Ready to make the most of the long weekend? Canberra is bursting with ways to celebrate in the spirit of autumn. Prepare for the ultimate high-altitude egg hunt, or a sun-drenched long lunch on the lawns, or a sophisticated seafood banquet with bottomless bubbles. From tropical Sunday buffets to twilight miniature train rides, here is your essential guide to spending Easter 2026 in the capital.
Easter at Mercure: Family Fun and Seafood Feasts
This Easter long weekend, Mercure Canberra and Olims Bar & Bistro are transforming into a festive hub for families and foodies alike. The celebrations kick off on Good Friday with a massive Seafood Platter for two at Olims, featuring everything from Sydney Rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs to beer-battered flathead and crusty bread.
On Saturday, parents can enjoy happy hour and themed cocktails while the little ones dive into a free Easter Arts & Crafts session from 4pm, featuring egg painting and bunny ear design. The weekend peak arrives Sunday morning with an exclusive Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt for in-house guests, though the “Kids Corner” in the Limestone Room remains open daily with colouring competitions and hot chocolate to keep the holiday spirit high.
Whether you’re booking a staycation or just dropping in for a meal, it’s a welcoming, one-stop shop for holiday vibes in the heart of Braddon.
Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April
Free entry | Seafood Platter $99 (Two people) | Bookings highly recommended
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Corin Forest: Snow Play and Alpine Slides
For a high-altitude Easter adventure, Corin Forest is bringing the magic of winter to the long weekend with their Easter Egg-citement package. Located just a short drive from the city, this experience offers a unique chance to play in the snow before the official season even begins.
The action-packed sessions include an hour of pre-season snow play, followed by a thrilling ride down the alpine slide through the mountain forest. The highlight for the little ones is the dedicated 30-minute Easter egg hunt, where they can search high and low for hidden treats amongst the trees. With limited tickets available to ensure plenty of space for sliding and searching, it is an ideal escape for families looking for an active outdoor holiday.
Set against the backdrop of the Tidbinbilla range, this mountain retreat combines adrenaline and chocolate for a memorable long weekend escape.
Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April
$55 for ages 8+, $35 for ages 2-7, free for children under 2 | Bookings essential
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Lakeside Fun at the Little Burley Market
For those who love their Saturday mornings with a side of lakeside charm, The Little Burley Market is bringing back its signature Easter Egg Roll-a-Thon for a second year. Nestled between the flags on Queen Elizabeth Terrace, the morning offers a vibrant mix of artisan stalls and family-friendly entertainment set against the backdrop of Lake Burley Griffin.
The highlight of the day is the Roll-a-Thon itself at midday, where participants compete to see whose egg can travel the farthest down the hill for “egg-cellent” prizes. While the competition heats up, the rest of the market remains a creative hub with free arts and crafts, face painting, and Easter egg painting sessions. With live music from Kids These Days and even a morning belly dancing performance, it is a quintessential Canberra morning that perfectly captures the autumn festival spirit.
Saturday 4 April
Free Entry | Markets 9am – 2pm | Roll-a-thon 12pm
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Easter on the Lawns at Rosa’s
Nestled in the heart of the National Triangle with the stunning National Rose Gardens as a backdrop, Rosa’s is the ultimate destination for a long, lazy Easter weekend. The holiday begins with a full breakfast service on Saturday and Sunday, where you can pair expert coffees with fresh pastries or a hearty cooked meal to start the day.
As the morning settles, the woodfired pizza oven takes center stage, making it the perfect setting for those quintessential long lunches that roll effortlessly into sunset cocktails. Whether you’re grabbing a panini for a stroll through the gardens or settling in on the lawns for an afternoon of pizza and wine, the indoor-outdoor flow makes it a sophisticated yet relaxed way to soak up the autumn sun.
Saturday 4 April – Monday 6 April
Breakfast, Lunch & Pizza | National Triangle | Bookings recommended
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Fyshwick Market Freshness and Edible Art
For families looking to combine their long-weekend grocery run with a bit of holiday magic, the markets are serving up a full festive experience. It’s the ultimate destination to secure your Easter essentials, whether you’re chasing a specific dozen of hot cross buns, fresh autumn fruit, or a premium seafood spread for a quiet Good Friday dinner.
On Easter Saturday, the aisles come alive with creative workshops designed to keep the kids entertained while you shop. Little ones can decorate their own flower pots and plant carrot seedlings to take home, or try their hand at festive cookie decorating with plenty of icing and sprinkles. While the markets take a break on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, dedicated seafood retailers remain open on Friday morning for those last-minute feast requirements.
It is a hands-on way to celebrate the season, ensuring the pantry is stocked and the kids are sufficiently covered in icing before the big day arrives.
