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 for people with disabilities
    • Group bookings
    • Café
    • 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 for people with disabilities
    • Group bookings
    • Café
    • MoAD Shop
    • UNSW Canberra Howard Library
    • School bookings

    Onsite updates

    Most historic spaces and exhibitions are now open.

    PlayUP is back with sessions available daily from 19 October. Bookings are essential.

    Book PlayUP tickets

    DressUP, the upper level Press Gallery, and exhibition spaces currently under redevelopment will remain closed at this time, but stay tuned for further updates via our website and social media channels.

    Check in CBR App

    The Museum of Australian Democracy is using the ACT Government’s Check in CBR App. The Check In CBR app is a contactless, secure and convenient way for visitors to sign into a Canberra venue. Downloading the Check In CBR App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store before your visit will make your entry at Reception faster and smoother.

    Safety measures

    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.

    Keeping a 1.5m physical distance protects everyone
    Remember to wash your hands
    We have increased our on-site cleaning to help protect the community
    If you feel unwell, please postpone your visit
    Hand sanitisers is available throughout the building
    We recommend to pre-book your session


    Getting to the museum

    Parking

    The hours of pay parking operation are 8.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

    ·         Limited short stay parking is available throughout the Parliamentary Triangle, including around Old Parliament House.

    ·         The NCA has produced a map showing the areas in Parkes where pay parking applies.

    Transport Canberra Bus Services

    The museum is accessible from Canberra’s City Centre via Transport Canberra.
    Bus number 7, 5 and 2 runs from the City depot.

    The closest bus stop is Parkes Place (Stop ID: 3260), just 450m away from the Museum.

    Entry

    General access to the building is currently via six steps on the right side of the front terrace of Old Parliament House to the lower level of the museum. For visitors unable to use stairs, stairless access is available via the lower entry which is located to the right of the front stairs.

    Cloaking

    To preserve our heritage building, we ask visitors to avoid bringing large backpacks, coats, umbrellas, camera tripods, food and drink or other items which may need cloaking.  Very limited cloaking services are available at this time.

    For safety reasons, visitors may be required to present their bags for inspection.

    Taxis

    Our staff can book taxis for you on request at the Reception Desk.

    Admission and opening hours

    • Current opening hours are 9am – 5pm (last entry is for the 4pm session)

    • Entry is free but bookings are essential

    Contact information

    • Email: reception@moadoph.gov.au
    • Telephone: (02) 6270 8222
    • If the museum is closed due to an emergency, call for new opening times: 1800 716 066

    Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

    18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT 2600, Australia

    PO Box 3934
    Manuka ACT 2603

    Open daily 9am - 5pm
    Final session commences at 4pm each day

    ABN: 30 620 774 963

    Telephone: 02 6270 8222

    Enquiries:
    info@moadoph.gov.au

    Research library

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

    If the museum is closed due to an emergency, call for new opening times: 1800 716 066

    Visiting

    • Planning your visit
    • Families at MoAD
    • Access for people with disabilities
    • Group bookings
    • Café
    • 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

    • 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