Little National is a sophisticated 120-room affair of polished concrete and minimalism, while five-star Hotel Realm is essentially its own lifestyle precinct, encompassing several upmarket restaurants and bars. The heavily forested valley of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is only 40 minutes from Canberra, but it teems with wildlife, including emus, kangaroos and cockatoos. Even closer to the city (20 minutes away) is Uriarra Crossing. Walk, picnic or fish on this short, lovely section of the Murrumbidgee River's epic 1,600-kilometre (994-mile) journey from the Australian Alps.

If you really want to get up close and personal with wildlife however, consider a stay at Jamala Wildlife Lodge. This incredible new hotel - located within Canberra's National Zoo and Aquarium in the centre of the city - has bungalows with glass walls that look onto animal enclosures, and suites in treehouses, with balconies that overlook the zoo's giraffes.

Tasmania's east coast, with its natural beauty, spectacular landscapes and long beautiful beaches, offers a completely different Australian coastal experience. Here you'll discover the beaches of the beautiful Bay of Fires, one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions in the world, along with historic townships, fresh seafood and friendly locals - all on one of the best scenic coastal drives in the country. Five national parks spread along the coast including the stunning Freycinet National Park with its pink granite mountains, white beaches and crystal clear sea.

The two largest towns on the east coast are Bicheno and St Helens - both busy fishing ports, so expect some of the freshest seafood around. There's also some of the best game fishing in Australia .Flinders Island is located off mainland Tasmania's north-east coast and offers the ultimate escape with peace and quiet, natural beauty and plenty of local attractions. Flinders is the largest of the Furneaux Group of 52 islands and offers a range of great experiences - from walking beautiful, long deserted beaches and lazy scenic drives to fishing, golfing, diving and even fossicking for 'Killiecrankie diamonds'.

Australia's Parliament House is a gorgeous example of modern architecture, which was only unveiled in 1988. Visitors can take a free guided tour through the building every day at 9.30am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. When Parliament is in session you can watch Question Time (from 2pm onwards), at which government ministers are questioned by other members of parliament. The building also houses a number of exhibitions and public galleries. The annual Floriade festival takes place over the course of one month between September and October each year (exact dates vary), and attracts flower lovers and garden experts from around the world for its colourful displays.

Across 8,000 square metres (two acres) of inner city parkland, more than one million bulbs bloom into gorgeous, carefully synchronised displays of colour and texture in what is Australia's biggest celebration of spring. It's accompanied by a lively program of night-time entertainment, and beautifully illuminated flowerbeds, during Floriade NightFest. Entry to see the flowers is free for the entire month.

Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin is a pretty expanse of water used for leisure activities including yachting, kayaking, paddle boating, windsurfing and hot air ballooning. There are few cities on earth where ballooning is consistently available - but Canberra's many parks and grassed areas ensure that it is available regardless of wind direction. Take a ride with Balloon Aloft or Dawn Drifters and enjoy sights like Parliament House and the National Arboretum. Alternatively, hire a bicycle and tour the lake's 35-kilometre (22-mile) perimeter - an easy, relatively flat pathway which will take you past cafés and attractions such as the National Gallery of Australia.

There are many cycling pathways around Lake Burley Griffin that show you various angles of Canberra. Cycle Canberra has a range of bikes and they'll even deliver them to your hotel.As Australia's capital city, Canberra houses many of the nation's most important art, including a priceless collection of Aboriginal art. The National Gallery of Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public compiler of art, housing more than 7,500 Australian, Asian and Aboriginal artworks across 13 different galleries. Nearby is the very cool National Portrait Gallery, featuring a wildly varied body of portraiture (from Mick Jagger to Barry Humphries), which originally came into being as a temporary exhibition called Uncommon Australians.

CAs home to the Australian National Collection, you can explore significant culture, art and history throughout our museums, galleries and archives. You can discover embassies, landmarks, markets, shopping, food and wine. Then throw in some recreational activities spanning our lakes or bustling precincts, or explore fresh, natural surrounds including Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and Corin Forest. Visitors to the Canberra region can always learn, share and participate in indigenous experiences and see exceptional collections of Australian Indigenous art, history and culture.

According to the National Museum of Australia’s Senior Curator (Indigenous) Margo Neale, the Australian capital’s attractions highlight the rich and diverse history through its collections. The Museum has also recently launched a First Australians Indigenous Tour, where you can take a guided journey through the First Australians gallery and be welcomed by the local Ngunawal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples. Using digital interactives and sensory displays you will hear stories of the local landscape and appreciate the diversity of communities and the enduring attachments to the country.