Discover the home of the Australian story in Canberra. The vast wealth of Australia’s culture, history and way of life is housed in the national museums, galleries and attractions in Canberra. These national icons offer an intriguing insight into Australian character and democracy, and our journey from an Indigenous continent to a modern nation.
Celebrate Australia’s proud sporting achievements at the Australian Institute of Sport, delve into our political history at Parliament House and its predecessor the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House; and reflect on our young nation’s experience on the international stage at the Australian War Memorial.
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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 climbing, v...
Indulge yourself and escape from the city in this beautiful national collection of Australian plants. Explore the diversity of Australia’s weird and wonderful plants. See the rare and the beautiful. Hear native birdsong as you walk along winding paths. Wander through towering gum trees. Explore the ...
"Here is their spirit, in the heart of the land they loved; and here we guard the record which they themselves made" (Charles Bean, founder of the Australian War Memorial). The Australian War Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of Australian men and women who have served in war. It is also one of th...
See spectacular 360 degree night and day views of Canberra’s region from Black Mountain Tower. Feel the wind in your hair on open viewing platforms. Stay warm and dry during winter months in their enclosed viewing gallery. Browse the souvenir shop or sit and sip coffee at the Panorama kiosk. Dine in...
See the largest giant antennae in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn all about NASA. See a piece of 3.8 billion-year-old Moon rock. Take a look around the Canberra Space Centre where you can watch a space movie, check out what the well-dressed astronaut wears, and get the latest space news. For the past...
See professional glass artists at work. Make your own glass beads and tiles. Take introductory glass courses from the experts and see their striking exhibitions. The Canberra Glassworks is housed in the historic Kingston Powerhouse. Take a free tour on weekends (11am and 2pm) through the building an...
The Captain Cook Memorial Jet commemorates the bicentenary of Captain Cook's discovery of the east coast of Australia. It is one of Canberra's most well-known attractions. When operating at full capacity, the jet can reach a maximum height of 147 metres. The Captain Cook Memorial Jet was inaugurated...
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 Castle, t...
See Australia’s highest court of appeal in a striking building by Lake Burley Griffin that features a seven storey high public hall and stunning waterfall. The High Court features three courtrooms and an impressive public hall adorned by murals depicting the development of the Australian nation an...
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 involv...
Discover a treasure trove of fascinating records about Australia or your family’s history at the National Archives of Australia. The National Archives, housed in Canberra’s original general post office, looks after Australia's valuable Commonwealth records dating back to Federation. Among the must ...
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 and ...
Discover the world of Australian film, television and recorded sound at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA). Explore the interactive exhibition containing hundreds of film and sound clips, photographs, costumes and more. See the best of world and Australian film in Arc cinema. Enjoy free hist...
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 the...
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 publicat...
Explore what it means to be Australian at the National Museum of Australia. Marvel at thousands of objects that represent Australia’s history and cultural heritage. See famous Australian icons like Phar Lap’s heart and Captain Cook’s teacup. Discover the key themes of Land, Nation and People. State-...
See more than 400 portraits of people who have shaped the nation at the National Portrait Gallery. Be amazed at the paintings, drawings, sculptural works and photography that reflect Australia’s history, diversity and culture. See portraits of people from all walks of life including artists, musicia...
Visit Australia's only combined zoo and aquarium with the largest inland aquarium. See Australia's largest collection of big cats, giraffes and bears. See the eight magnificent white lions. Hand-feed tigers and have bears lick honey from your fingers on a Zooventure tour! Pat a cheetah inside their ...
Marvel at the 81 metre flagpole with an Australian flag bigger than a double-decker bus at Parliament House – home of Federal Parliament. Head up to the roof for panoramic Canberra views. Enjoy the renowned collection of Australian contemporary art. Watch parliamentarians in action at Question Time ...
Questacon is a must for kids of all ages. Free fall from six metres high! Go on a virtual roller coaster ride. Take a journey of discovery through seven different exhibition galleries. Experience an earthquake. Watch a lightning bolt, learn about tornadoes, the physics of sound and more. Exhibits ch...
The Royal Australian Mint was officially opened in February 1965 to produce Australia’s decimal coinage. Watch from elevated observations windows to see Mint staff and one of the world’s strongest robots making the coins you use. See an exclusive behind the scenes DVD in the theatrette and discover ...