As well as telling Australia's national story, this museum hosts blockbuster touring exhibitions (admission prices vary), which often outpoint the permanent collection by some margin. Highlights include the Gallery of First Australians, which explains the history and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the Garden of Australian Dreams, an interactive outdoor exhibition. One way to get the best out of the museum is to take a one-hour guided tour (adult/child $15/10, 10am, 1pm and 3pm daily). The views from the cafe and the surrounding grassy banks are very pleasant.
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National Museum of Australia
Top choice in Canberra
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.05 MILES
This Australian national art collection is showcased in an impressive purpose-built gallery within the parliamentary precinct. You can justifiably bypass…
0.91 MILES
Occupying a flash, purpose-built building, this wonderful gallery is a striking representation of Australia's shifting self-image and a must-see for art…
16.75 MILES
Namadgi is the Ngunnawal word for the mountains southwest of Canberra, and this national park includes eight of those peaks higher than 1700m. It offers…
1.78 MILES
Canberra's glorious art-deco war memorial is a highlight in a city filled with interesting architecture. Built to commemorate 'the war to end all wars',…
1.1 MILES
Built in 1988, Australia's national parliament building is a graceful and deeply symbolic piece of architecture. Sitting atop Capital Hill, the building…
0.72 MILES
Most families visiting Canberra head straight for Questacon, Australia's premier science museum, where they can play around with fun interactive exhibits…
Museum of Australian Democracy
0.84 MILES
The seat of government from 1927 to 1988, this elegantly proportioned building offers visitors a taste of the political past. Displays cover Australian…
Australian National Botanic Gardens
1.15 MILES
On the lower slopes of Black Mountain, these sprawling gardens showcase Australian floral diversity over 35 hectares of cultivated garden and 50 hectares…
Nearby Canberra attractions
0.42 MILES
These perfectly picnickable gardens on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin are home to a couple of lovely small sights, including the Canberra Nara Peace…
2. Australian of the Year Walk
0.49 MILES
The signs along this stretch of pathway pay tribute to those selected annually as Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian…
3. Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet
0.5 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…
4. National Library of Australia
0.56 MILES
This institution has accumulated more than 10 million items since being established in 1901 and has digitised more than nine billion files. You can pop by…
5. National Capital Exhibition
0.61 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. National Film & Sound Archive
0.65 MILES
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…
0.72 MILES
Most families visiting Canberra head straight for Questacon, Australia's premier science museum, where they can play around with fun interactive exhibits…
8. High Commission of Papua New Guinea
0.76 MILES
One of the most interesting embassies in Canberra, the High Commission of Papua New Guinea building is based on the design of a Haus Tambaran, a…