Labour Day Long Weekend Road Trips From Canberra

Get the fam together, pack up the car, and get exploring! We've got your Labour Day long weekend road trips from Canberra sorted (and no, it doesn't include the coast!).

There are some gorgeous parts of the country located close to Canberra. If you're looking for a getaway with the family this Labour Day long weekend, but don't want to spend hours travelling, check out some of the beautiful spots located within a reasonable drive of Canberra.

Braidwood - Antique Fair, Open Gardens & Arts Trail

There's so much to see and do in Braidwood. From the gorgeous colonial buildings, to the kitschy cafes and shops, it makes for a full day of fun for the family. Plus, we can't forget the awesome Ryrie Park and Playground in the middle of the main street. If you're looking for an epic playground for your kiddos, this is definitely one to check out. Aside from all of the normal things to see and do, there's also a lot of special events happening in Braidwood this long weekend.

To start, the Queanbeyan-Palerang Arts Trail is happening again. Explore the galleries and home studios of local artists and experience the wealth of talent and creativity in the region first-hand. You can meet artists in their creative environments, ranging from ceramics to paintings, prints, textiles and more, as well as a variety of performances. Find more information on the Trail here.

If you're a lover of antiques, make sure you pop in to the Braidwood Lions Club Antique Fair over the long weekend, held in the historic Braidwood National Theatre. You can explore antiques, collectables, bric-a-brac, linen, porcelain, jewellery, vintage clothes, and furniture. Find more info here.

There are some truly gorgeous gardens in Braidwood, and the Open Gardens annual weekend celebrating Braidwood’s spectacular gardens and rich gardening culture gives you the opportunity to see them up close. Private and commercial gardens not usually open to the public throw open their gates to visitors. Wander, explore, and be inspired by some of the most beautiful gardens in the Southern Tablelands region. With guest speakers, guided garden tours, food stalls and family friendly activities, there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. Find more details here.

The Braidwood Antique Fair, Open Gardens & Arts Trail

5th-7th October

Prices vary

1 hr 15 minutes drive from Canberra

Tulip Top Gardens

Looking for a bit of a country escape? Only a 20 minute drive away from Canberra you'll find the famous Tulip Top Gardens, where you can take the whole family (pooches included!) for a day of rambling through nature. There's plenty to keep you entertained, with an onsite cafe, Dutch pancake and coffee parlour, free live music on selected dates, and plenty of room for picnics and running around. Better yet, if you want to take the hassle out of planning, pre-order a Contentious Character curated picnic hamper. Pick it up when you arrive, sit back, and relax. And don't forget to pack your camera from some flowery IG snaps. Want more info? You can find it here.

Tulip Top Gardens

28th September - 13th October

Children free, adults $22

20 minute drive from Canberra

Goulburn Lilac City Festival

Australia's first in-land city, Goulburn, is only an hour's drive from Canberra, and this long weekend they're holding The Goulburn Lilac City Festival. The event has been around since the 1950s, and has turned into an exciting family-friendly event held annually on the Labour Day long weekend. With a focus on bringing joy to the community, the festival offers a wide range of attractions and experiences including unique markets, food, flower displays, music performances, entertainment, exciting competitions, and much more. Get the family together, go for a drive, and check out this free event.

Goulburn Lilac City Festival

3rd October - 7th October

Free

1 hour drive from Canberra

Bungendore - Southern Harvest Farmers Market

If you're not looking to travel too far, but still want a little piece of Australian history, head to the historic village of Bungendore. This charming rural town is the perfect escape from the busy-ness of everyday life. There's plenty to see and do in this quaint town, including plenty of antiques (Deniston Cottage Antiques & Arts, Village Antiques), op shops (Phil's Emporium Op Shop), art galleries (X Gallery, Bungendore Fine Arts Gallery, Bungendore Wood Works Gallery), and boutiques (Jemayca Red Boutique). Plus, if you head in on Saturday the 5th, you can catch the Southern Harvest Farmers Market, which sells sustainable, authentic, regional food grown and made by the community, for the community.

Bungendore - Southern Harvest Farmers Market

5th October

Free

35 minutes drive from Canberra

Murrumbateman

In case you didn't already know, there's a lot of wineries in Murrumbateman. Not only fun for the adults, there's room for the kids to frolic in the gardens, plus delicious food on offer too. Choose from Eden Road Wines, Murrumbateman Winery, Clonakilla, Dionysus Winery (also home of Woo Chocolates), Four Winds Vineyard, The Vintner's Daughter, Shaw Estate, or McKellar Ridge Wines. On your trip into Murrumbateman, make sure you stop to see the amazing water tank artwork at the Lions Club (painted by Jimmi Buscombe), keep the kids happy with a visit to Blackwattle Alpacca Farm, and don't leave without visiting the Murrumbateman Chocolate Co, where the kids can get the chance to meet their friendly sheep Wally and Bertie. You could also book in for a chocolate tasting, or join a chocolate bar workshop.

Murrumbateman

5th-7th October

Various prices

35 minutes drive from Canberra

Wild Horse Weekend at Hall

If you're looking to stay closer to home, join the Snowy Brumby Horsemanship mob at the Hall Showground during the October long weekend. They'll be promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the legend and culture of brumbies. They'll be bringing a team of brumbies to town, and will be showing how they train, work and ride these incredible once-wild horses. There will be lots of games, challenges and workshops on mountain riding. Visit for a day, or make a weekend out of it by camping at the Pony Club grounds at Hall. Find more information here.

Wild Horse Weekend - Snowy Brumby Horsemanship

4th - 6th October

$50+ for a family

20 minute drive from Canberra City