Museums and galleries in Canberra

Museums and galleries in Canberra

1. SeeNorth Canberra

   ANCA Gallery

   Australian National Capital Artists Gallery

   This gallery's several exhibitions feature the work of local Canberran artists. Contrary to what most art galleries do, there is no emphasis on quality though in practice, what you see here is just as good as any other art gallery.

   Wed–Sun noon–5PM (closed Mon Tue)

2. SeeActon

   ANU School of Art & Design Gallery

   Exhibits a variety of post-grad artworks, in particular contemporary art.

   Tue–Fri·Free

3. SeeGungahlin

   Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery

   An art centre exhibiting exclusively the finest of all Indigenous Australian art. Since its establishment in 1989, this art gallery has only showcased ethically sourced art – so not Indigenous art that was created by non-Indigenous people marketed as "Indigenous" (which is a common scam in Australia).

   Sat Sun, Mon–Fri by appointment only

4. SeeCivic

   Artworld ADG

   An Aboriginal art gallery that is sister to the Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery in Nicholls. It's a smaller version of the art gallery in Nicholls, but there are still plenty of Aboriginal artworks and artifacts on display. However, do note this place is not wheelchair accessible.

   Fri

5. SeeNorth Canberra

   Australian War Memorial

   AWM

   Not just a memorial, this is one of Australia's premier museums, covering Australian military history from the Federation to the present day and including fascinating exhibits of equipment, memorabilia, and battle dioramas. You could easily spend a full day here (it has a cafe, or bring a picnic lunch if the weather is nice and sit on the lawns at the front). Anzac Parade, leading up to the War Memorial has several memorials to different wars and those involved in wars. Free entry, allow 4–7 hours. The AWM opens its large storage warehouse in the industrial suburb of Mitchell to the public once every few years (usually in September or October), and this is a must-see event for people interested in military history. A Last Post Ceremony paying tribute to one of the soldiers on the Roll of Honour is held at 4:45PM every day, just before the memorial closes to the public for the day. Attendance at the ceremony is free but must be booked in advance due to the limited number of spaces. Every first and third Wednesday of the month from February to November, Australia's Federation Guard mounts a catafalque party at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and performs a precision military drill as the catafalque party is dismounted as part of the Last Post Ceremony. The AWM is mid-way through a major expansion, and many of its galleries are closed.

   Daily: museum 10AM-5PM, shop 10AM-4:30PM, café 9AM-4PM·Free

6. SeeBelconnen

   Belconnen Arts Centre

   A stunning, multi-disciplinary cultural hub housed in an award-winning glass-fronted building overlooking the lake. The centre features a constantly evolving, seasonal rotation of multiple gallery spaces showcasing contemporary visual arts, with a prominent focus on local regional and First Nations artists. The site features a 400-seat community theatre hosting live music, dance, and independent stage plays, alongside a design shop selling artisan crafts. The brilliant on-site café, kiln, features magnificent lakeside views.

   Tue–Sun 10AM–4PM (closed Mon & public holidays)

7. SeeActon

   CSIRO Discovery Centre

   The museum of the Australian Government's scientific research organisation includes exhibits on the history of Australian science and the CSIRO's current research.

   Mon-Fri·Free

8. SeeSouth Canberra

   Canberra Fire Museum

   A small museum with lots of restored fire appliances used during the 20th century, including several large fire trucks. The museum is free to access, but a gold-coin donation is encouraged for maintenance purposes.

   Sat 10AM–2PM

9. SeeSouth Canberra

   Canberra Glassworks Museum

   Learn and see how glass is made in this contemporary professional glass making factory. There are several workshops available, including several "make-your-owns".

   Wed–Sun 10AM–4PM (closed Mon Tue)

10. SeeCivic

    Canberra Museum and Gallery

    CMAG

    A museum and art gallery featuring works and exhibits of the local region. It includes an interesting permanent gallery on the history of Canberra and several galleries that host temporary exhibitions, generally by local artists and photographers. It also features the Sydney Nolan Collection - the works of Sir Sydney Nolan, a famous Australian artist.

    Mon–Fri; Sat Sun·Free

11. SeeActon

    Classics Museum

    Australian National University Classics Museum

    One of the few classics museums in Australia, this museum within the Australian National University houses a small, but interesting, collection of ancient Greek and Roman artefacts. The A.D. Hope building also has a range of anthropological displays on Indigenous Australian and Pacific island cultures.

    Mon-Fri (except public holidays)·Free

12. SeeActon

    Drill Hall Gallery

    This gallery operated by the Australian National University hosts interesting and well-selected temporary exhibitions of Australian and international contemporary art. One of Sir Sydney Nolan's best works, Riverbend, is on permanent display at the front of the building.