Saturday 4 April
Free Entry | 7am – 5:30pm | Kids activites included
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Seafood Banquets and Bottomless Bubbles at Natural Nine
For those looking to elevate their long weekend with a sophisticated, adults-only dining experience, natural nine is hosting a seafood-forward Easter banquet that defines holiday indulgence. Located inside Casino Canberra, this “no-rush” celebration pairs a curated multi-course menu with two hours of bottomless Hungerford Hill “Dalliance” sparkling wine, sourced from the nearby Tumbarumba region.
The experience is designed for those who want to settle in and savour the long weekend without compromise. Available for both lunch and dinner sittings from Good Friday through to Easter Monday, it offers a refined alternative to the usual chocolate-heavy festivities. With the elegant backdrop of the casino, it’s the perfect excuse to gather a group of friends for a flowing, flavor-packed afternoon or evening in the city.
Friday 3 April – Monday 6 April
$119 per person | 18+ Only | Bookings essential
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The Atrium: A Tropical Sunday Buffet
Spend your Easter Sunday surrounded by lush greenery without leaving the city at The Atrium Restaurant & Bar. Set within a warm, light-filled tropical atrium in Dickson, this festive buffet lunch is designed for the ultimate family gathering. The spread features a heavy focus on fresh seafood, alongside a variety of hot seasonal dishes, vibrant salads, and an indulgent dessert station that is sure to be a hit with every generation.
Beyond the feast, the afternoon is packed with traditional holiday joy. Kids can join in the highly anticipated Easter Egg Hunt or show off their creative flair in the Easter Hat Parade, making it a lively celebration for families. With its unique garden-like setting and relaxed atmosphere, it offers the perfect space to settle in for a memorable long-weekend meal.
Located on Northbourne Avenue, it’s a convenient and joyful way to tick off your Easter Sunday plans in one of Canberra’s most inviting dining spaces.
Sunday 5 April
Adults $99 | Teens $47 | Kids $30 | Infants Free | Bookings recommended
242 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson
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Elegant Easter High Tea at Hotel Kurrajong
For those looking to trade the chocolate eggs for a touch of old-world charm, Hotel Kurrajong Canberra is hosting an elegant Easter Sunday High Tea. Steeped in history and surrounded by Art Deco glamour, this afternoon of indulgence features a carefully curated selection of savory bites and handcrafted pastries inspired by the rich flavors of autumn.
The experience begins with a refreshing mimosa or a glass of bubbles on arrival, paired with a selection of premium teas and coffees as you relax in the hotel’s charming heritage surrounds. While the adults savor the sophisticated spread, the little ones are invited into the sun-drenched courtyard for a special Easter egg hunt. It’s a stylish and memorable way to gather family and friends for a refined celebration in one of Barton’s most iconic landmarks.
Sunday 5 April
Adults $89 | Kids $59 | 12pm – 2pm
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Country Hospitality and Seasonal Flavors at Grazing
If you are looking for an excuse to escape the city limits, Grazing in Gundaroo offers the ultimate country retreat this Easter long weekend. Set in the historic Royal Hotel, the experience is a masterclass in relaxed hospitality, focusing on thoughtful dishes that showcase the very best of the region’s autumn produce and local cool-climate wines.
Whether you are settling in for a cozy Saturday evening dinner by the fire or a sun-drenched leisurely lunch on Easter Monday, the atmosphere is designed for slowing down and reconnecting with friends and family. With its rustic charm and a menu that reflects the changing season, it is a sophisticated yet soulful way to experience the Canberra region’s renowned food scene. Just a short, scenic drive from the ACT, it provides the perfect backdrop for a long weekend meal that feels worlds away from the daily grind.
Saturday 4 April – Monday 6 April
Lunch & Dinner | Bookings recommended
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Night Trains and Easter Egg Grabs at Canberra Miniature Railway
For an Easter experience that’s a little bit magical and a lot of fun, the Canberra Miniature Railway is hosting its popular after-dark extravaganza. The gates open at 4pm, perfectly timed for the main events: two massive Easter egg hunts where thousands of eggs are up for grabs (5pm for under-6s and 5:30pm for the 6–12 crowd).
As the sun sets, the real magic begins with night train rides running under a canopy of festive lights. Your ticket covers unlimited rides on both the elevated and ground-level tracks, though make sure everyone in your group is wearing enclosed footwear to ride. With a hot food canteen on-site and a completely cashless setup, it’s a high-energy, seamless evening that transitions from daylight play to glowing night-time adventure. It’s one of the most popular dates on the Canberra calendar, so booking online is a must to ensure you don’t miss the train.
Saturday 4 April – Sunday 5 April
$15 Online tickets | Gates open at 4pm | Symonston
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