Visit

The National Museum is on Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri land, beside the west basin of Lake Burley Griffin. Our street address is Lawson Crescent, Acton, ACT.

Public transport, walk, cycle

Bus route 53 visits the Museum 7 days a week. The bus stop is on Lennox Crossing, about 200 metres from our entrance. See timetable at Transport Canberra

Walk, cycle or scoot from the city or by Lake Burley Griffin on a shared path.

Access to the Museum via road and paved pedestrian path remains unchanged after a fence was erected on the lakeside path. Statement about asbestos on NCA land

Taxi or ride share with pick-up and drop-off at the taxi zone sign under the big orange loop, near our main entrance.

Car, motorbike parking

$4 per hour or $17 per day, 8.30am to 5pm weekdays. Free on weekends, public holidays and always for limited mobility spaces and motorbikes. Parking fees and ticketing

Parking is monitored weekdays by the National Capital Authority. Check the short-stay and long-stay signs for details and contact the NCA if you receive a fine. Parking FAQs

Accessible parking

Parking spaces for visitors with limited mobility and the required permit are available free of charge near our main entrance, under the loop. Coach bays 5 and 9 are suitable for coaches fitted with mobility access lifts, hoists or ramps.

Coaches, mini-buses and trailers

Private mini-buses, caravan and trailer parking: Use the reserved bays marked in the long stay zone near the car park entry.

Coach parking: 9 spaces marked ‘bus stop’ near the main entrance, with set-down and pick-up zone near the red fire-hydrant boosters. Overflow parking available on Lawson Crescent.

Download Map showing coach parking and route to overflow parking322.8 kb pdf [ PDF | 322.8 kb ]

The Museum is committed to providing and improving access for all visitors to our collection, exhibitions, employment and events, both onsite and online.

If you have questions or we can help tailor services to your needs before you visit, please email disability@nma.gov.au or contact us through the National Relay Service, freecall 1800 026 132 or + 61 2 6208 5345 weekdays.

Access symbols: Sign Language Interpretation; Audio Description for TV, Video and Film; The Symbol of Accessibility; Closed Captioning (CC)

Parking

Accessible parking spaces for visitors with mobility impairment and the required permit are available free of charge, about 40 metres from our main entrance. The route is not protected from the weather.

Coach bays 5 and 9 are suitable for coaches fitted with mobility access lifts, hoists or ramps.

Toilets

There is a Changing Places accessible public toilet with adult change table and hoist on the Lower Ground floor.

Unisex accessible toilets, baby change tables and an ambulant toilet are available on the Ground floor, off our Gandel Atrium.

Mobility

Lifts: Are usually available for accessing each of the Museum’s three levels – Lower Ground, Ground and Level 1 (sometimes called the Mezzanine).

Wheelchairs and motorised scooters: Bring your own or if you’d like to use ours, we suggest booking 24 hours in advance. Phone +61 2 6208 5110, with pick-up from the Information Desk in the Gandel Atrium.

Pompeii exhibition

The Pompeii exhibition features a representation of a volcanic eruption using large-scale projections and soundscapes. It happens every 15 minutes and involves loud noises and changing light levels. See the sensory map or learn more about Pompeii exhibition accessibility.

Vision

Large print Museum maps and tactile guides for our permanent galleries are available for free loan from the Information Desk. Pompeii visitors can listen to audio description and exhibition labels for 20 key objects.

Sound

We have a hearing induction loop at the Information Desk in our Gandel Atrium.

There is an audio loop designed for people who are hard of hearing, to enhance the Breathing Space experience in the Garden of Australian Dreams.

Neurodiversity

Visual stories help with what to expect when you visit. Staff are here to help ensure you have a great experience. See the general visual story page.

Download Visual story – Visiting the National Museum of Australia2.1 mb pdf [ PDF | 2.1 mb ]

Download Visual story – Discovery Centre1.9 mb pdf [ PDF | 1.9 mb ]

Download Visual story – School visits1.1 mb pdf [ PDF | 1.1 mb ]

Autism Spectrum Australia supported the development of our visual stories. For more information or to share feedback please email accessprograms@nma.gov.au, free call 1800 026 132 or phone +61 2 6208 5000.

Quiet hours

Book a Pompeii exhibition quiet hours session, for visitors who prefer reduced noise and sensory experiences, from 4pm to 6pm on 1 April. Book a quiet hours Discovery Centre session on the first Tuesday of the month from March 2025.

Assistance animals

Trained, registered and visibly identified assistance animals are welcome when accompanied by their handler. Assistance animal guidelines and procedures

Concessions

Many of our exhibitions and events are free, but costs apply for some. Companion cards and most major concession cards are accepted. Read more about concession categories in Ticket terms and conditions.

Collection

Our Collection Explorer is under development and not optimised for mobile devices. Email collectionsearch@nma.gov.au if you need help searching or accessing our collection.

Requests for permission to view collection objects that are not on display at the Museum must be made in advance, with visits by appointment only. Email collectionaccess@nma.gov.au.

Website

The Museum is committed to delivering content that meets the AA standard of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1. If you find any problems or are having any issues with access, please email feedback@nma.gov.au.

