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
    • 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

    Tickets

    Tickets are free but bookings are encouraged.

    Book General Museum Pass

    Book PlayUP

    Explore our exhibitions, tours and events. What's On


    Safety plan and information

    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.

    Save time at entry and pre-book your General Museum Pass
    Keeping a 1.5 metre physical distance protects everyone
    Hand sanitiser is available throughout the museum
    If you feel unwell, please postpone your visit

    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 allowed in the exhibitions. We make exceptions for medical purposes and bottles for infants.  

    There are no water fountains at the museum but bottled water can be purchased on arrival. 

    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 Lower Floor and the Main Floor.

    Wi-Fi  

    Free public wi-fi is available at the museum. 

    Cloaking

    Cloaking is required for large items to protect our heritage-listed building.

    Contact information

    • Email: reception@moadoph.gov.au
    • Telephone: (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

    About

    • Disability Action Inclusion Plan
    • Our prime minister patrons
    • OPH Board
    • Annual Reports
    • Budget
    • Corporate documents
    • Employment
    • Freedom of information
    • Public Interest Disclosure
    • Media
    • Newsletter
    • Support us
    • Partnerships
    • Democracy 2025
    • 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 Prime Minister and Cabinet