Capital city in Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Is Canberra safe?
One of Australia's safest cities for visitors.
Is Canberra safe?
One of Australia's safest cities for visitors. Take normal care at night in Civic and with valuables in parked cars.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-05-29.
- Homicide rate in Australia: 0.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Australia: 4.9 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
Safety in Canberra at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Low crime; opportunistic theft and car break-ins are the main issues. Pubs in Civic can get rowdy late on Friday and Saturday. |
| At night | Streets empty out early outside Civic and Braddon. Light rail and buses run late on weekends, and rideshare is easy. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women, with normal precautions late at night around Civic and on quiet paths. |
| Other risks | Bushfire smoke and heat in summer; Frosts and icy roads in winter; Kangaroos on roads at dusk |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake rental listings asking for deposits before inspections
- Parcel and toll text messages with payment links
Take care
- Civic nightlife precinct late on weekends
- Empty parks and paths after dark
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Driving while holding a phone is caught by cameras and brings large fines
- Nicotine vapes are legally sold only by pharmacies
- Drinking alcohol is banned in many streets, parks and beaches (alcohol-free zones)
How Canberra compares in Australia
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hobart | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Noosa | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Blue Mountains | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sunshine Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Great Ocean Road | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Port Douglas | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Canberra | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Margaret River | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Launceston | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Magnetic Island | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sydney | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Melbourne | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Brisbane | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gold Coast | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Perth | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairns | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Byron Bay | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Adelaide | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bondi Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Whitsundays | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Uluru | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darwin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| K'gari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fremantle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Broome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Newcastle | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Manly | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alice Springs | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Canberra safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women, with normal precautions late at night around Civic and on quiet paths.
Is Canberra safe at night?
Streets empty out early outside Civic and Braddon. Light rail and buses run late on weekends, and rideshare is easy.
What is the crime rate in Canberra?
Low crime; opportunistic theft and car break-ins are the main issues. Pubs in Civic can get rowdy late on Friday and Saturday. Nationally, Australia records 0.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Canberra?
Police 000 · Ambulance 000 · Fire 000 · All emergencies 000.
More about Canberra
Going to Canberra solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Transport Canberra
- Canberra Airport
- VisitCanberra
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.