Canberra:
Tourist Attractions

New Parliament House

One of the most popular attractions. Opened in 1988, it is called the New Parliament House to distinguish it from the old Parliament House. Renowned for its impressive architecture and magnificent artwork.
It is built into a hill, the roof covered with grass to make it blend in with the surroundings. Visitors can wander around the public areas, watch the proceedings of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Admission free.
There are free guided tours when Parliament is not sitting, every half hour from 9am.
Visit the Parliament Shop, Queen's Terrace Cafe.
Open daily 9am-5pm on non-sitting days, 9am to House rise when Parliament is in session (closed Christmas Day).
Capital Hill, Canberra.
Tel 06 277 5399    ...more info

Old Parliament House
Down the hill towards the Lake,
Old Parliament House was the seat of government from 1927 to 1988. There are tours of the building or exhibitions. Visitors can wander through its grounds. It is now used to house the National Portrait Gallery.
Admission: Adults $2, Concession $1, Family $5.
Open daily 9am-5pm (closed Christmas Day).
King George Terrace, Parkes
Tel 06 270 8222    ...more info

National Portrait Gallery
Presenting exhibitions on historical and contemporary issues through portraits.
Exhibitions change every four or five months.
Admission free. (Admission fee to Old Parliament House).
Open daily 9am-4pm (closed Christmas Day).
Old Parliament House,
King George Terrace, Parkes.
Tel 06 273 4723

Australian War Memorial

"Lest we forget".
A museum of Australia's war history. Opened in 1941 it houses collections of photos, pictures, films, war relics and exhibitions of old aircraft. There are also many miniature battle scenes.
The Hall of Memory is the focus of the memorial. The Unknown Australian Soldier was returned from a World War I battlefield in 1993 and laid to rest in the Hall. Leading to the Hall is the reflection pool, with the names of the 102,000 war dead inscribed on the Roll of Honour in its surrounding walls.
Admission and parking free.
Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day), 9am-5pm during ACT and NSW school holidays.
Anzac Parade, Campbell.
Tel 06 243 4211    ...more info

Tidbinbilla Deep Space Tracking Station
70km south-east of the city, a joint American and Australian venture. The Visitors Centre has displays of spacecraft and tracking technology.
Visit the Moon Rock Cafe, picnic and BBQ facilities.
Admission free.
Open daily 9am-5pm (8pm during daylight saving).
Off Paddys River Road, Tidbinbilla (45 min drive from city).    ...more info

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
45km south-west of the city, with many walking tracks. Semi-tame kangaroos, emus and koalas can be seen and fed. The Visitors Centre has displays of native fauna and flora.

Blundell's Cottage
Cottage of farm worker pioneers,
built in 1860.
Admission: Adult $2, Concession $1, Family $5.
Wendouree Drive, Parkes,
off Constitution Avenue.
Tel 06 273 2667

National Gallery of Australia

On the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, it has the best art collection in the country. Australian collections range from traditional Aboriginal art to works by Arthur Boyd and Sidney Nolan.
Guided tours are available.
There is a shop, brasserie and outdoor restaurant.

Admission: $3, full time students and concessions are free, except major exhibitions.
Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day and Good Friday).
Parkes Place, Parkes.
Tel 06 240 6502    ...more info

National Library of Australia

The country's largest library and one of its leading research and reference libraries. Custodian of the nation's recorded history. There is an active program of changing exhibitions, film screenings, education events and tours.
There is also a Bookshop, licensed restaurant, bistro and Internet cafe.
Admission free.
Open Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm,
Fri-Sun 9am-5pm.
Parkes Place, Parkes.
Tel 06 262 1111    ...more info

Questacon
(National Science and Technology Centre), a 'hands on' science museum located near the National Gallery. There are 200 devices, including an earthquake experience. It is designed for children, although adults can participate. It is not only educational but also fun.
Admission fee applies.
Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day).
King Edward Terrace, Parkes.
Tel 06 270 2800

Telstra Tower
Best views of Canberra. 195 metres above the summit of Black Mountain. Has both open and enclosed viewing platforms.
Revolving restaurant, snack bar and coffee lounge available.
Admission fee applies.
Open daily 9am-10pm.
Black Mountain.
Tel 06 248 1911.

Royal Australian Mint
Make your own $1 coin. View the minting process.
Shop at the Coin Shop or relax at the Mint Cafe.
Admission free.
Open Mon to Fri 9am-4pm, weekends and public holidays 10am-3pm.
Denison Street, Deakin.
Tel 06 202 6800.    ...more info

High Court of Australia

One of Canberra's prestige public buildings. Australia's highest court in the judicial system, contains three courtrooms.
A cafeteria overlooks the Lake.
Admission free.
Parkes Place, Parkes.
Tel 06 270 6811    ...more info

National Aquarium & Wildlife Sanctuary
With both fresh and saltwater tanks. 17 acre Wildlife Sanctuary with koalas, wombats, dingoes and much more.
Picnic and BBQ facilities available.
Licensed bistro.
Lady Denman Drive, Scrivener Dam.
Tel 06 287 1211   ...more info

National Botanic Gardens
With more than 6000 species of native plants.
Guided walks daily.
Admission and parking are free.
The Visitor Information Centre, the Botanical Bookshop and the Cafe are open daily from 9.30am-4.30pm.
Clunies Ross Street, Black Mountain.
Tel. 06 250 9540    ...more info

Australian National University
Both a teaching and research institution. Tours can be arranged, free of charge.
Open daily.
Tel 06 249 0742 (recorded message).

National Film & Sound Archives

Australia's film and sound history. Sound recordings, ads, early radio soapies, Australia's first silent feature film, "The Story of the Kelly Gang" (1906).
Buy souvenirs in the Archive Shop, relax in the Talkies Cafe.
Open daily 9am-5pm
(closed Christmas Day).
McCoy Circuit, Acton.
Tel 06 209 3035

Australian Institute of Sport
Australia's premier sporting facility.
Facilities include the AIS Shop and Time Out Cafe.
Leverrier Crescent, Bruce.
Tel 252 1444

National Dinosaur Museum
A private collection of replica skeletons of ten dinosaurs, together with real bones and fossils. Opened in 1993.
Open daily 10am-5pm (9am in school holidays)
(closed Christmas Day)
Admission - Adults $9.50, Child $6.50,
Concession $7.50, Senior $6.50, Family $30.
Gold Creek Road & Barton Highway, Nicholls.
Tel 02 6230 2655.    ...more info

Mt Stromlo Observatory
Australia's 'hands on' astronomy centre.
Whilst most of the facilities were destroyed in the January 2003 bushfires, the ongoing reconstruction program is ensuring that the scientific work can continue.
The Visitor Centre is open 10am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Visit the gift shop and the Exploratory Cafe.
Cotter Road, Canberra.
Tel 06 249 0232   ...more info

Lanyon Homestead
On an historic sheep station on Canberra's southern outskirts, about 30km south, with beautifully restored early stone cottage built by convicts in 1859, occupied until 1974. This National Trust homestead documents station life from early convict days in the region before Canberra existed and houses the Nolan Gallery, some of Sydney Nolan's paintings including his famous Ned Kelly works.
Gift shop and cafe available.
Open Tues-Sun 10am-4pm (and most public holidays).
Tharwa Road, Tharwa.
Tel 06 237 5136.