Canberra will be buzzing this Easter weekend as thousands of people flock to the capital for festivals, tours, community events and getaways.
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University of Canberra tourism lecturer Naomi Dale said fewer Canberrans were leaving for Easter than previously because there was so much to see and do.
Dr Dale, who is also president of the National Capital Attractions Association, said the city had become increasingly sophisticated and now offered a wider range of experiences.
"We see more and more that people choose to stay over Easter and travel at a different time to avoid peak periods on the roads," she said.
"Predominantly our domestic visitation is from regional NSW, but we're seeing more people coming on short breaks from Sydney and Melbourne.
"We've become more sophisticated culturally, and with food and wine, so people are choosing to come here for that sort of experience."
Dr Dale said discount flights from Melbourne would boost family visits.
She said the city's tourism product was becoming more diversified, with walking tours and the cycling market now more prominent.
"Word of mouth is our best marketing; people are pleasantly surprised when they come here," she said.
"We've really struggled with our image in the past.
"It's nice that we're exceeding expectations, but it would be good if people saw us as a premier destination for some of those sorts of things."
Visit Canberra executive director Ian Hill said there were strong accommodation bookings over the entire Easter weekend and limited availability on Saturday night.
"The Easter long weekend is a great time to visit Canberra," he said.
"Our fantastic food and wine scene combines with beautiful autumn weather and a number of special events to create the perfect Easter getaway."
Mr Hill said the National Folk Festival was expected to attract 50,000 people, making it one of Canberra's biggest events.
He said AFL and NRL matches would draw visitors from interstate and New Zealand.
This weekend was also the last chance to see the Versailles exhibition at the National Gallery.
Community activities include:
- Canberra's biggest Easter egg hunt at Patrick White Lawns on Friday;
- The great Easter egg trail at the Museum of Australian Democracy on Sunday;
- Make your own glass Easter egg workshops on Saturday and Sunday.
"Most of Canberra's national attractions are open each day across the Easter break, providing the perfect opportunity to check out their exhibitions and special school holiday activities," Mr Hill said.
For more ideas on what to see and do over Easter in Canberra, drop into the visitors centre at Regatta Point, or head to visitcanberra.com.au.
