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
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    • The democratic audit of Australia
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    • About
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    What’s On

    Exhibitions, events, tours. 

     

    Current exhibitions

    All exhibitions ›
    OPENBlueprint

    Blueprint traces the steps Australians have taken to build a system that works for us. 

    More about this exhibition ›
    OpenBehind the Lines 2022: the year in political cartoons

    Reflect on a year where lockdowns ended, borders opened, and we burst from our living rooms, eager to discover what more was out there.  

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENChangemakers

    Changemakers celebrates the activists, icons and allies behind 120 years of women’s rights in Australia.   

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENDemocracy DNA: the People, the Prime Ministers and the World

    Explore the events that shaped the nation, and the stories of the people who created our democracy.

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENStatement: Jack Green’s Paintings

    In this powerful series of paintings Jack Green explores the impact of the mining industry on his Country, culture and community.  

    More about this exhibition ›
    Open daily, 9am - 4:30pm, freePlayUP

    From listening pods and a roleplay Kindness Café to a fuzzy felt wall and craft activities PlayUP has something for all ages and abilities. 

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENHiveMind: Honeybees, Democracy & Me

    This exhibition uncovers the stories of beekeeping at Australia’s Parliament Houses, both old and new, and shares what we could learn from bees on collective decision making for democracy.

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENTruth, Power and a Free Press

    Truth, Power and a Free Press begins a conversation about media and the issues affecting our democracy...

    More about this exhibition ›
    OPENDemocracy. Are You In?

    Democracy is a living system and it works best when there is a healthy balance between trust and distrust - but that balance is tipping. Distrust is on the rise, and confidence in our political and social institutions is at its lowest point in decades.

    More about this exhibition ›
    Now open Yours Faithfully

    Rediscover the lost art of letter writing.

    More about this exhibition ›
    Now open Australia’s Public Service For the Government of the Day

    This exhibition explores how the APS has informed, supported and implemented the decisions of the governments of the day.

    More about this exhibition ›
    Now open Zine Lounge

    Create your own zine in our Zine Lounge.

    More about this exhibition ›
    Now open DressUP: Change the World

    Try on costumes of their iconic outfits and connect with the lives of Malala, Dr Karl, Queen Bey and more. 

    More about this exhibition ›
    Queen Elizabeth ascending the front stepsNow open Happy and Glorious

    Happy and Glorious commemorates the first visit to Australia by Queen Elizabeth II

    More about this exhibition ›

    Events

    All events ›
    10 February

    Friday night drinks Event

    Once a mainstay of the capital’s calendar, Friday Night Drinks at Old Parliament House is back to regale a new generation of Canberrans. 

    More information ›
    Private group tour

    Pins, Pearls and Portfolios - Women in Australian ParliamentsTour

    Dame Annabelle Rankin at Parliament House in 1946. Image courtesy of National Archives of Australia.

    From election pins to ministerial portfolios, this tour traces the century long quest by women to serve in parliaments around Australia.

    More information ›
    Private group tour

    First Nations Experiences of Democracy TourTour

    On this tour, you will hear stories of how Indigenous Australians and their supporters have taken different pathways to bring about change, many of which led them here – the seat of Federal Parliament between 1927 and 1988.

    More information ›
    Open now

    Building History TourTour

    Want a bird’s eye view of wonderful Old Parliament House and its fascinating occupants over time ? Find out more, here.

    More information ›
    Open now

    Highlights TourTour

    Our volunteer guides are knowledgeable and passionate about the history and heritage of Old Parliament House.  Hear stories of people and events that shaped Australian democracy in the very place it happened.  

    More information ›
    GROUP TOUR

    Insights TourTour

    Let us take your group on a tour that explores the ideas, individuals and events of Australian democracy, in the very places where they occurred.

    More information ›
    Interactive whodunit

    Peril in the ParliamentEvent

    As the chamber doors close behind you, and the sands begin to trickle through the hourglass, you must work together to solve a series of puzzles and earn the clues to identify a killer.

    More information ›
    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

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    Further information

    View our recruitment opportunities.

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    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