Sam McClymont soaks up Canberra’s culture, creativity and vibrant arts scene

If you thought Australia’s capital was all about politics and policies, think again! Sam McClymont discovered that Canberra is brimming with culture, creativity and has a vibrant arts scene. 

Location: 

Canberra, ACT 

Costs: 

National Arboretum www.forestsculpturegallery.act.gov.au 

Forest Sculpture Gallery open daily. Free entry. 

Handmade Market, Canberra www.handmadecanberra.com.au 

Held 4 times a year - next market 19 & 20 September. 

National Gallery of Australia www.nga.gov.au 

Open daily, 10am-5pm. Free entry. 

Prices correct at 01.08.26 

Highlights: 

Beyond Parliament House and public servants, Canberra has hidden masterpieces and unique experiences scattered throughout the city, proving that there is truly more than meets the eye. For a striking introduction to the city’s fusion of natural beauty and man-made art, Sam visited the National Arboretum where the Forest Sculpture Garden is nestled amongst 44,000 rare, endangered and symbolic trees. 

Four times a year, the creative community comes out of the woodwork for the Handmade Canberra Markets at Exhibition Park. The markets bring together over 260 of Canberra and Australia’s best independent designers and makers. You’ll find great food and drinks, wineries and distilleries, fashion for adults and kids, beautiful artworks, jewellery, and candles. The markets showcase the diverse creative spirit of the community, featuring makers like public servants unleashing their inner artiste and veterans-turned-goat-farmers with a passion for skincare.

At the National Gallery of Australia you’ll find the country’s most valuable art collection, with more than 155,000 works, including world-famous pieces like Claude Monet’s famous Water Lilies and Jackson Pollock’s Blue Poles. The Gallery is free to explore with more priceless pieces scattered along the banks of Lake Burley Griffin in the Sculpture Garden. Come sunset, Lindy Lee’s huge ‘Ouroboros’ steals the show. Incorporating recycled materials and using renewable energy for lighting, walking in and around the sculpture reminds visitors that creativity never really ends; it’s something that keeps moving and evolving, just like the city itself.