South Pacific
Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra
Gungahlin
Nicholls
Things to do in Nicholls
The National Dinosaur Museum
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The National Dinosaur Museum

See all things to do
See all things to do
The National Dinosaur Museum
4
#3 of 8 things to do in Nicholls
Speciality MuseumsChildren's Museums
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The National Dinosaur Museum is Australia's largest permanent display of prehistoric specimens, located in Gold Creek Village near Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The Museum's exhibition galleries follows the evolution of the planet, with a particular focus on dinosaurs. The galleries have authentic fossils, replica dinosaurs and skeletons, as well as animatronics. Our large dinosaur garden has plenty of photo opportunities and is a great place for kids to let off steam. We have 2 undercover deck areas with outdoor games and tables and chairs for guests to bring their own picnics. The gift shop stocks Canberra's largest selection of crystals, fossils, minerals and gemstones as well as a range of natural history books, dinosaur replicas, toys, clothing and meteorites.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
137 within 5 kms
George Harcourt Inn
296
0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Bar • British
Versatile Restaurant
56
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Gold Creek Time Square
26
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Asian • Thai
Armadillos Cafe
54
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Thai cafe
2
0.2 kmThai • Australian
Gold Creek Cafe
52
0.6 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Australian
T on the Square
36
0.5 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Australian
Cafe Injoy
145
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Australian
Northside Garden Cafe
4
0.6 kmPhilippine • Cafe • Asian • Fusion
Delikase Filipino Cuisine
12
0.6 km$$ - $$$ • Philippine • Asian
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51 within 10 kms
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See what travellers are saying
  • Shane S
    Melbourne, Australia486 contributions
    Over priced for what it is.
    Looks good from the outside. Once you are in not really much to do For the 20.00 per adult is way too expensive. Then you have to deal with all the prams everywhere. In some places you can’t even get past them because it’s not enough room. The kids enjoyed the playground more than the museum. Would have been there for maybe a hour There’s a lot of exhibits but some have toy dinosaurs as the example.
    NDMuseum
    Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We recommend that you avoid school holidays and public holidays. We hope to see you back at the museum again. Thank you.
    Written 5 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 July 2023
  • Ivy P
    1 contribution
    Birthday party was a blast
    My son had his 6th birthday at the museum and we were happy with the flow of the program conducted by the hosts. They were knowledgeable and managed to handle respectfully all the endless questions from our inquisitive little ones. The museum itself was well-presented and the just bursting with everything dinosaur even the gift shops. Really worth visiting!
    NDMuseum
    Hello, Thank you so much for your feedback. We are glad your son had a blast of a time! We look forward to welcoming you again.
    Written 10 September 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 9 September 2023
  • Ken C
    Southern Queensland, Australia381 contributions
    A well thought out museum
    I’m a dinosaur nut (I think my 35 year old son despairs) so I couldn’t pass up seeing the dinosaur museum. It’s extremely well laid out with audiovisual & static display that balances the needs of an adult plus the stimulation that a child needs. The information has been well curated and is mostly accurate. There are small inaccuracies but overall very educational.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 28 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
350 reviews
Excellent
167
Very good
107
Average
48
Poor
15
Terrible
13
Ken C
Southern Queensland, Australia381 contributions
A well thought out museum
Nov. 2023 • Solo
I’m a dinosaur nut (I think my 35 year old son despairs) so I couldn’t pass up seeing the dinosaur museum.

It’s extremely well laid out with audiovisual & static display that balances the needs of an adult plus the stimulation that a child needs.

