For such a young country, Australia certainly does have a very rich history and it is well documented through archives, exhibitions and architecture in Canberra.
The list below includes Historic Sites that are a must see:
1. Australian War Memorial
When: All year round: 10am-5pm (Closed Christmas Day)
Where: Treloar Crescent, Campbell
Cost: Free
Details: You can take a tour or a self-guided tour where you will walk through the Shrine of Remembrance, explore galleries of Australia's war history. Each day at 4:55pm the Last Post Ceremony signifies the end of the day and catching this really special scene is a must.
Click here for website.
2. National Film and Sound Archive When: All year round: 9am-5pm
Where: McCoy Circuit, Acton
Cost: Free
Details: Discover Australia's rich history of film, television and radio as well as seeing Australia's first ever Oscar statue. You can easily find yourself getting lost here with over 2 million works in the collection.
Click here for website.
3. Old Parliament House, also known as Musuem of Australian Democracy When: All year round: 9am-5pm (Closed Christmas Day)
Where: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Adults: $2pp & Children: $1pp
Details: This is the perfect place to reflect and appreciate history. Old Paliament House was the social, geographic and political heart of Canberra and the whole ACT. Today the building itself, the rooms inside, and pieces left behind tell the exciting history of Australia's democratic government.
Click here for website.
4. Parliament House
When: See website for details.
Where: Parliament Drive, Canberra
Cost: Free
Details: Visitors can wander the public areas of the Parliament House with a self-guided or guided tour. You can also go on the Parliament House Walk, which links the building to Canberra's city- it is a 3.4km path which features interpretive signs providing information about cultural institutions and the history of the Parliamentary Triangle.
Click here for website.
5. Hotel Kurrajong
When: All year round
Where: Barton, Canberra
Cost: Free to visit, for stay pricing see website.
Details: There is no shortage of history at this historical site. The Hotel embraces history and heritage, being former home to ex-Prime Minister Ben Chifley, operating as a hostel for public servants and more recently as a hotel school , and today it is a 4.5 star hotel. Originally built in 1926, there is a lot of history here.
Click here for website.
6. Lanyon Homestead
When: Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-4pm
Where: Thawra Drive, Thawra
Cost: Adults: $7pp & Family: $15
Details: This 1850s Homestead is a historic site and it offers a landscape of natural beauty, restored and renovated Homestead. There are changing exhibitions, interactive and educational programs. Admission includes guided tour.
