Australian Capital Territory Attractions Directory : Galleries, Museums and Collections
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The house is decorated with attractive oriental carpets, rugs, wall hangings and textiles. Specialising in the conservation, restoration, valuation and loss assessment of Persian and oriental rugs.
Anzac Parade is the national capital’s major ceremonial avenue and is easily recognisable from Mt Ainslie lookout.
Spanning the length of the Parade are 11 memorial sites dedicated to the many Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in war. The Parade is set along the magnificent Land Axis which forms a key feature of Walter Burley Griffin’s original 1912 plan for Canberra. The Australian War Memorial is located at the northern end of the Parade. The Parade features red gravel ...
Specialising in fine antique and periodic Persian carpets and Oriental rugs, tribal pieces, kilims, collectables, textiles from Iran, Turkey, Afganistan, Turkmanistan and Caucasus. Also offering conservation, restoration and appraisal services. All pieces are exhibited in an original two storey heritage listed house with ample visitors parking.
The Australian Bicycle History Centre brings together Australia’s cycling history. They are involved in the conservation and preservation of Australia’s cycling heritage. Discover cyclists’ biographies, records and racing results, bicycle manufacturers information and cycling memorabilia. The library and research facility also have numerous books, magazines, posters and photographs preserved for future reference. The database is available to the public. On-line resources are also available. The...
The Australian War Memorial commemorates the sacrifice of Australian men and women who have served in war.
Through its exhibitions the Memorial presents stories of Australians at war, in armed conflict and during peacekeeping activities. With its ceremonial areas, extensive exhibitions and research facilities, the Memorial has, since the present facility was opened in 1941, become a significant and important part of the National Capital. Each gallery contains magnificently presented relics, ar...
Established in 1975, Beaver Galleries is Canberra's largest privately owned gallery. It includes four exhibition galleries, a sculpture garden, Gallery Shop and licensed cafe. The exhibition galleries feature work by contemporary Australian artists in a range of disciplines including painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and glass. In the Gallery Shop are beautifully crafted products by some of Australia's leading craft artists.
Visit the Bison Australia ceramic workshop to see beautiful handcrafted ceramics seen in magazines and sold around the world. Buy firsts, seconds and samples.
A vibrant centre for the experience of contemporary art, presenting a curated program of exhibitions and events by Australian and international artists.
See a piece of Moon rock and learn all about NASA at the Visitors Centre at the Canberra Deep Space Communications Complex.
For the past 40 years this Complex has played a key role in the exploration of space as part of NASA’s Deep Space Network. The Complex at Tidbinbilla features four giant antennae including the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Take a look around the Canberra Space Centre where you can see a sizeable piece of 3.8 billion-year-old Moon rock, watch a space movie, check out ...
The Canberra Glassworks is a newly established attraction located in the former Powerhouse in the heart of the vibrant Kingston Foreshore Cultural Precinct. The Canberra Glassworks provides world-class infrastructure for the production of high quality and innovative glass art. The design of the building has been developed within a framework of Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD), and sensitively responds to the heritage fabric of the 1915 building and its surrounds. A full range of activitie...
The Canberra Museum and Gallery integrates visual arts and social history in a range of exciting exhibitions, projects and education programs, which explore Canberra's cultural and social issues and possibilities for Canberra's future.
Housing a permanent collection, Reflecting Canberra, and a variety of local, national and international exhibitions, Canberra Museum and Gallery provides an insight into the integration of social history and the visual arts.
This is a working museum and home to Australia's oldest operating steam locomotive, the 1210, built in 1878. Locomotives on display include Australia's largest and most powerful steam engine, the 265 tonne Bayer-Garret 6029. Plus vintage carriages, rail motors and workshop inspections.
A small gallery within walking distance from Civic in the leafy suburb of Ainslie. Enjoy the collection of antiques and recent examples of hand embroidered fabrics, ceramics and jewellery, framed golden textile treasures and stitching, wall-hangings, saris, and carvings from Central, South, and South East Asia in the gallery's relaxed atmosphere.
The Craft ACT Craft and Design Centre presents a changing program of exhibitions and events showcasing contemporary craft and design by Act and interstate artists working in media such as wood, metal, glass, ceramics, jewellery, paper and textiles.
Australia’s scientific innovation is showcased in Discovery, a unique centre established by the CSIRO, the nation’s largest science organisation.
Set within a working research environment and spectacular atrium, Discovery contains working science laboratories showing research in action. Experience a 3D touch sensitive computer, visit the virtual reality theatre, discover medical advances at the touch of a human body, and the see new age sheep. Through Discovery’s exhibitions, theatres, science ...
The Gorman House Arts Centre houses Canberra's oldest art and craft markets. Be enchanted by the atmosphere and ambiance within heritage listed buildings. Just minutes walk from the Canberra Centre, the markets feature artistic creations and supplies, organic handicrafts, produce and products. See new, retro and second hand designer clothes, antique and modern treasures and community group displays. Enjoy free children’s entertainment, live performances, multicultural cuisine, fabulous coffee...
The Lanyon historic precinct is set in a landscape of great natural beauty. Stroll in the rambling gardens, visit the restored 1850's homestead and the courtyard buildings. Changing exhibitions focus on aspects of Australian country life. A wide range of interactive educational and community programs are also available. Cafe and gift shop on site.
