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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,339 reviews
Excellent
923
Very good
338
Average
66
Poor
6
Terrible
6
Justin F
Brisbane, Australia9 contributions
Sep 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 September 25, 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, Australia136 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 February 7, 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.
EdT255060
Sydney, Australia8,169 contributions
Nov 2020
I first visited this building when it was Australia's parliament. At the time most of the building was off limits to the public, and we could only see the chambers from the galleries, as is the case with the current parliament building. So it was wonderful to revisit many years later to see what it was like behind the scenes in the offices of the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House and others. Some of the offices still had personal touches like sports equipment and ashtrays with cigarette butts. It was also fun to be able to actually sit in the member's seats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The guides were very helpful and knowledgeable, and gave an excellent insight into how the building used to work.
Looking at older reviews, it looks like there was an admission fee of $2 in the past. Entry is now free, but I did give a donation. Fortunately I also visited during the weekend when parking was free.
Looking at older reviews, it looks like there was an admission fee of $2 in the past. Entry is now free, but I did give a donation. Fortunately I also visited during the weekend when parking was free.
Written November 24, 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, Australia13,707 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 April 28, 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.
Carolynt23
Adelaide, Australia448 contributions
Mar 2021
Parliament wasn't sitting when we were there so visiting new Parliament House was impressive/ interesting but not that exciting. We walked down to old Parliament House which houses this museum. It is free like most museums in Canberra. Here the crowds were less and you can walk into most of the rooms and are free to explore yourself. Being a senior much of the history here was familiar to me and i really enjoyed many of these older exhibits. We had afternoon coffee (very good) in their cafe which if you sit on the terrace overlooks the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and War Memorial (in the distance).
Written April 14, 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 Carolynt23, thank you for your kind words. As the proud custodians of Old Parliament House we are happy to hear you enjoyed exploring the heritage spaces and exhibitions. We're glad you could enjoy an afternoon coffee at our Terrace Cafe - it really is a stunning view! - Team MoAD
Written April 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thomas’s
Melbourne, Australia409 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 May 15, 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.
LisaMC1967
Sydney, Australia94 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 October 18, 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.
Wayne
Sydney, Australia113 contributions
Jan 2020
I've been to the museum a number of times but on this occasion I did two of their tours - not the general type but rather "Animals in the House" and "Ghost Hunters ( After Dark Tour)" which took you to different parts of the building and gave interesting information. Can't say too much about the content of the tours as I wouldn't want to spoil them for other visitors but will say Ghost Hunters is a tour by lantern light. The guides on both tours were excellent; young, enthusiastic about their work with excellent story telling skills. Also visited the 2019 Behind the Lines Exhibition ( the best cartoons of 2019). As usual an excellent and very amusing display.
Written January 20, 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
Jun 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 March 21, 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, Australia225 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 January 1, 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 February 28, 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 July 28, 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 October 10, 2018
How long did people stay here for? We have two kids aged 10 and 8
Written July 4, 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 July 25, 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 May 18, 2018
I think late spring time is the very best season
Written December 16, 2018
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