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Building + Architecture Tour | 10am Daily BUILDING AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR departs at 10am daily.
4.6
9 Ratings
Canberra
Join our daily Building and Architecture Tour at 10am to explore the fascinating stories behind the National Museum of Australia's unique structure, design, and landscape.
Duration:
1 hour
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- National Museum of Australia - Present your ticket at the Information Hub on arrival to join the Building and Architecture Tour. On this wonderful one hour guided building and architecture tour, you will discover the amazing stories that have come together in the incredible structure that is the National Museum of Australia. You will learn about the many hidden meanings in the museums unique building, design and landscape. Your highly knowledgeable host bring the stories to life!
After the tour, spend some time exploring the Museum. With an exciting calendar of world-class touring exhibitions, events, school holiday programs and festivals, there is always something unique to see and do. Explore our stunning location and admire the building’s impressive architecture, relax at our popular lakeside caf or indulge in our one-of-a-kind shop.
What's Included
- Building and Architecture Tour
What's Not Included
- The listed price does not include a parking fee, payable at the time of arrival to the Museum car park.
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
DAILY DEPARTURE OF THE BUILDING AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR at 10am.
Embarking on a guided tour is the most rewarding way to explore and understand the National Museum of Australia.
With our enlightening Building and Architecture tour, you can uncover the intriguing tales woven into the fabric of the National Museum of Australia’s exceptional structure. Discover the cryptic symbols within the building’s distinct design and surroundings.
Our skilled and informed guides are there to breathe life into these narratives! Tours can also be conducted in different languages upon request.
Do remember to wear suitable shoes for outdoor walking.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Present your either printed or electronic voucher (e-vouchers) with photo ID to matching the booking name in exchange for your activity. Without proof of purchase and photo ID, the Museum reserves the right to charge visitors for the cost of the tour per person.
- On arrival proceed to the Information Hub to redeem your voucher
- Wheelchairs, prams and motorised scooters are available for hire from the Information Desk
Location
National Museum of Australia
Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(9 Ratings)
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Sally_r
Apr 12, 2024
A better understanding - I have a better understanding of the ideas behind the design, e.g. linking the buildings to the landscape, the layering of stories, the incorporation of other significant buildings design features, the representation of the rainbow serpent in the sculptural loop, the incorporation of new axes projecting towards Parliament house and the red heart of the country. Anthony was an engaging and knowledgeable guide, the tour was very good value, I particularly appreciated the book "Building the National Museum of Australia" that was included.
Review provided by Viator
Lorraine_b
Feb 21, 2023
This was an interesting... - This was an interesting introduction to the architecture and symbolic meaning of the National Museum, including some of the galleries and indigenous exhibits. I had not been to the Museum before, and this tour enhanced my visit.
Review provided by Viator
Jan_h
Aug 17, 2022
So much fun learning about this building. - Excellent guided tour through the architecture of the building -thanks, Lester. Came away with an enhanced understanding of the First Nations story. Enjoyed the landscaping using Australian plants.
Review provided by Viator
619jeffry
Apr 9, 2022
Greek contribution to Western civilisation is profound - Australia is a land of great diversity and a national museum should reflect that diversity. The National Museum has many aspects, the First Australians feature prominantly, as they should. The discovery of the Great Southern Land is treated appropriately. The galvanised iron windmills are an icon of the Bush, no national Australian museum could ignore them. My favouite exhibition was the visiting exhibition: Ancient Greece the Greek : athletes, seamen, warriors and scholars helped shape the Western world
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jackie_w
Apr 21, 2021
Museum tour - One of the best tours ever! Got so much out of it. Essential pre museum entry! Ross our guide was fabulous
Review provided by Viator
Kate_b
Apr 13, 2021
A tour revealing the secrets of the architecture. - A wonderful tour of a fantastic building giving rise to an understanding of the extensive symbolism of the building including; The Braille dots, the maps, blue poles, the suburbia swimming pool, the obscured Sorry message, the Boolean Knot as source of architectural inspiration for the internal entry space and the metal posts representing the dingo fence. Do not miss this treat, so that you have an insight into this amazing building. The building is also a photographers paradise.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_b
Jul 29, 2019
Highlights Canberra Museum tour - Canberra has an amazing museum of Australia history - you could spend all day , However we opted for the highlights & we were not disappointment, having someone identify the most appropriate area's with and explanation was a great way to gather insights into Australian history - very impressed with the flying doctor service and aboriginal artifacts & stories . ( thank you Bonia great job )
Review provided by Viator
Joaniem620
Nov 17, 2022
Good tour guide, odd building - The tour guide did the best he could to explain the oddities of the building. To me, it seemed like the architecture was going to extremes to try to embody worthwhile meaning in odd, meaningless ways. For example, to symbolize the coming together or peoples/cultures, picture a knot of ropes. Then picture a cloth dropped over the top of the knot. The roof of the building has the contours of that cloth. But... is a knot a good representation of people coming together? And, what meaning does it add to drop a cloth over the knot? Sometimes, when symbolism is explained, a person says, "now I get it". All I could say was "what? "why?".
The museum, itself, had some interesting displays... some just for the purposes of nostalgia, but some provding a real history of people/places/events.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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