The Megalo gallery features changing exhibitions of contemporary art works made by local and visiting artists who use the print facilities in the workshops. Etching, lithography, relief and screen printing on fabric and paper. Megalo provides access to specialised printing equipment for Artists in the community.
Exhibitions focus on screen printed artworks, fabric lengths and limited edition works on paper.
Mount Majura Vineyard's handcrafted wines benefit from a unique combination of red volcanic limestone containing soils, an easterly aspect and a cool climate. These features are expressed in intense, elegant and complex wines. Grapes are sourced only from Mount Majura Vineyard in the Canberra District.
Our cellar door allows visitors to participate in seated tastings, with wine tasting poured in two wine flights. Visitors are invited to take a gumboot tour throughout the vineyard to learn more ...
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 sees is Australia’s birth certificate – The Constitution and Royal Commission of Assent - along with ever changing exhibitions and displays. Delve into original government records that trace the even...
Exhibits include 10 full-size replica skeletons of dinosaurs plus huge bones, skulls and reconstructions of Australian dinosaurs, including Muttaburrasaurus. Displays of fossil plants, fish, invertebrates and mammals (including human prehistory). Museum shop specialising in prehistoric gifts including original fossils, minerals and crystals. Dinosaurs At Night Torch Light Tours.
Experience 100 years of Australian film, television, radio and recorded sound at the National Film and Sound Archive.
Film clips, sound bites, touch screens, photographs, costumes and other memorabilia showcase Australia’s audio visual history. Visit exhibitions, stay for a movie, browse our shop, enjoy the art deco architecture and courtyard cafe. See continuous screenings of film classics. Teachers can book an interactive excursion where students from lower primary through to tertiary level c...
The National Gallery of Australia is the country’s premier art institution – home to more than 100,000 works of art and world-class art exhibitions.
Through a comprehensive exhibition, permanent display, and travelling exhibitions program, the Gallery attracts a diverse audience from all ages. One of its best known paintings is Blue Poles. The National Gallery of Australia's collections include works of art across four main areas: Australian art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, Asian...
See the beautiful, the rare and the unexpected from the National Library of Australia’s vast collections on show in the Visitor Centre and Exhibition Gallery.
Australia’s largest reference library has 220 kilometres of shelving. Visitors can take a behind-the-scenes look to discover where the books, manuscripts, newspapers, maps and paintings are located. Browse in the all Australian bookshop, or relax over coffee with beautiful views of Lake Burley Griffin.
Australian and international visitors have an opportunity to explore what it means to be Australian at the National Museum of Australia.
Consistently awarded Best Major Tourist Attraction since 2003, the National Museum is the first in the country devoted to the stories of Australia and Australians, exploring the key issues, events and people that have shaped and influenced our nation. The Museum uses three key themes of Land, Nation and People to tell the story of Australia and Australians. S...
The National Portrait Gallery holds an extensive collection of Australian portraits that reflect the history, diversity and culture of Australia. The permanent display showcases some 400 portraits of people who have shaped Australia and continue to shape the nation. Favourites include Ned Kelly’s death mask and Howard Arkley’s portrait of Nick Cave. Natural light is a key component of the National Portrait Gallery's design. Wood and stone from every state and territory in Australia further ingr...
The national award-winning Old Bus Depot Markets is one of Australia's favourites, held each Sunday from 10am - 4pm, and Saturdays in December.
Set in an old industrial building, the market features high quality handcrafted and home produced goods which showcase the region's creativity. Stalls include contemporary homewares, timber furniture, bonsai, jewellery, millinery, ceramics, toys, soap, perfumes and more. Savour a multicultural meal, or taste a myriad of outstanding gourmet foods, region...
Delve into Australia’s political past at Old Parliament House, home to Australia's Federal Parliament from 1927 to 1988.
Today, this much-loved heritage building offers tourists a unique glimpse into Australia's fascinating past – a time when this magnificent building was the centre of political controversies and drama. Old Parliament House echoes with the power and the passion of stories from Australia's political past. Today, this much-loved heritage building offers an exciting program of gu...
Be fascinated by the hands-on, interactive exhibits at Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre. Questacon should definitely be high on your must see list, especially if you're travelling with kids. But no matter what age you are, you'll be fascinated by the only place in Australia where you can free fall from six metres high and take the whole family on a virtual roller coaster ride. Go on a journey of discovery through seven different exhibition galleries. Experience an earthquak...
Canberra's first school and school master's residence opened in 1845. The display contains photographs and memorabilia of the school, church and Canberra's early history. Adjacent to St John's Church.
Located a short walk from the city centre, The Hive is an exciting gallery which has developed a niche market following for its selection of craft, art and design. The front section of The Hive is a shop of gorgeous gitware for all age groups, stylish homewares and lighting, designer jewellery and fashion accessories. An intimate gallery is at the rear, where new and emerging artists hold regular exhibitions.
The Tuggeranong Arts Centre is a vibrant centre catering to all artistic needs. It features a 110 seat theatre, art gallery, dance studio, workshop space and artist studios. It is located on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong. Home to AFT Cafe Brasserie.