Canberra is full of hidden gems for kids to discover and explore. Photo: Australian Geosciences.
If you’re the parent of a curious child, you’ve likely unknowingly fallen into the role of a chronically overworked research assistant. It’s not easy dodging 1,000 questions every minute and constantly Googling things you haven’t thought about since elementary school. Luckily, Canberra is the perfect place for kids in STEM.
For example, did you know that we have CSIRO entomologists to thank for the invention of Aerogard? Yes, Australia’s iconic bug spray was developed right here in our nation’s capital to protect soldiers overseas from mosquito-borne diseases.
If your kids are intrigued by the facts, here are some top science destinations on your doorstep to help satisfy their thirst for knowledge.
1. Questacon
Questacon is all about experiencing science in action. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
It’s an obvious place to start, and for good reason.
Packed with sensory delights, fascinating experiments and hands-on experiences, it’s no wonder schools flock from all over to visit this national science center.
The rooms are arranged in a circular layout, so you can experience Questacon in pieces, or stay all day and take it all in. And when you’re feeling overstimulated (not if, but when), head down the ramp and find a quiet space under the gentle glow of the moon.
Check out our live show downstairs japanese theaterwhere: excited particles Theater companies bring science to life – often with loud music!
Family passes start at $70, so you can enjoy an epic day of edutainment at an affordable price, unless you’re in Von Trapp.
2. earth science australia
Our national public sector geoscience organizations have remits as vast as our rock collections. Photo: Provided.
Create an earthquake, touch a moon rock, and explore geological time. This place is a hidden gem and a treasure trove.
From tsunamis to bushfires, uranium to renewable energy, ocean research to space observations, Geoscience Australia provides data that drives decisions for a sustainable environment and economy.
Little prospectors will love the National Mineral and Fossil Collection, which consists of approximately 700 specimens that can be explored through treasure hunt activities.
It’s also home to the National Earthquake Warning Center, where kids can watch real scientists monitor and record environmental hazards.
And Canberra’s children don’t have to travel light years to reach the moon. On loan from NASA, it’s home to the only moon rocks in the southern hemisphere that you can actually touch.
Admission is affordable (i.e. free), and the on-site Blackstone Cafe is a great place to refuel between science topics.
3. cotter dam
One of the few major dams in the world to have been successfully expanded rather than destroyed and rebuilt. Photo: Vince Russell, Unsplash.
Kotterdam is for small tinkerers and analytical minds, providing a literal example of engineering and systems thinking.
Australia’s tallest roller-compacted concrete dam – 83 meters high and with a capacity of 76.2 billion liters – is uniquely designed to withstand extreme climate change and is one of the few major dams in the world to have been dramatically expanded.
The dam viewing area is accessed via the Cotter Dam Discovery Trail, a 1.4km loop along the river with information about Canberra’s water supply, dam expansion projects, environmental considerations and construction challenges.
Enjoy the day with a picnic at the nearby Cotter Reserve and playground. However, please leave your dog at home and don’t forget the trash. Remember, what you are looking at is our drinking water.
4. Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex (CDSCC)
A trip to Tidbinbilla Tracking Station (now known as CDSCC) is a Canberran rite of passage. Photo: CSIRO.
Just 40 minutes from Canberra through grassy bushland, you’ll find, oddly enough, the deepest part of the universe.
Our local space station, part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, is one of only three such facilities worldwide. CDSCC has sister stations in the United States and Spain and is responsible for continuous communications with more than 40 spacecraft exploring the solar system and beyond.
Kids will be instantly intimidated by the satellite’s enormity, and once inside the visitor’s center, they can see the latest images from across the solar system, explore models and hardware, and learn how astronauts live.
Tip: The cafe is currently closed, so BYO to avoid getting lost in the space with hungry kids.
5. Mount Stromlo Observatory
A night of public astronomy invites aspiring space cadets to explore the universe under the guidance of astronomers and astrophysicists. Photo: Provided.
Nothing beats Stromlo in terms of natural, heritage and scientific importance.
Home to the Australian National University’s School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, bushfires in 2003 severely damaged the site and destroyed a large research telescope.
However, you can also catch a glimpse through a small telescope with guided stargazing on public astronomy nights. You can also dive into the dizzying depths of galactic archeology and black hole phenomena at seminars. event calendar.
While the visitor center is still under construction, the Heritage Trail is a self-guided tour of the site’s history and fire effects, including a tour inside the restored Director’s Residence.
There’s no cafe on site, but there’s plenty of space and sweeping views to enjoy, so pack a picnic and enjoy it under the precision laser technology.
6. national botanical garden
Here, budding botanists develop at their own pace or through a variety of tours. Photo: Provided.
Exploring the gardens is an easy, accessible, family-friendly adventure.
From the tranquil Rainforest Gully promenade to the dramatic Red Center Garden, a stroll through the gardens will transport you all over Australia. In fact, this is the most diverse collection of Australian plants in the world. There are over 4,300 species, all within minutes of the CBD.
Guided walks take place twice a day, but you can also book a tour on the Flora Explorer electric bus to save your legs.
Picnic in the expansive shade of the Eucalypt Lawn or visit the award-winning Pollen Café, where you can enjoy a menu ranging from ‘dippy eggs’ and avo toast to nasi goreng. I have also obtained a license.
7. National Dinosaur Museum
Gather your wits as you adventure through this amazing museum experience. Photo: James Coleman.
Visitors to this private museum will be welcomed (or scared away!) by Canberra’s Tyrannosaurus, Stan. At 20 meters long and 6 meters high, he still has a habit of catching visitors by surprise with a twitch of his tail. Because this place isn’t all bones and fossils (though there are plenty of them, too).
Here you’ll find vibrant, interactive exhibits featuring animatronic models that bring ancient history to life, from subtle twinkles to impressive roars.
There’s a prehistoric garden party outside, complete with larger-than-life fiberglass creatures. If you’re brave enough, kids can get up close and personal.
In between scares, young paleontologists uncover endless dinosaurs, fossils, and the broader history of life on Earth.
The museum houses more than 150 dinosaur models, 23 complete skeletons and more than 300 fossils, making it Australia’s largest permanent display of prehistoric specimens.
All in all, a thrilling family trip – especially if the kids are having fun night at the museum.