Australian Capital Territory

Australian Capital Territory

Our Australian Capital Territory Office is located on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

We are open to the public every day except Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Address

National Archives
National Office

Kings Avenue
Parkes ACT 2600

Get directions

Hours

  • Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm
  • Sat–Sun 9 am–5 pm

Research centre hours

  • Mon–Fri 9:30 am–4:30 pm
  • Sat–Sun Closed

Phone

02 6212 3600
Voices Gallery National Archives of Australia.

Exhibition

Voices / Dhuniai

Canberra

Visit the Voices exhibition to take a journey through the history of the Australian Constitution and the rights and freedoms it guarantees.

Connections gallery

Exhibition

Connections / Mura gadi

Canberra

The Connections exhibition reflects surprising and important connections between Australians and their government.

A class of young children gathered around a teacher seated at a piano shaking her hands.

Event

Murrulangalang story time

28 Aug 2024 - 18 Dec 2024

Canberra

Join us for a fun interactive session of songs, stories and more for your early learners.

Surf lifesavers push boat carrying man in Santa suit onto sand.

Online event

An Australian Christmas

11 Dec 2024

Online

Join us for a summer holiday celebration to discover what our records show us about this festive time of the year.

Festivals and celebrations - Family celebrate Christmas on Sydney Harbour foreshore

Members

Members' end-of-year celebration

13 Dec 2024

Canberra

Join us for a delightful evening at National Archives of Australia to celebrate the year's end!

Education - State schools - Children at art class, Higgins Primary Australian Capital Territory

Event

Family craft at the Archives

14 Dec 2024

Canberra

Join us for an afternoon of nature crafts as we celebrate 2024 and the approach of the New Year.

2012 – Overall Winner. Squid School (detail). Photographer: Wayne Osborn

Event

Under the sea holiday program

13 Jan 2025 - 24 Jan 2025

Canberra

Join us during the school holidays to create art inspired by underwater imagery! Perfect for young artists and their families!

COVID-19 safety updates

The National Archives manages its COVID-19 requirements based on ACT Health COVID-19 guidelines.

If you may have a contagious illness, please postpone your visit. We would love to see you when you are feeling better.

We appreciate your patience and support as we work through this together.

Visitor information

Exhibitions 

We have 2 permanent exhibitions highlighting stories from the collection: Connections / Mura gadi and Voices / Dhuniai.  

All exhibitions are open daily except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm.

Cafe 

Cafe Constitution offers great coffee and meals in a beautiful light-filled space at the heart of the National Archives. It's the perfect place to relax after checking out an exhibition. 

Cafe Constitution is open weekdays from 8 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Hours are subject to change – please contact the cafe on 0456 962 851 before visiting to confirm opening and closing times.  

Research Centre

Our Research Centre is open Monday to Friday except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Opening hours are 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. 

You will need to request records to view and book a time to visit in advance. Please complete an advance request for records and we will contact you to confirm your booking. Alternatively, you can email us or call on 02 6212 3600.  

At this time, we are only accepting visits to view records. If you have a query about the collection, please ask us a question online. 

Onsite accessibility

People who use a wheelchair can access the National Archives through the main entrance on Kings Avenue or through the rear entrance facing the Western Carpark entrance. 

There are accessible toilets on the ground floor of the building.

Wi-fi access

Free wi-fi is available for visitors.

Getting here

Car parking

There are long-stay car parks on either side of the National Archives building.

The small car park at the National Archives' main entrance is PAID parking 7 days a week. This includes disability parking spots. See Wilson Parking.

The large car park at the National Archives' rear entrance is PAID parking from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, and FREE on weekends. See parking fees set by the National Capital Authority. 

Both the main entrance and the rear entrance to the National Archives building are wheelchair friendly.

The ticket machines accept payment by credit card or coins, or you can pay via the appropriate app.

Parking map

Buses

The National Archives is served by several regular bus routes. 

The closest stops are at:

  • Barton Bus Station (National Circuit)
  • John Gorton Building (Parkes Place)
  • Federation Mall near Parliament House.

Please check the Transport Canberra website for current route maps and timetables, or phone 13 17 10.

Taxis

Taxis can pick up and drop off passengers near the Kings Avenue entrance to the building.

Quote ‘National Archives of Australia, Parkes’ as the location.

Taxi companies in Canberra include:

Postal address

PO Box 4924
Kingston
ACT 2604