Exhibitions
View exhibitions and displays currently showing at the National Archives in Canberra and venues around Australia. Find out more about our past exhibitions.
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A Ticket to Paradise?
Brian Jonmundsson and his wife Visitacion arrive in Sydney, 1963.
(A12111, 1/1963/4/41)Uncover the real story of Australian migration, from how the government sold 'the dream', to the individual experiences of those who made Australia home.
Had they received their ticket to paradise?
More information about A Ticket to Paradise?
28 November 2014 to 9 March 2015
National Archives of Australia
Queen Victoria Terrace
Parkes ACT -
Without Consent: Australia’s past adoption practices
Without Consent − moving experiences of heartbreak and resilience, shared by people impacted by Australia’s past adoption practices.
This project has been assisted by the Department of Social Services.
Visitors are invited to participate in our Public Programs events.
20 March 2015 to 19 July 2015
National Archives of Australia
Queen Victoria Terrace
Parkes ACT -
Banned
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
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
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
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
On permanent display
Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)
National Archives of Australia
Queen Victoria Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600 -
A Place to Call Home? Migrant hostel memories
Scheyville Migrant Centre.
(NAA: A12111, 2/1957/22A/37)Nissen huts, boiled mutton, bottled milk and helping hands.
Rekindle memories with vivid photographs of life in Australia's migrant hostels.
More information about A Place to Call Home? Migrant hostel memories
14 February 2015 to 30 April 2015
Fairfield City Museum and Gallery
634 The Horsley Drive
Smithfield NSW 2164Tour schedule
- Opens:
- 14 February 2015
- Closes:
- 30 April 2015
- Location:
- Fairfield City Museum and Gallery
634 The Horsley Drive
Smithfield NSW 2164
- Opens:
- 8 May 2015
- Closes:
- 24 July 2015
- Location:
- Margaret Whitlam Galleries
The Whitlam Institute within the University of Western Sydney
Cnr James Ruse Drive and Victoria Road
Rydalmere NSW 2116
- Opens:
- 4 September 2015
- Closes:
- 31 October 2015
- Location:
- Lavington Library
366 Griffith Rd
Lavington NSW 2641
- Opens:
- 1 December 2015
- Closes:
- 1 March 2016
- Location:
- Bunbury Museum & Heritage Centre
1 Arthur Street
Bunbury WA 6230
- Opens:
- 11 March 2016
- Closes:
- 20 April 2016
- Location:
- Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre
3 Rocca Way
Wanneroo WA 6065
- Opens:
- 6 May 2016
- Closes:
- 19 June 2016
- Location:
- Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery
3 Mary Elie Street (PO Box 481)
Port Pirie SA 5540
- Opens:
- 1 July 2016
- Closes:
- 2 October 2016
- Location:
- The Museum of the Riverina
Located Cnr Baylis and Morrow Streets
Wagga Wagga NSW 2650
- Opens:
- 13 October 2016
- Closes:
- 30 November 2016
- Location:
- Liverpool City Library
170 George Street
Liverpool NSW 2170
- Opens:
- 8 December 2016
- Closes:
- 1 February 2017
- Location:
- Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
Cnr of Goondoon and Bramston Streets
Gladstone QLD 4680
- Opens:
- 18 February 2017
- Closes:
- 30 April 2017
- Location:
- Museum of Tropical Queensland
70-102 Flinders Street
Townsville QLD 4810
- Opens:
- 10 May 2017
- Closes:
- 1 October 2017
- Location:
- Qantas Founders Museum
Sir Hudson Fysh Drive
Longreach QLD 4730
- Opens:
- 30 October 2017
- Closes:
- 25 February 2018
- Location:
- Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery
2 Invermay Road
Launceston TAS 7250
- Opens:
- 28 March 2018
- Closes:
- 27 May 2018
- Location:
- Grafton Regional Gallery
158 Fitzroy St
Grafton NSW 2460
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Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience
Sledging practice, Cape Denison, Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1912. Photographer: Frank Hurley.
(NAA: M584, 12)Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience celebrates the centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson in 1911–14 and charts Australian involvement in, and fascination with, Antarctica up to the present day.
More information about Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience
14 February 2015 to 22 March 2015
Grafton Regional Gallery
158 Fitzroy Street
Grafton NSW 2460Tour schedule
- Opens:
- 5 July 2014
- Closes:
- 7 September 2014
- Location:
- Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
1 Barolin Street
Bundaberg QLD 4670
- Opens:
- 20 September 2014
- Closes:
- 1 November 2014
- Location:
- Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
Cnr Goondoon & Bramston Streets
Gladstone QLD 4680
- Opens:
- 6 December 2014
- Closes:
- 1 February 2015
- Location:
- Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
166 Old Maryborough Road
Pialba QLD 4655
- Opens:
- 14 February 2015
- Closes:
- 22 March 2015
- Location:
- Grafton Regional Gallery
158 Fitzroy Street
Grafton NSW 2460
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:
MarchFriday 6 to Saturday 7 – Late night openings for Enlighten Festival 6–11pm
Saturday 7 to Monday 9 – Canberra Day long weekend
April
Saturday 4 to Monday 6 – Easter
Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 – Anzac Day and long weekend
May
Tuesday 27 May to Tuesday 3 June – Reconciliation week
June
Saturday 6 to Monday 8 – Queen's Birthday long weekend
July
Saturday 4 to Sunday 19 inclusive
Thursday 9 – Constitution Day
September
Saturday 26 to Monday 28 – Family and Community Day long weekend
October
Saturday 3 to Monday 5 – Labour Day long weekend
December
Saturday 26 to Monday 29
