Museum of Australian Democracy
Museum of Australian Democracy
Museum of Australian Democracy
4.5
Speciality MuseumsArchitectural BuildingsHistory MuseumsGovernment Buildings
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) is a living museum of social and political history. Located in a nationally significant heritage building, MoAD’s exhibitions, guided tours and family activities invite you to consider the past, present and future of our democracy and why it matters. See the historic spaces where some of Australia’s key moments happened, from the Senate and House of Representatives chambers to the Prime Minister’s Office. - Free entry - Guided tours available daily. - Open 9am – 5pm every day (except Christmas Day)
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
1,339 reviews
Excellent
923
Very good
338
Average
66
Poor
6
Terrible
6
LisaMC1967
Sydney, Australia95 contributions
Oct 2020
We visited twice over two days and started with the free short tour (on the hour) on day one. Our guide Declan was terrific and gave us great tips on what to see. It's a wonderful time capsule and the additional exhibitions downstairs - Freedom of the Press and Behind the Lines - are must sees.
Written 18 October 2020
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.
Thomas’s
Melbourne, Australia410 contributions
Apr 2021
This was the highlight of our trip to Canberra this time around. Only better and more informative attraction would be the War Memorial, but we didn't visit it this time.
The guided tour was really just a short chat - standing around the model of the building, in the time of Covid, but none-the-less it was informative and entertaining.
The kids particularly loved the exhibits as it should the workings of an office in another time. Onld phones, fax machines, Telex etc, and they could engage with the exhibits.
More enjoyable than New Parlimaent House if you only have time for one.
The guided tour was really just a short chat - standing around the model of the building, in the time of Covid, but none-the-less it was informative and entertaining.
The kids particularly loved the exhibits as it should the workings of an office in another time. Onld phones, fax machines, Telex etc, and they could engage with the exhibits.
More enjoyable than New Parlimaent House if you only have time for one.
Written 15 May 2021
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.
Justin F
Brisbane, Australia9 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
We found this building to be more interesting than the new Parliament House. This building is set up as if the staff had just left for the day. So much history to surround yourself in. The tours are great as some of the guides actually worked in the building at the time. They had some great stories to tell!
If you are making a day of it here between the two parliament houses, my advice is to bring food. Each building has a small eatery but it’s just easier to bring your own so you can focus on what you really came for.
The front door is still being repaired from the arson and the senate room is closed for some structural maintenance to the ceiling.
If you are making a day of it here between the two parliament houses, my advice is to bring food. Each building has a small eatery but it’s just easier to bring your own so you can focus on what you really came for.
The front door is still being repaired from the arson and the senate room is closed for some structural maintenance to the ceiling.
Written 25 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.
MsCulture
Melbourne, Australia228 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
After Melbourne 7mth lockdown was craving to see museums and galleries so headlined to Canberra. This museum was a complete surprise with excellent exhibitions- relevant, engaging, intelligent in content and design. Loved the cartoon annual exhibition, media and free press exhibition, Alison Adler art, as well as the Parliament House displays. Highly recommended.
Written 1 January 2021
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.
Hi MsCulture, we're happy you could visit us after such a long lockdown period! Our Exhibitions and Engagement teams will be delighted to know you found the exhibition content and design relevant, intelligent and surprising. Thank you for joining us! - Team MoAD
Written 28 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Fadi Haddad
Sydney, Australia144 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
A great experience not to be missed in Canberra. Taking a tour is recommended as it gives you an insight in the workings of the government and the history of the Australian parliament. Our volunteer tour guide, a public servant in the old Parliament was amazing and gave us an insight and funny anecdotes into the history and politics of the time. The displays were great and the staff very friendly. Highly recommended.
