The Museum of Australian Democracy acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging.

The museum respectfully acknowledges the role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to play in shaping Australia’s democracy.

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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
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Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
  • Visiting
    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
  • What’s On
    • Exhibitions
    • Events
  • Collection
    • The Building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Oral Histories
  • Learning
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents
  • Democracy
    • Democracy 2025
    • Defining democracy
    • Australian democracy: an overview
    • The democratic audit of Australia
    • One thing I like about democracy
    • Links
    • Quotes
    • Notes
    • About
    • Blog
    • Prime Ministers
    • Websites
    • Venue hire

    Planning your visit

    Visiting

    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
    • School bookings

    House of Representatives closed

    We are undertaking vital conservation work to protect the Chamber.

    Learn more

    Opening hours

    • 9am to 5pm daily (last entry at 4:30pm)
    • Closed Christmas Day

    Where to find us

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT, 2600 


    Getting to the museum

    Parking

    Parking can be accessed from King George Terrace. Fees apply Monday to Friday.

    Accessible parking is available at the front of the building next to the ground level entrance.  

    Additional parking can be found at the National Archives of Australia, The John Gorton Building and the Treasury Building.

    Public transport

    Buses run regularly from Canberra City Centre to the museum.  

    • Parliament House Federation Mall stop (400m walk) - Bus routes 57, 58  
    • John Gorton Building Parkes Place stop (650m walk) - Bus routes 2,6  
    • Commonwealth Avenue, opposite Albert Hall stop (750m walk) - Bus routes 4,5,7,10

    Entering the museum

    Entry is via the terrace to the left of the front steps, ​with accessible entry via the Lower Level.

    Lifts

    Lift access is available at the ground level. Press the buzzer to enter through the doors on either side of the main steps.


    Food and drink  

    The Courtyard Cafe serves coffee and light refreshments. 

    Food and drink are not permitted in the museum spaces. 


    Access

    We welcome all visitors and are committed to making our building, exhibitions and events accessible to everyone. 

    Our Museum Experience team can help you plan your visit:

    • Phone: (02) 6270 8222
    • Email: info@moadoph.gov.au

    Plan your visit with mobility, sensory, lighting and tactile information about our exhibitions and heritage spaces within Old Parliament House:

    Exhibition and heritage spaces access information 

    Access information and support


    Facilities

    Toilets and babychange

    Accessible toilets are located on the Lower Floor and the Main Floor. Baby changing facilities are located on the Main Floor.

    Wi-Fi  

    Free public wi-fi is available at the museum. 

    Cloaking

    Cloaking is available for the duration of your visit. To protect our heritage-listed building, large or bulky items, bags, backpacks, suitcases, and items that may be considered unnecessary for visiting MoAD such as bike helmets, skateboards, scooters, umbrellas and camera tripods must be cloaked at the reception desk on entry. Please follow the directions of our staff regarding cloaking items. 

     A copy of the Cloaking and bag checking policy is available upon request. 


    Conditions of entry

    Visitors must obey all signs and notices, and any reasonable direction given by MoAD staff or MoAD security officers. 

    Visitors should be adequately and neatly dressed, and footwear should be worn at all times. 

    Visitors are advised that bags may be checked at any time. For your convenience we recommend using our complimentary cloaking during your visit.  

    MoAD reserves the right to restrict or prohibit specific items from entering Old Parliament House, including where they may be considered to pose a risk to the safety of people, the building and its contents, or cause offence to members of the public. These include (but are not limited to): 

    • items that may cause injury, harm, or public nuisance, including noisemaking and amplification devices 
    • marking instruments such as paint, pens etc, that could be used to deface property 
    • alcohol 
    • flammable or hazardous devices, including aerosol containers, fireworks, flares, lighters, and laser pointers 
    • political or other signage, banners, logos, or clothing that is likely to be offensive to others.

    Visitors are advised that video surveillance is used 24 hours a day in and around the building. 


    Safety plan

    MoAD has a COVID-19 Safety Plan and is implementing measures in line with recommendations from the Australian Government Department of Health and the ACT Government. 

    Please help keep our community safe by observing hygiene and physical distancing measures, and postponing your visit to the museum if you are unwell.

    Contact information

    • reception@moadoph.gov.au
    • (02) 6270 8222

    Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

    PO Box 3934
    Manuka ACT 2603

    9am to 5pm daily 
    Closed Christmas Day

    ABN: 30 620 774 963

    Telephone: 02 6270 8222

    Enquiries:
    info@moadoph.gov.au

    Please note: video surveillance is used 24 hours a day around and throughout the building and may be used for research purposes

    Visiting

    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access
    • Group bookings
    • Cafe
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library

    What's On

    • Events
    • Exhibitions

    Collection

    • The building
    • Objects and rooms
    • Highlights
    • Oral histories

    Learning

    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Parents

    Democracy

    • Exploring democracy
    • Documenting a democracy
    • Australian democracy
    • Defining democracy
    • Democracy 2025

    About

    • OPH Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Budget
    • Corporate documents
    • Disability Inclusion Action Plan
    • Employment
    • Freedom of information
    • Public Interest Disclosure
    • Media
    • Newsletter
    • Support us
    • Partnerships
    • Our prime minister patrons
    • Donate to our collection
    • eCommerce terms and conditions
    • Online house rules

    Blog

    Prime Ministers

    Websites

    Further information

    View our recruitment opportunities.

    View our copyright policy.

    View our privacy statement.

    View our ticketing terms and conditions.

    Questions about the website:
    website@moadoph.gov.au

    The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a Corporate Commonwealth Entity within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts