As the national capital, Canberra is packed with cultural and arts institutions. Whether you’re a budding historian or just interested in deepening your understanding and appreciation of the city and Australia, you’ll find something in Canberra’s galleries, museums and exhibitions to satisfy you.
Here are our top 10 places to broaden your arts and cultural knowledge in Canberra.
Overview
- Canberra is home to many significant institutions like the National Library of Australia and the Museum of Australian Democracy.
- There are also plenty of local and national galleries in Canberra with fascinating art and cultural heritage collections.
- Many Canberra galleries also run special events throughout the year.
1. National Library of Australia
Perfect for finding a quiet spot in the lead-up to exams, the Main Reading Room of the National Library of Australia will surround you with cultural and literary history. The building itself contains architectural works of art and then there are the exhibits of items from the library’s collection.
Enjoy the free wi-fi and hunker down to study. Or wander through art and photographic exhibitions in your spare time. The library also runs a number of events, including author talks, lecture series, poetry readings, and more – and has one of Canberra’s best bookshops.
2. National Museum of Australia
The National Museum is an intriguing place to discover more about the remarkable history of Australia. Located on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, its historical collection contains over 210,000 objects and offers innumerable opportunities to learn and connect with the history of Australia, including with the rich culture of our First Nations peoples, across different time periods.
Some exhibitions are permanent while others are temporary, so watch the website to discover what’s on.
The National Museum of Australia Entrance and Loop.
3. ANU Drill Hall Gallery
The Drill Hall Gallery is located on the ANU campus. Initially built during the Second World War as a training ground for Australian soldiers, it is now a display space for a range of contemporary art and museum exhibitions throughout the year.
It also acts as a venue for live music performances, lectures and debates.
Thanks to the academics, collectors and critics who frequent the Drill Hall Gallery, it has developed a reputation for producing significant scholarly publications in connection with the exhibitions and events. Admission is free and the gallery is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
Browse the exhibitions at the Drill Hall Gallery.
4. Old Parliament House
Once home to Australia’s parliament, the Museum of Australian Democracy is nestled among beautiful rose gardens on the south side of the lake. Between 1927 and 1988, when politicians governed from there, the building saw some of Australia’s most significant political events, debates and decisions.
The Old Parliament House building that houses the museum is a noteworthy heritage site in its own right. Many of its original rooms are preserved and open for visitors to walk through, including the Prime Minister’s suite (Bob Hawke AC GCL was the last prime minister to use it) and the House of Representatives chamber.
Now, several visiting and permanent exhibitions call Old Parliament House home and focus on Australia’s political and social heritage – including a gallery dedicated to the art of political cartoonists.
5. Questacon
With its emphasis on fun, interactive and relevant learning, visiting Questacon will never be boring. Aiming to engage all visitors in the exciting and ever-growing world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), Questacon uses a range of exhibitions, interactive events, displays, workshops and shows to pique your interest. And it’s not just for kids. Visit the NKYRPT pillars and test your code-breaking skills or try your hand against a robot in a game of air hockey at Excite@Q.
Spend some time relaxing under the moon at questacon.
6. Australian War Memorial
A national memorial to all members of Australia’s armed forces, both past and present, and a military museum with an extensive collection of objects and artworks, the Australian War Memorial is a place to remember, reflect and discover.
When it was first opened in 1941, the building was a memorial to those who had participated in the First World War, but its significance grew by the 1940s and the outbreak of the Second World War, when more names, conflicts and peacekeeping missions were added to its walls.
Explore the exhibitions, beautiful and sombre Memorial Courtyard, the Hall of Memory and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as well as the extensive sculpture garden and forecourt outside.
The view from the War Memorial down Anzac Parade also holds significant links to the Australian and New Zealand armed forces, with a series of monuments and memorials dotting the avenue in remembrance of soldiers, nurses, horses and conflicts.
7. ANU Classics Museum
You don’t have to be a student of archaeology or history to appreciate a visit to the ANU Classics Museum on campus. Initially built in the 1960s as a space for teaching students about Greek and Roman archaeology, the museum’s collection now spans the Mediterranean, including objects and artworks from ancient Egypt, the Near East and classical civilisations. Open every weekday, it’s worthwhile to wander through the ancient past on a self-tour between classes. If you’d like to gain more in-depth knowledge, join a monthly guided tour.
8. National Gallery of Australia
Home to the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks and objects in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia also contains some exceptional examples of French Impressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism and of other more recent art movements.
Open every day with free admission, you can surround yourself with artworks from the collection that engage, challenge and inspire.
Walk through the Aboriginal Memorial which consists of 200 dupun (hollow log coffins) from central Arnhem Land.
9. National Film and Sound Archive
With a collection of over three million audio-visual items, the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) aims to record and display what it calls ‘living memories’ as a record of Australia’s past.
Collections include a focus on specific iconic Australian radio and screen personalities, celebrated musicians, sportspeople and even the British royal family. You’ll also find collections around aspects of Australian culture like surfing or food – and, for something more obscure – a collection of feature films and home movie footage of vintage dogs or Cadbury chocolate advertisements.
Keep an eye on the website for what’s on and tickets. Events running throughout the year can include jazz performances to film screenings and much more.
10. Canberra Museum and Gallery
Located on London Circuit in the heart of Civic, the Canberra Museum and Gallery exhibits and celebrates the history and arts of the city and its surrounds.
A range of engaging art exhibitions is on offer along with a program of community and educational events, such as author talks, classic film screenings, school holiday art workshops, Zen meditation instruction sessions, and more.
After exploring Canberra galleries and museums, discover some of the city’s hidden gems.