Written 3 January 2020
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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,736 contributions
Mar 2022
From 1927 to 1988, Old Parliament House, also known as Provisional Parliament House, was the centre of Australian government. Now, the former Parliamentary Library is hosting an exhibition called'Democracy at Work; the People, the Prime Ministers and the World.' Two former Prime Minsters, Tony Abbott (Liberal) and Kevin Rudd (Labor) visited. In recent months, the building suffered hail damage, and the entrance was set on fire. I have worked in both the Old and New Parliament Houses. I would say that New Parliament House is very practical, but it lacks the charm and sense of history of Old Parliament House.
Written 28 April 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.
Mrfluffer
Melbourne, Australia137 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
We love visiting this magnificent building and seeking the hilariously funny cartoons plus the beautiful rooms where Australias most important historical and hysterical decisions have been made.
Security at the front were very helpful and staff inside all very friendly and just so helpful.
We try and visit every year.
Security at the front were very helpful and staff inside all very friendly and just so helpful.
We try and visit every year.
Written 7 February 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.
CocoTampa123
Perth, Australia1,711 contributions
Jan 2020
We initially viewed the 'cartoon' area (Behind the lines), which was very well done, great cartoons, a number of which we had seen in the media previously, but each had a write up re news at the time behind the cartoon.
We then did a tour with a guide, very very informative, lots to see, so much information.
We then self guided around other parts of Old Parliament House, so much to see.
We then did a tour with a guide, very very informative, lots to see, so much information.
We then self guided around other parts of Old Parliament House, so much to see.
Written 28 January 2020
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.
Peter R
7 contributions
June 2021
This is a 'must see' building. The place ozzes with substance and character. To think that you can walk into what was Bob Hawke's office (and not to mention beingable to see his ensuite and dunny) is just amazing. The House of Reps and Senate chambers are a sight to behold. You can even see the telex machine where Rex Connor was probably hanging around (like a fart in a phone box )waiting for his 'chips' to arrive from some spive in a safari suit. Its all there
Written 21 March 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.
paulreid23
Buderim, Australia126 contributions
Dec 2020
Entry is free but we had to book a time due to the Covid restrictions.
Looking at the cramped conditions and the number of ashtrays I'm glad I didn't have to work there. And that wasn't even the press gallery! (off limits due to Covid)
The PM's office is a bit of a shrine to Bob Hawke, which is probably fair enough given he was the last to occupy it. But it's also Canberra, which loves its Labor PMs.
All-in-all, worth a visit.
Looking at the cramped conditions and the number of ashtrays I'm glad I didn't have to work there. And that wasn't even the press gallery! (off limits due to Covid)
The PM's office is a bit of a shrine to Bob Hawke, which is probably fair enough given he was the last to occupy it. But it's also Canberra, which loves its Labor PMs.
All-in-all, worth a visit.
Written 22 January 2021
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.
Hi Paul, thank you for your review. Our interpretated spaces offer an authentic look at how Old Parliament House was as a working parliament building - it certainly highlights the cramped office environment! Hopefully you can return to experience our re-opened Press Gallery. Good news, we now have a General Museum Pass - not a specific timed entry - which can be booked on our website. Thanks for joining us! - Team MoAD
Written 1 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What does this point of attraction have for children?
Written 28 July 2018
lella35
Sydney, Australia
Hi, there's actually a kids area full of different activities for children - called PlayUP, which has changing craft activites with has facilitated hours with staff members and is really engaging.
Written 10 October 2018
How long did people stay here for? We have two kids aged 10 and 8
Written 4 July 2018
I can't imagine this museum being too interesting for youngsters unless you turn it into a 'lesson' with your own stories or generating discussion on the topics covered, eg the Aboriginal tent embassy out front. For adults, the length of visit would depend how much reading is done. An hour was enough for me but if I had read all the exhibits I'd probably have doubled that.
Written 25 July 2018
Hi guys! Just wondering when the best time to visit the Rose Gardens would be? I really want to see it when all the flowers are in full bloom because I keep meaning to but never get around to it.
Thanks heaps!
Written 18 May 2018
I think late spring time is the very best season
Written 16 December 2018
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