Flights from Townsville to Canberra

When is the best time to visit Canberra?

Canberra is a great year-round destination. No matter if your flights to Canberra land at Canberra Airport (CBR) in the summer or winter, here's what you can expect from each season.

Summer (December to February)

Heading off on end-of-year flights to Canberra? Pack your sunscreen and favourite swimsuit. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities like watery adventures on Lake Burley Griffin. One of the biggest summer events is Canberra's National Multicultural Festival. Book your return flights to Canberra for February in order to get involved with the festival’s live music performances and carnival parade.

Autumn (March to May)

If you're not a fan of summer's sweltering temperatures, search for airfare to Canberra for autumn travel. Temperatures hover around 20°C degrees, and the city transforms into a tapestry of beautiful autumn colours. History buffs may plan their airfare to Canberra around Anzac Day, 25 April, to pay respects and attend the ceremony held at the Australian War Memorial. Other notable autumn events include the Canberra Marathon in April, and the National Folk Festival and the Canberra Balloon Spectacular in March.

Winter (June to August)

Bargain hunters after a deal on tickets to Canberra should consider visiting the city over winter. While Canberra Airport (CBR) welcomes fewer sightseeing tourists during the colder months, there's still plenty to see and do

Spring (September to November)

Spring is a beautiful time of year to book airfare to Canberra. Floriade (one of the city's top annual events) takes place, and visitors can see millions of tulips blooming in Commonwealth Park. Along with summer, spring is a busy period for the city. If you want to snap up cheap flights to Canberra over these months, book your trip at least three months in advance.

What are the top tips for travelling with children to Canberra?

Busy planning a family getaway with flights to Canberra? Here are some of the best things to do with kids.

Questacon

Questacon is the National Science and Technology Centre. It's the perfect place to visit if you’re buying return flights to Canberra for a family holiday and have a budding scientist in your troop. The Centre has a range of interactive exhibits that children of all ages (and most adults) will love, with interactive displays around everything from air hockey, reflex-testing games, to ball runs and even an earthquake lab!

National Dinosaur Museum

The National Dinosaur Museum is a wonderful place to spend a few hours (especially on a rainy day!). It is home to 23 complete skeletons and hundreds of fossils. As the largest permanent display of dinosaurs in Australia, there's more than enough to keep the whole family entertained for hours.

National Zoo and Aquarium

When you're looking to buy plane tickets to Canberra that includes travelling with kids, landing armed with a list of things to do and see is key to keeping them entertained. The National Zoo and Aquarium is always a hit and offers the chance to come face-to-face with all sorts of native and exotic animals, such African lion, Malaysian sun bear, red panda, cheetah and giraffe. Tours are available, and children aged 12 years or more can even sign up for hands-on feeding experiences.

What is the cost of visiting Canberra?

Hotel prices in Canberra

The average cost of a hotel in Canberra is around $200 AUD per night. Travellers buying return flights to Canberra can expect to pay about $100 AUD for a three-star hotel and $300 AUD for a five-star hotel in the city.

Food costs in Canberra

If you want to keep your food costs down for your flights to Canberra, look to booking self-catering accommodation with a kitchen so you can prepare your own breakfasts, snacks and other meals. However, if you don't want to cook during your holiday, you can expect a meal at a cheap restaurant to cost around $20 AUD. For a mid-range restaurant, a meal for two people with three courses usually comes to $95 AUD.

Activity costs in Canberra

Entrance to Questacon is around $23 AUD for adults and $17 AUD for children. The National Zoo and Aquarium has a combo ticket for $45 AUD, and the Dinosaur Museum is $16 AUD for adults and $8 AUD for children. There are also plenty of free things to do in Canberra. If you'd rather save your money for a luxurious hotel room or you have a tight budget, visitors can plan their flights to Canberra around free attractions, such as the Australian National Museum, the National Library, the Canberra Museum, the Australian National Botanic Gardens, the summit of Mount Ainslie, and the ANU School of Art & Design Gallery.

When is The Best Time to Visit Canberra?

The best time to visit Canberra is in spring (September to November). You'll find warmer temperatures and the landscape will be in bloom. It's the perfect time for outdoor adventures like hiking, and there is little chance of rain to ruin your plans.

December to February is the city's summer months. The weather is hot making it an ideal time to indulge in water sports. There's also plenty of festivals to attend such as the National Multicultural Festival and the Summernats Car Festival.

Due to school holidays and the weather, this is one of the more popular times to visit the city. Book your airfare and accommodation in advance to lock in lower prices before they skyrocket.

If you're looking for cooler weather, visit Canberra between March and May. The temperatures start to drop, and the landscape is transformed into hues of red, gold and orange. There is also a packed events calendar with the Canberra Hot Air Balloon Festival and Celebrate Canberra in March.

Winter is the cheapest time of year to visit Canberra. As the temperatures plummet, the city empties out, and you'll be able to find great deals on airfare and accommodation. But don't let the cold keep you locked inside your hotel room all day. There's plenty of winter activities to keep you busy.

Airports in Canberra

Canberra Airport

Canberra Airport serves the capital city of Australia and is the eighth busiest airport in the country. It operates direct flights to the state capitals as well as Newcastle, Dubbo and the Gold Coast. The airport also has direct international flights to New Zealand and Singapore.

Getting To and From Canberra Airport

The cheapest way to get from the airport into the city is with the public bus. Take either route 11 or 11A for only AUD 4.80 each way.

Metered taxis are located outside the arrivals terminal. A one-way trip into town costs between AUD 45-54.

You can also use Uber at the airport. Meet your driver at the Express Pick-up car park and use the free WiFi to request your ride.

Car hire desks are located inside the arrivals terminal. You can choose from six car rental companies to help you with your travelling needs.