Information Desk

See a host, just inside the Museum entrance for:

information, including maps
buying tickets for special exhibitions and experiences
tour bookings and information
cloaking large bags, umbrellas, jackets and other items.

Parents room

Includes a toilet, change table and microwave. Located on the Ground floor, off the Gandel Atrium, and at the Discovery Centre. Breastfeeding is welcome throughout the Museum.

Faith and quiet room

Our multi-faith room is a quiet space for reflection, prayer, meditation or time out. It is located above our Friends Room, off the Gandel Atrium.

Members

Join Friends for exclusive member access to our lakeside Friends Lounge. Members receive benefits including discounts in our Cafe and Shop and access to exclusive events.

Photography and filming

Photography for personal use is allowed in our galleries, except where signs request no photography. For commercial photography and filming requests, email bookings@nma.gov.au

Ticket refunds and exchanges

See terms and conditions for visitors who have purchased a ticket to a Museum event or exhibition.

Wi-fi

Connect to our free NMA-PUBLIC wi-fi.

Everything we sell at our award-winning Museum Shop has a story to tell. The Shop is located just inside the main Museum entrance. Open 9am to 5pm daily.

Products

The Museum Shop stocks beautiful homewares, glassware, jewellery, First Nations products, toys, books, bath and body products, candles, gifts and more.

Your purchase supports the Museum’s work, local designers and a range of First Nations artists and art centres.

Visit our Museum Shop online to discover:

jigsaws and boredom busters to entertain the family
the latest ELK range
incredible exhibition catalogues and Museum publications.

Pompeii exhibition

Visit our special temporary exhibition shop, inspired by the seaside and Italian food, design and fashion. Until 4 May 2025

Services

Packing, postage and overseas shipping
Gift wrapping
Spend $70 and get free shipping in Australia
Mastercard and Visa accepted
Friends receive 10% discount and access to exclusive Shop specials and events

Contact

email themuseumshop@nma.gov.au
phone +61 2 6208 5222

The Museum Shop won Silver at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards in the category of Tourism Retail, Hire and Services, after taking out the Canberra Region Tourism Award.

The Museum Cafe is the perfect place for breakfast, lunch or a catch up with friends. Enjoy delicious food and outstanding service, with stunning architecture and spectacular views over Lake Burley Griffin.

Open

Daily 9am to 4.30pm

Bookings

Book now

Bookings have a 1.5 hour seating time. If you need a longer sitting or are having trouble booking online please email info@broadbeancatering.com.au or phone 02 6208 5064.

Group bookings

We welcome large groups upon discussion. Email info@broadbeancatering.com.au to discuss your requirements.

Menus

Broadbean Catering & Events is the Museum’s exclusive caterer.

Download weekday cafe menu [PDF |98.6 kb]

Download weekend cafe menu [PDF | 99.4 kb]

Dietary needs

We pride ourselves on having options available for all our guests. These include but are not limited to, vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy free.

Cafe at the National Museum of Australia, with rows of tables and chairs beside large, light-filled windows.

Facilities

Sit indoors, on the deck or relax in one of our comfortable lounge chairs. Take advantage of our free wi-fi and mobile recharge station.

We also have several highchairs in the cafe. Please keep in mind that these may be in high demand during busy periods.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing access for all visitors. The cafe is on the ground floor, close to accessible toilets. If you have specific accessibility requirements please note them in your online booking or email info@broadbeancatering.com.au.

Venue hire and exclusive use

The Museum Cafe is an impressive setting for your corporate event or cocktail reception and is available for exclusive hire before or after hours.

High ceilings combine with expansive windows and access to the outdoor deck and balcony. Read about the Lakeside Deck on venue hire.

Discuss your event requirements and find out more by emailing events@broadbeancatering.com.au.

See galleries, garden and public spaces, toilets and lifts across the Museum’s three floors.

Download Museum map491.7 kb pdf [ PDF | 491.7 kb ]

Ask a host for help or use these detailed directions to find special places at the Museum.

Visions Theatre

From the main entrance go past the Information Desk towards the orange ‘Galleries’ sign at the far end of the Gandel Atrium.
Pass through the glass sliding doors and continue past the large bunya pine tree trunk display in our Great Southern Land exhibition.
You will come to a red staircase on your left, and a lift in front of you.
1. Up the stairs: Visions Theatre is ahead on your right.
2. Up in the lift: Visions Theatre is on your left.

Discovery Centre

From the main entrance, go past the Information Desk towards the orange ‘Galleries’ sign at the far end of the Gandel Atrium.
You will come to glass sliding doors. Before you enter, there is a lift to your left. Through the doors are stairs going down to your right.
1. Down in the lift: Go to the Lower Ground floor and continue up the ramp, then through the glass sliding doors and turn left.
2. Down the stairs: Turn left at the bottom.
Go through the glass sliding doors, turn immediately right and pass through another set of glass sliding doors outside to the Garden of Australian Dreams.
On the far side of the Garden is a white structure.
The entrance of the Discovery Centre is to the left and just behind the white structure.

We are maintaining onsite safety measures

We ask you to