The National Library of Australia is the country’s national library, but its public floors work much like a museum. The Treasures Gallery holds highlights from the physical and digital collection, and a separate Exhibition Gallery hosts changing shows; the current one, Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre, runs into early 2027. Exhibitions often include family labels written to help children follow along, and the Main Reading Room keeps a small selection of children’s books, with reading room staff on hand to point you to them. Large bags, coats and umbrellas can go into self-service lockers before you head in. Of the two cafés, only Bookplate opens at weekends.
Museum
National Library of Australia
Australia's national library in Canberra, where the Treasures Gallery shows highlights from the collection and exhibitions often carry family labels for children.
Typical visit
Ages
Booking
Opening hours
The building opens Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm, Friday 8am-5pm, weekends and public holidays 9am-5pm; closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Galleries
The Treasures Gallery and the Exhibition Gallery are both open daily 9am-5pm, including public holidays; the Treasures Gallery closes on Good Friday and Christmas Day.
Main Reading Room
Open Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1:30pm-5pm, and closed on public holidays.
Food
Bookplate café is open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm and 9am-4pm at weekends and on public holidays; Paperplate opens Monday-Friday 9am-3pm only.
Lockers
Free self-service lockers on Lower Ground 1 take large bags, coats and umbrellas.
Family event
The Canberra Writers Festival runs here on Friday 16 October 2026, 4pm-7:30pm, with kids and family events on the programme.
Exhibition
Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre is on until 31 January 2027.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT
Family Intelligence
Why kids will love it
It is an indoor stop in Canberra where children can see highlights from the national collection, with family labels to guide them through many exhibitions. The trade-off: this is a library first, and the children’s offer is a small selection of books plus labels that appear in many, though not all, exhibitions.
Plan your visit
Where: View on map
Also compare: National Library of Australia tickets on Tiqets (affiliate link)
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