    Wed-Sun·Free

13. BuyNorth Canberra

    Gallery of Small Things

    An art shop that sells all sorts of small but yet unusual small things as the name of the shop says. Several of their products incorporate elements of indigenous art, but the products are known to be very pricy.

    Thu–Sun

14. SeeHall

    Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre

    The small district's local museum housed in the former Hall Primary School tells the history of the first teachers at bush schools in Australia, before 1940. The museum also contains some historic photos from Belconnen, Gungahlin, and Hall during the settlement era.

    Thu, Sun, 1st Sun of every month:

15. EatBelconnen

    Kiln at Belco Arts

    A stunning waterfront café nestled inside the glass-fronted gallery building. It features expansive morning views across Lake Ginninderra, offering a relaxed environment for specialty coffee and fresh, modern breakfast staples. From Thursday to Saturday, it remains open into the evening for sunset drinks, grazing boards, and casual dinner plates paired with local wines and craft beers.

    Sun–Wed 7AM–4PM, Thu–Sat 7AM–9PM·Mains $18–32

16. SeeSouth Canberra

    National Archives of Australia

    The renovated National Archives building has excellent public galleries. It has two permanent exhibitions and holds others from time to time. The staff are most helpful if you have a personal archival query

17. SeeNorth Canberra

    National Capital Exhibition

    See an exhibition about the original Burley Griffin Plan for Canberra and how the city was planned and built. Good views over Lake Burley Griffin out to the museums on the Lake's south shore.

    Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-4PM·Free

18. SeeGungahlin

    National Dinosaur Museum

    The largest collection of dinosaur and prehistoric fossil material in Australia.

    Sat-Thu 10AM-5PM, closed Fri·Adults $16, children $9.90, concession $11, family $45.00 (2 adults 2 children or 1 adult 3 children, extra children $4.00)

19. SeeSouth Canberra

    National Gallery of Australia

    This modern structure is one of the country's largest, and best, art galleries. It has a vast collection of paintings and sculptures collected from Australia and the rest of the world and has excellent Aboriginal artwork. A nice gift store and a large bookstore on the upper level. Free except for special exhibits. The Gallery offers free public one-hour tours: Australian and International art at 11AM and 2PM daily, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at 11AM on Thursdays and Sundays. Allow at least half a day and possibly more. There are two sections of the sculpture garden, one section in front of the building and the other section at the rear. Both sections are open 24 hours a day and fun to wander around in the evening. The Ouroboros sculpture added to the collection in 2024 is an ethereal, other worldly presence in the Canberra evening.

20. SeeActon

    National Museum of Australia

    This museum presents a thematic rather than a chronological account of Australian history, and spent its early years embroiled in a controversy over whether its displays were politically biased. The NMA has been revamped and expanded and includes some excellent galleries on Indigenous Australia and many interesting items, but the museum as a whole is somewhat underwhelming and not likely to be of much interest to non-Australians.

    Daily·Free, except special exhibits

21. SeeSouth Canberra

    National Portrait Gallery

    The Gallery opened to the public on the 4 December 2008, and displays some 400 portraits of people who have shaped and who continue to shape the nation. There are gallery spaces for the collection and temporary exhibitions, public areas including a café, shop, function room, theatrette, education and school group areas, and basement car parking. Portraits are in various media, depending on the era. Galleries are themed by era. The web site gives a good idea of the content.

    10AM-5PM, except Christmas Day·Free except for major exhibitions

22. SeeSouth Canberra

    Old Parliament House

    featuring the Museum of Australian Democracy

    The headquarters of the Australian government from the 1920s to 1988, this building is a must for political and/or historical junkies. The building gives a real feel of what it was like when it was in use and has in the past regularly featured rotating exhibitions on the controversies and scandals that rocked Australian politics. It is now a permanent museum. Most of the main rooms - the Prime Minister's office, the Cabinet Room, the various party rooms, the two houses - are open to visitors, as are many smaller rooms like the whips' offices and the broadcasting area. There are also historical photos of Canberra as it used to be, including the times prior to the creation of the artificial lake that shows Canberra under snow during winter (the lake warmed up the city and snow falls rarely on the city now). The gift store has decent souvenirs.

    Parking is free, admission is AUD 2 for adults, AUD 1 concession. Allow 2–3 hours

23. SeeSouth Canberra

    Questacon

    The National Science and Technology Centre

    Questacon is an interactive museum of science with exhibits illustrating scientific ideas from the principles of physics to the motion of an earthquake. Great for kids and excellent science books can be picked up here. Allow at least half a day.

