Parliament House was founded in 1988 to a design by the architect Romaldo Giurgola, and it is both a parliament building and an art museum. Visiting hours follow the parliamentary calendar, so they differ between sitting weeks and non-sitting weeks. For families, the 45-minute How Parliament Works Family Tour runs only on weekends and school holidays; the 25-minute Heart of the House Tour runs daily, and a Sensory-Friendly Tour is held on the first Sunday of the month. To watch House of Representatives Question Time, book online, by phone or by email before bookings close at 12.15 pm on the day; Senate Question Time needs no booking. The trade-off is that this is a busy, noisy working Parliament, with division bells ringing through the building. Visitors may bring noise-cancelling headphones, and staff can help you find a quieter space. A limited number of strollers can be borrowed free from the Information Desk in the Marble Foyer, which takes a name and mobile number rather than ID. Inside, the floors change between polished stone, timber and high-pile carpet.
Museum
Parliament House
Australia's working Parliament in Canberra is open to visitors, with a family tour on weekends and school holidays and a family-friendly café inside the building.
Typical visit
Ages
Booking
Open days
Open every day except Christmas Day.
Question Time
Collect House of Representatives Question Time tickets from 12.45 pm to 1.30 pm at the Cloak Room on the first floor, and be seated by 2.00 pm to keep your seat.
Security
Every visitor goes through airport-style security screening at the entrance, so allow time for it.
Café
The family-friendly Queen's Terrace Café is on Level 1, to the left of the main front public entrance.
Café hours
Queen's Terrace Café is open 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day except Christmas Day.
Baby changing
Every accessible bathroom in the building has a baby change table.
Getting there
The public entrance is about 200 metres from each bus stop, across a Forecourt that is largely gravel.
Wheelchair loan
Borrow a wheelchair free of charge from the Information Desk in the Marble Foyer.
OUR FAMILY ASSESSMENT
Family Intelligence
Why kids will love it
Children get to walk through a Parliament that is actually at work, with a family tour on weekends and school holidays that explains how it runs, and an art collection under the same roof.
Plan your visit
Where: View on map
Also compare: Parliament House tickets on Tiqets (affiliate link)
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