Australian Parliament House

Stopped at Parliament House during our road trip from Sydney to Melbourne, and it’s easily one of the best free attractions in Canberra. Entry is completely free, and the building itself is architecturally stunning. The interiors are grand and modern, with beautiful marble finishes and huge open spaces. You can explore both the House of Representatives and Senate chambers, which makes it a great educational experience for families as well. The prototype of Parliament built with LEGO bricks was a real surprise, especially for my kids. We didn’t expect that at all! It made the visit even more engaging for my family. They offer a free “Heart of the House” guided tour (advance booking recommended), which gives deeper insight into Australia’s political history and the design of the building. One of the highlights is walking up to the rooftop for panoramic views of Canberra and the city’s iconic layout. There’s convenient underground parking available for 1 hour free, paid after that making it ideal for a short stop. Even though we didn’t spend much time as we were heading back to Melbourne, it’s definitely worth planning a longer visit if you’re exploring Canberra.

Great atmosphere and plenty to explore, especially if you enjoy Australian history and politics. I could easily spend a few hours here with my laptop, soaking up the surroundings while getting some work done. The only thing missing is a café serving good coffee, snacks, and light meals—it would make the experience even better.

The city plan is well designed in a triangle aligned to the land 1) Parliament house 2) Russell Defence 3) City Hill. Two bridges leading to parliament. The base of the triangle (facing the people’s side of the lake) represented citizens, while the apex at Capital Hill represented the government responding to the will of the people.

It was a wonderful experience to visit the building where important decisions are taken and the country is run. The exhibits in the corridors and narratives besides them give an insight into the history. We visited on a weekday and there were quite many school groups. Entry is free. A visit is highly recommended!