The information has been well curated and is mostly accurate. There are small inaccuracies but overall very educational.
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
301Eric
Melbourne, Australia85 contributions
A great place for children and adults.
Sep. 2023 • Couples
A very well equipped museum. Real fossils, models and reproductions, videos and animatronic dinosaurs. Not too expensive and their are areas to sit and enjoy the view. Also a large collection of crystals for sale (if that's your thing). Did not see any cafe, it could do with one. Otherwise, very good. Despite the name there are other paleontalogical specimens there, not just dinosaurs.
Written 21 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi Eric, Thank you for the 5-star review and great feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back here again.
Written 21 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ivy P
1 contribution
Birthday party was a blast
Sep. 2023 • Family
My son had his 6th birthday at the museum and we were happy with the flow of the program conducted by the hosts. They were knowledgeable and managed to handle respectfully all the endless questions from our inquisitive little ones. The museum itself was well-presented and the just bursting with everything dinosaur even the gift shops. Really worth visiting!
Written 10 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hello, Thank you so much for your feedback. We are glad your son had a blast of a time! We look forward to welcoming you again.
Written 10 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shane S
Melbourne, Australia486 contributions
Over priced for what it is.
Jul. 2023 • Family
Looks good from the outside. Once you are in not really much to do
For the 20.00 per adult is way too expensive.
Then you have to deal with all the prams everywhere.
In some places you can’t even get past them because it’s not enough room.
The kids enjoyed the playground more than the museum.
Would have been there for maybe a hour
There’s a lot of exhibits but some have toy dinosaurs as the example.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We recommend that you avoid school holidays and public holidays. We hope to see you back at the museum again. Thank you.
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lankylee
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia1,106 contributions
Kids
Apr. 2023 • Family
This is a well done theme park. Grandson has been fascinated by dinosaurs but was a little taken back by some displays. A mix of palaeontology, Hollywood, and imagination. Most under 10 will love it.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi, Thank you very much for your feedback. We look forward to your next visit.
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Herman
Armidale, Australia498 contributions
Interactive, educational and fun - better for older kids
Jan. 2023
We did our own self-guided tour and we learned heaps. I had my three teenage boys with me and they loved it. Very hands-on and interactive and the gardens with dinosaurs and jeeps were much enjoyed - especially as they showed the size and scale. As for the massive amatheyst boulders - just beautiful even if unaffordable!
Written 21 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi Paul, Thank you for the lovely feedback. We are glad that you and your boys enjoyed your visit. We look forward to your next one!
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate P
Albury, Australia1 contribution
VERY OVERPRICED - not good for little kids
Nov. 2022 • Family
VERY overpriced for very little. Nothing interactive. Very boring for little children to walk around and look at statues… with everything inside exceptional fragile also not good with children
Written 4 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi Kate, Thank you for visiting us. We would love to see you again and I would like to personally walk you through the space. I am sure you will be quite surprised by the amount of activities we have on offer for really little children :) Sincerely, Carole
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Aley
5 contributions
Great Family Experience
Oct. 2022 • Family
Such a great experience for all ages!! Well set out, plenty of things for the kids to engage with. Would definitely visit again.
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi, Thank you for your feedback. We would love to welcome you back to the museum soon!
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,814 contributions
Dinosaur museum is fun and educational
Aug. 2022
Small children, boys in particular, are fascinated by dinosaurs, the giant lizards that once ruled the Earth. The National Dinosaur Museum is a private institution. It has animatronic dinosaurs, life-like dinosaur models, interactive displays and a number of full dinosaur skeletons and skulls. The Museum traces the evolution of life on Earth. The Museum is just out of Canberra, located in Gold Creek Road. The Museum hosts children's parties, it's fun and educational.
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi, Thank you so much fro your wonderful support and we look forward to seeing you again at the museum:)
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Havana57
Mill Park, Australia125 contributions
Overpriced
Aug. 2022 • Family
There are much better attractions around Canberra for families with young children.
It is overpriced for what is on hand. Go visit the reptile zoo near by instead.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NDMuseum
Hi, Thank you for visiting us. We would love to see you again and I would like to personally walk you through the space. You will be quite surprised by the amount of activities we have on offer for really little children :) and the hidden message about extinction awareness and loving our planet! Sincerely, Carole
Written 6 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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