Capital Golf Tours. (…) Warren was great at providing a multi-faceted experience, involving golf, meals, transport and training. (…) Thanks Warren, I really enjoyed the latest tour that you put together for me! DC.”

Tim the Yowie Man Tours

If it’s the weird and the spooky you’re after, Tim the Yowie Man has you covered. Tim has carved a curious career for himself as a mystery investigator and crypto-naturalist and has dedicated the past fifteen years to travelling the length and breadth of Australia in search of haunted and unexplained happenings. With a wide range of Canberra-based tours, from the Old ANU by Torchlight tour or the Top Secret Tour of Old Parliament House, among many others all filled with spooky ghost tours and hidden histories, Tim the Yowie Man is here to show you a darker side of Canberra.

Facebook user Debbie Crane writes, “Every tour we have been on with Tim have been fun, engaging, interesting, educational, scary… absolutely enjoyable. Tim is awesome.”

Eat Canberra Food Tours

Eat Canberra Food Tours will take you on a foodie adventure and show you hot spots and hidden gems around town. These walking food tours include all food and drink at each venue that you visit and can be organised for all occasions including hens’ nights, Christmas and birthday parties, corporate events and more.

As Nella Powell writes in this Facebook review, “A really great afternoon chatting, sampling, tasting, learning, walking, laughing. So much information shared about food, sites and other restaurants of interest. (…) Locals and visitors will enjoy this foodie treat. Do it!”