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 ...
Indulge yourself and escape from the city in this beautiful national collection of Australian plants at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. 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. ...
"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). The Australian War Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of Australian men and women who served in war. Visit one of the world's great museums; an ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. Canberra Glassworks is housed in the historic Kingston Powerhouse. Take a free tour on weekends (11am) through the building and ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. Must-sees ...
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 ...
Discover how the dinosaurs survived on earth for almost 165 million years. Investigate what scientists now believe led to their extinction. Experience a self-guided tour of the dinosaur and fossil collection at one of the largest permanent prehistoric collections in Australia. Touch a real 150 ...
Discover the world of Australian film, television and recorded sound at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA). Explore the free 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 ...
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 is devoted to telling great stories about Australia and Australians. Explore their permanent galleries and informative exhibitions with interactive displays and fascinating objects. See Greg Chappell's cricket cap, Captain Cook's magnifier and the preserved ...
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 ...
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 to the roof for panoramic Canberra views. Enjoy the renowned collection of Australian contemporary art. See Australia's 1297 Magna Carta; a document that ...
Questacon makes science fun! Watch a lightning bolt, free fall down a six metre vertical slide, photograph your own shadow or be shaken by an earthquake. With over 200 hands-on exhibits in eight themed galleries and live science demonstrations, visitors of all ages are invited to touch, play and ...
The Royal Australian Mint was officially opened in February 1965 to produce Australia's decimal coinage. Watch from elevated observation 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 ...