Your autumn fun activity guide

Find some solo or family fun with these nature reserve and urban park experiences

Autumn is here and while it does bring on some cooler weather, there is still plenty to keep yourself and your family occupied.

Our Parks and Conservation iSpy activity is a great opportunity to get out and explore as a family. Themed to send you searching for some of the best locations across Canberra. Download the iSpy activity sheet (852.0 KB).

Below are just some of the nature reserves and urban parks that offer experiences not only for the kids, but adults as well.

An aerial view of Canberra suburbs and Lake Burley Griffen

Scope out the streetscapes

Canberra's deciduous trees transform our city into a tapestry of colour throughout autumn as their leaves change to display vivid reds, purples, oranges and yellows.

Don't miss the pin oaks on Ebden Street in Ainslie, London planes on Arthur Circle in Forrest, Chinese pistachios on Friendship Street in Redhill and European nettle trees on Allambee Street in Reid.

If you discover a fantastic autumn streetscape please send us a photo at TreeColours@act.gov.au with the location of the trees and your name.

Cycle the Centenary Trail

There are many parks and reserves in the ACT to explore on your bicycle. Miowera Forest takes you through a pine plantation dating back to 1984, Bruce Ridge Nature Reserve provides natural bushland settings across Aranda Bushland, Black Mountain, O'Connor Ridge, Mount Painter and The Pinnacle nature reserves, and Grevillea District Park boasts water views on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

However, one of the best ways to discover Canberra is through the Centenary Trail. A 145-kilometre self-guided, non-motorised loop trail for walkers and touring cyclists, the Centenary Trail showcases urban and rural Canberra, as well as iconic sites and hidden treasures. The Centenary Trail is divided into daily sections. You can join or leave the trail in many locations. The entire trail can be explored as:

  • a 7-day walk, averaging just over 20 km per day
  • a 3-day ride, averaging just over 45 km per day

To plan out your peddling, visit our Cycling and mountain bike riding page or Find a park.

Sunrise over Canberra with hot air balloons

See the sunrise

The autumn sunrises in Canberra are truly spectacular, and there’s no better places to watch than our parks and reserves.

If you’re up for a morning walk, Black Mountain and Mount Taylor nature reserves will certainly reward your efforts. If you’d prefer a drive, Red Hill Nature Reserve will offer breathtaking views. You can use the “Lookout” feature filter on our Find a park page to discover a spot near you.

Over 9 days in March, sunrise seekers will also be treated to the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, filling the morning skies with a range of hot air balloons as part of the Enlighten Festival. If you’re trying to decide on the best vantage point, the 2022 Canberra Region Tourist Attractions award winner - National Arboretum Canberra – is a local favourite.

As the clocks are wound backwards for daylight savings in early April, the exact timing of sunrises across autumn can vary. Be sure to search the latest sunrise times before setting your alarm to ensure you don’t miss out.

Picnic at playgrounds

In Canberra, we are spoilt for choice between nature play spaces and urban playgrounds.

Head to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and check out the Nature Discovery Playground. Complete with a flying fox, slide, bounce toys, swing and climbing rope, the nature play space has something for kids of all ages – and adults too!

For a bit of lake side fun, John Knight Memorial Park in Belconnen is 12 hectares of space right on the eastern foreshores of Lake Ginninderra. You can make a full day of this one with facilities like BBQs, toilets, fitness and play equipment and a disc golf (frisbee golf) course.