Exhibitions

View exhibitions and displays currently showing at the National Archives in Canberra and venues around Australia. Find out more about our past exhibitions.

  • Footprints: the journey of Lucy and Percy Pepper

    Studio portrait of the Pepper family, circa 1912. Courtesy of the Watkins family.
    Studio portrait of the Pepper family, circa 1912. Courtesy of the Watkins family.

    Trace the remarkable story of an Aboriginal family’s struggle for survival in early 20th-century Victoria.

    More information about Footprints: the journey of Lucy and Percy Pepper Hyperlink logo

    27 May 2013 to 3 June 2013

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT

  • Design 29: Creating a Capital

    Design 29: Creating a Capital logo

    On now

    See the original and rarely displayed designs for Canberra by the 1911 Federal Capital City Design Competition finalists. A once in a century opportunity, these intricate artworks and plans include the winning entry No. 29 submitted by Walter Burley Griffin.

    More information about Design 29: Creating a Capital Hyperlink logo

    1 March 2013 to 8 September 2013

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Banned

    Banned Logo

    The National Archives in Canberra has updated its café with a new display on banned books. Read about the secret history of Australian censorship as you sip your coffee.

    More information about Banned Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra

    read caption for description
    A game of bowls at Hotel Canberra, 1926.  
    (NAA: A3560, 2691)

    Discovering Mildenhall's Canberra is an display of photographs capturing the construction of the national capital.

    More information about Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Memory of a Nation

    Students from Launceston Church Grammar School explore Memory of a Nation at the National Archives in Canberra

    Discover the events and the people – both ordinary and extraordinary – who have shaped this nation. Regularly updated to include new exhibits and interactives.

    More information about Memory of a Nation Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice

    Photograph showing the original grave and marker of Private John Henderson in Belgium
    Original grave and marker (NAA: B2455, Henderson J 2383)

    Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice explores how the nation dealt with the lingering effects of World War I over the next 20 years.

    More information about Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice Hyperlink logo

    4 May 2013 to 28 July 2013

    Museum of Tropical Queensland 
    70-102 Flinders Street 
    Townsville QLD 4810

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    1 February 2013
    Closes:
    23 March 2013
    Location:
    Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
    166 Old Maryborourgh Rd
    Pialba QLD 4655
    Opens:
    4 May 2013
    Closes:
    28 July 2013
    Location:

    Museum of Tropical Queensland
    70-102 Flinders Street
    Townsville QLD 4810

    Opens:
    30 August 2013
    Closes:
    19 January 2014
    Location:

    Qantas Founders Museum
    Longreach Airport
    Sir Hudson Fysh Drive
    Longreach QLD 4730

Federation Gallery

Special viewing dates

Our Federation Gallery contains some of Australia's most significant documents – those that record the founding of the Commonwealth of Australia. We like to refer to these as the 'birth certificates' of our nation.

The seven items in the gallery include the original Constitution Act passed by the British Parliament and the Royal Commission of Assent signed by Queen Victoria on 9 July 1900. They also include documents that record later changes to Australia's Constitution.

The National Archives is committed to ensuring the future survival of this material as well as encouraging and facilitating Australians' access to the documents.

New preservation research techniques measure the impact of light on documents. We balance the documents' future conservation needs with the public's right to access. We now open the gallery for special public viewing days, and for group and school bookings.

Special viewing:

  • No current viewing dates. 

Our staff will be on hand to show you the documents.

Copyright National Archives of Australia 2013