Get spooked in Canberra’s Old Parliament House

Visitors often overlook the Old Parliament House in Canberra. Especially if they have limited time in Australia’s Capital City. The building, now home of the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) is open every day except Christmas Day. Entry will cost you $2 for adults and $1 for children and concession card holders. Visiting is free for children under 5 years old and you can buy a family pass for $5. 

Old Parliament House – what to see?

• Enjoy the Exhibitions & Displays, with artefacts, rooms and oral histories available.
• Kids tired and need a break?
  • There’s a kids play area between 9am and 4pm – it’s free after you have your entry ticket.
• Take a tour – ‘One off’ tours are available, but must be booked.
  • The next tour is at 3 pm Saturday 11th November, 2017.
  • It’s an interactive tour telling the story of a constitutional crisis, the dismissal of a Prime Minister.
  • The cost is $7 per person, which includes entry to the museum.
  • Booking is necessary, as there are only places for 30 participants.
• Have something to eat or just a cuppa.
  • There are two cafes in the museum
  • The Terrace Café is a good spot for that cuppa and perhaps something light like a sandwich. Open every day
  • For a more substantial bite, head for Hoi Polloi. Open every day until 2.30pm, they also have a kids menu.
  • High tea is available during the Annual Floriad (Early September to mid-October)
• Find a ghost
  • Three prime ministers died in office though not necessarily in the ‘House’  – Joe Lyons, John Curtin and Harold Holt.
  • A number of MPs and Senators did actually die here, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  • Have a chat to the security guards and cleaners to see if they’ve ever seen or heard anything.
  • Join a torchlight tour illuminated with ‘genuine stories of death, mysterious occurrences and dastardly deeds’ at Old Parliament House. All remaining 2017 tours are sold out. Watch for updates to get in early for 2018.
  • The torchlight tours cost $20 per person and must be booked as places are limited. The tour runs for 75 minutes, starting at 8pm.

Getting there:

• Old Parliament House is accessible by bus from the City.
  • Routes 2, 3 (weekdays), 934 and 935 (weekends and public holidays) stop on Parkes Place.
  • Route 6 stops on King George Terrace and runs only on week days.
  • There is a Free City Bus Loop, which drops passengers at the City Bus Station. You can catch one of the other buses from there.
• Walking in the area is not difficult as it’s fairly flat. The footpaths are reasonably level and equipped with curb ramps at most corners.
• Most of the museum is accessible for people with disabilities and there is designated parking available at the front of the building on King George Terrace.
• Paid parking is available nearby between 8.30 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Click for more information about Old Parliament House Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD).