Children up to 12 can play in ticketed Discovery Centre, join school-holiday workshops and handle interactives in galleries; parents find toilets, change rooms and free birdwatch booklet on site.
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Gives time to explore main galleries, Discovery Centre and garden without tiring kids
Tim & Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre:
Interactive play-and-learn zones with animatronic animals and soft-play areas
Tip: Book 75-minute sessions online and arrive 10 minutes early to store prams
First Australians Gallery:
Multisensory exhibits on Aboriginal culture with touch and audio interactives
Tip: Pick up a free kids’ guide at the Information Desk to follow fun activities
Free hourly host talks:
10-minute talks on the hour in core galleries
Tip: Check talk times on signs and gather in the main hall 5 minutes before start
Garden of Australian Dreams:
Outdoor art installations and water features by Lake Burley Griffin
Tip: Bring a small picnic and mix garden visits between indoor galleries
Great Kimberley Wilderness VR:
35-minute VR experience exploring the Kimberley region
Tip: Book the family slot and ensure each child meets the 8+ age requirement
In summer, use shady outdoor garden spots and carry water. In winter, enjoy quieter afternoons and shorter queues.
Explore These Activities
Nerine Cummins
Located at Lawson Crescent, Acton, ACT, Australia 🇦🇺 This museum is a MUST when visiting the ACT. It’s free entry and we also saw the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition which is also Free 🆓 entry. The Mr Squiggle exhibition was fantastic, brought back so many memories from watching the show when I was a child. The rest of the exhibits in the Gallery section was just as wonderful. The range of s...
Jordi I
Our family had a very positive experience here. The displays were beautiful and the building is stunning and extravagant, no expense spared in any way. Very welcoming environment, we entered without booking and just walked straight in and wandered around admiring the displays. There are many interactive elements to the displays with educational snippets everywhere you look. Many fascinating things...
Sang Hyun Kim
While I didn't get to visit the museum during the day, I did attend a conference event here, and it seemed like a really great space to host it. There was plenty of room for guests to dine and move around. The views are also pretty spectacular, including the giant dinosaur fossil. The building looks beautiful from the outside, too. I've heard great things about some colleagues who did visit it, so...
Terhi Tapiainen
This is a nice place to visit and have a walk. I liked the cafe and the architecture of the place. The atmosphere was lovely - many familiws were visiting at the same time. I was not sure about the exhibition - it seems to be nationally important but is not clearly focused.
Yvonne Luk
I enjoyed my time at the museum, especially the “ Great Southern Land” gallery, which explains different regions' climate, environment, and diversity. It is super cool to include all the main areas, which makes me think that’s what a national museum should be. The museum is free to enter, but a special exhibition requires you to pay. I even visited the cafe shop, which is super crowded at noon but...
Item | Cost (Approx.) |
---|---|
Main gallery entry | AUD 0 |
Discovery Centre family session | AUD 30 |
Great Kimberley VR family slot | AUD 60 |
Museum café lunch | AUD 40 |
Total Estimated | AUD 130 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Address: Lawson Cres, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
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