    9AM-5PM·AUD 15.50 adults, AUD 10.50 concessions, AUD 9 children, and AUD 46 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children

24. DrinkCivic

    Smith's Alternative

    Inside the historic, colonnaded Melbourne Building along Alinga Street, this beloved local institution operates as a cozy cafe and art gallery by day before morphing into a highly social, bohemian performing arts bar by night. Serving as a warm, safe sanctuary for Canberra’s creative community, the venue hosts live events nearly every single night of the year—spanning local and international jazz jams, folk, poetry readings, stand-up comedy, cabaret, and life drawing classes. The bar serves up fine coffee and in-house baked treats during the day, transitioning to craft beers, boutique wines, and simple toasted sandwiches as the live gigs kick off.

    Mon–Thu 7AM–midnight, Fri 7AM–3AM, Sat 9AM–3AM, Sun noon–midnight·Drinks from $8; event tickets vary

25. SeeNorth Canberra

    St John the Baptist Church

    Consecrated in 1845, this Anglican church is the oldest in Canberra and pre-dates the city's establishment by almost 70 years. It has a small schoolhouse museum.

26. SeeBelconnen

    Strathnairn Arts

    A breathtakingly tranquil rural arts haven set within a historic 1920s homestead and working farm landscape. Widely considered one of Canberra’s best-kept creative secrets, the precinct houses multiple professional exhibition spaces including the Homestead Galleries and an atmospheric converted shearing shed (The Woolshed Gallery). It acts as a massive community hub for working ceramicists, sculptors, and painters. Visitors can browse a premium gallery shop, explore outdoor sculpture walks, or enjoy a meal at 'Café Stepping Stone'—a highly acclaimed on-site social enterprise café offering wood-fired pizzas and seasonal local eats.

    Wed–Sun 10AM–4PM (closed Mon Tue)·Free entry

27. BuyActon

    The Museum Shop

    Just outside the National Museum of Australia, this museum store is a great place for finding Aboriginal art and other quintessentially Australian things.

    Mon–Fri, Sat Sun

28. Drink

    Tilley's Devine Cafe Gallery

    Originally a "female only" establishment, it now opens its doors to everyone and is a fantastic venue for acoustic and jazz local and international acts. Food and coffee available, along with a large bar selection.

29. DrinkNorth Canberra

    Tilley's Devine Cafe Gallery

    This legendary local institution is a beloved cultural icon of North Canberra. It was founded in 1984 as a groundbreaking "female-only" establishment, but it has long since opened its doors to everyone and remains a premier, nostalgic venue for live acoustic and jazz acts, both local and international. The cafe features warm dark-wood booths, classic movie memorabilia, a large bar selection, and high-quality food and coffee.

    Mon Tue 7:30AM–4:30PM, Wed 7:30AM–8PM, Thu Fri 7:30AM–9PM, Sat 8AM–9PM, Sun 8AM–3PM

30. SeeTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Tuggeranong Arts Centre

    An art centere featuring a 110-seat theatre, 2 galleries, 2 dance studios, a workshop space, and a digital media studio. A list of upcoming events can be found here.

    Tue–Fri, Sat, closed Sun Mon

31. SeeTuggeranong and Country ACT

    Tuggeranong Schoolhouse Museum

    Although Canberra's historic homesteads are often only found within its rural areas, this 130-year-old schoolhouse has furniture, artifacts and antiques from the pastoral times of Canberra.

    on every second Sun of the month

32. SeeSouth Canberra Not mapped

    Canberra Railway Museum

    Has several exhibits of historic locomotives that have been used in New South Wales during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the most notable locomotives include Australia's oldest operating steam locomotive and one of the world's oldest mainline steam locomotives.

33. BuyCivic Not mapped

    Craft + Design Canberra

    This combined gallery and shop displays and sells Australian-made artworks, jewellery and glassware.

    Wed-Sat noon-5PM

34. SeeSouth Canberra Not mapped

    Parliament sittings

    On sitting days, you are allowed to view proceedings in the public gallery from 2PM onwards. Your belongings, including electronic items will be cloaked, and a secondary security check is required. No further arrangement is needed to sit in the Senate chamber public gallery. To view Question Time from the House of Representatives galleries, preferably book your free seat by calling the Serjeant-at-arms before. Expect queues to collect tickets, during the secondary checks, and then while waiting for sessions to begin. Consider bringing a small book to read during the wait. Members of the public can also observe hearings conducted by the parliament's various committees. Allow 2–3 hours. On-site parking can be limited when parliament is sitting.

35. BuySouth Canberra Not mapped

    Portrait Gallery Store

    The National Portrait Gallery's store stocks a large range of recently-released art and non-fiction books and is very popular with Canberrans.

36. EatNorth Canberra

    The Front Gallery and Cafe

    Enjoy a coffee and explore an art exhibition. Comfy couches.

    Tue-Sat 8AM–10PM, Sun Mon 8AM–6PM

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Canberra (CC BY-SA 4.0).