National attractions

The National Film and Sound Archive is Australia's living archive, capturing a part of Australia's memory that can actually be experienced in 'living' vision and sound. Arc Cinema is a state-of-the-art cinema screening film and digital formats. The program includes the best of cinema from  ...

Discover the champion within at Australia’s sporting powerhouse! Take a tour of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) with an elite athlete as your guide. See where Australia’s sporting champions live and train. Challenge yourself in Sportex, the interactive sports experience. Try rock  ...

Indulge yourself and escape from the city in this beautiful national collection of Australian plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Offering a breathtaking array of native plants in a spectacular bushland setting, it is the only place in the world you will see this diversity of  ...

The Australian War Memorial is one of the world's great museums. It is also the premier archive and centre for research into the history of Australian involvement in war. The Memorial commemorates the service and sacrifice of all Australian men and women in wartime. Here you can discover the  ...

As part of NASA's Deep Space Network, they provide the vital two-way radio link with dozens of robotic spacecraft exploring the Solar System and beyond. Just a 45 minute drive from the heart of Canberra, located in the beautiful Tidbinbilla valley. The Complex is dominated by the giant antenna  ...

See professional glass artists at work. Make your own glass paperweight, bird or bauble in the Hotshop. Take introductory glass courses from the experts and see their striking exhibitions. Canberra Glassworks is housed in the historic Kingston Powerhouse. Take a free tour on weekends (11am) and  ...

Explore the world in miniature at Cockington Green Gardens. See highly detailed miniature buildings and magical landscaped gardens. Take a miniature steam-train ride. Marvel at detailed replicas of actual buildings. Figurines, sound and movement bring scenes to life. See Scotland’s Braemer  ...

The CSIRO Discovery Centre offers an interactive journey through CSIRO and Australian science history. It is housed in an award-winning designed building with a sweeping glasshouse atrium and tropical indoor garden Science is presented in an entertaining way to demystify it, and educate people of  ...

See Australia's Constitutional court and highest court of appeal in a stunning building by Lake Burley Griffin in the Parliamentary Zone. Visit the court's three courtrooms and see the impressive artworks depicting the development of the Australian nation and its constitution. High Court  ...

The International Flag Display colourfully acknowledges the United Nations and those that maintain a diplomatic presence in the National Capital. The 90 plus flags fly from two offset rows of flagpoles along the promenade between the High Court and the National Library on the southern shore of Lake  ...

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is the first and only museum dedicated to telling the story of Australian democracy. Be inspired by amazing real life stories of ordinary people who actively fought to shape today's society. Discover where Australia has come from. Get  ...

Explore Australia's history on display in the beautiful historical building that was the original Canberra post office. See documents, photographs, objects and multimedia in 'Memory of a Nation', a permanent exhibition tracking Australia's journey as a country, and other features such as the 'Faces  ...

The National Capital Exhibition is a great place to start your tour of Canberra. Explore the people, events, history and design that contributed to the development of our unique capital city. The Exhibition illustrates Canberra's vital role as a symbol of Federation through interactive displays  ...

The National Carillon is a striking 50 metre tall architectural landmark. It is also an impressive musical instrument with 55 bronze bells, each weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes. The Carillon was a gift of the British Government to the people of Australia in celebration of the 50th  ...

Rediscover the Earth's Prehistoric past at Australia's largest permanent Dinosaur and prehistoric collection. The National Dinosaur Museum, now home to 12 new animatronic dinosaurs and an amazing new lifelike Dinosaur Garden provides enthusiasts of all ages with a hands on opportunity to "live"  ...

Round off your time in the capital with a visit to the award-winning National Electoral Education Centre, centrally located in the heart of the parliamentary triangle. Check out the displays of historic election items and international ballot papers. Enjoy a spectacular multimedia presentation  ...

The National Film and Sound Archive is Australia's living archive, capturing a part of Australia's memory that can actually be experienced in 'living' vision and sound. Their aim is to enrich Australia's cultural identity by developing, preserving, promoting and interpreting a national collection  ...

Visit more than 100,000 works of art and world-class art exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia. See the famous Blue poles. Discover Australian art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian art and international art. Wander through the Art of the Indian Subcontinent Gallery for  ...

See the beautiful, the rare and the unexpected at the National Library of Australia on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Enjoy unparalleled access to Australia's documentary heritage. Australian print materials include books, serials, maps, newspapers, music and ephemera. Search for online  ...

The National Museum of Australia holds some of the nation's most popular and important items including Phar Lap's heart and the Holden Prototype No.1, as well as many significant artefacts from Australia's Indigenous history. Enjoy hands-on experiences for the young and the young-at-heart  ...

See the portraits of over 400 people who've shaped the nation at the National Portrait Gallery. Be amazed at the works of art reflecting Australia's history, diversity and culture. Portraits include artists, musicians, entertainers, politicians, sports people and royalty. Favourites include Ned  ...

Australia's only combined Zoo and Aquarium is privately owned and situated just five minutes from the centre of Canberra. The National Zoo and Aquarium gives you an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world's most amazing creatures. With a wide variety of native and exotic  ...

Canberra's national award winning indoor Sunday market focuses on the talent and creativity of regional arts and craftspeople. Discover 200 stalls within a fabulous old industrial building. Stalls offer unique handcrafted items, gourmet take home food, regional wines, and freshly ground  ...

Parliament House is a symbol of Australian democracy. Home to the Parliament of Australia and meeting place of the nation, Parliament House is the focal point of Canberra, our capital city. One of Australia's most iconic buildings, Parliament House integrates Australia's unique identity into its  ...

Experience Questacon - The National Science and Technology Centre. With over 200 hands-on exhibits visitors of all ages will journey through the wonderful world of science. From discovering the answers in Q Lab through to encouraging young scientists to explore in Mini Q you'll discover the  ...