Set in a delightful art-deco building (look for the stained-glass platypus in the foyer dome), this archive preserves Australian moving-picture and sound recordings. The gallery space stages free temporary exhibitions on Australian film history. There's also a cute little theatre where documentaries are played and the larger Arc Cinema, used for special screenings and film festivals; check the website for show times.

The courtyard is also home to a very pleasant cafe.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Canberra attractions

1. Drill Hall Gallery

0.48 MILES

The Australian National University's main gallery displays specials exhibitions and items from the ANU's art collection. On permanent display is the…

2. Canberra Museum & Art Gallery

0.57 MILES

This local museum is worth it for the Sidney Nolan paintings alone – 141 works, including canvases from his Ned Kelly series and Burke and Wills…

3. National Museum of Australia

0.65 MILES

As well as telling Australia's national story, this museum hosts blockbuster touring exhibitions (admission prices vary), which often outpoint the…

4. Australian National Botanic Gardens

0.75 MILES

On the lower slopes of Black Mountain, these sprawling gardens showcase Australian floral diversity over 35 hectares of cultivated garden and 50 hectares…

5. National Capital Exhibition

0.76 MILES

This small but fascinating museum tells the story of how Canberra came to be Australia's capital. Displays include reproductions of the drawings entered…

6. Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet

0.76 MILES

Built in 1970 to mark the bicentenary of British explorer James Cook's landfall, this memorial near Regatta Point consists of a 6-tonne column of water…

7. Glebe Park

0.83 MILES

This spacious green park is filled with leafy elm trees that turn a lovely golden yellow in autumn. There's a playground for kids and lots of paved paths…

8. Nerang Pool

0.84 MILES

This lovely pool is a serene spot in Commonwealth Park, with an abundance of bird life and some beautiful landscaped gardens.