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Tours at The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)
Things To Do Parkes, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Cultural and Theme Tours
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD) is a living museum of social and political history. Located in a nationally significant heritage-listed building, MoAD’s exhibitions, historic rooms, guided tours and family activities invite you to consider the past, present and future of our democracy and why it matters.
Services
Hear stories of the people and events that shaped Australian democracy in the very place it happened.
This tour takes you through some of the building’s most important spaces and uncovers fascinating stories about its occupants.
Take a seat in the leather chairs of the Senate Chamber and wonder who might have sat in this seat before you. See the office where three prime ministers have worked. Find out why there’s a barber’s chair in the building and the story behind all the clocks.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family Friendly Pet Friendly - EnquireThis tour showcases the achievements of Joan Child, the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives.
When Joan Child was elected in 1986 to become the Speaker of the House, the words ‘Madam Speaker’ were spoken for the very first time in Australian Parliament, replacing ‘Mister Speaker’, immediately earning her a unique place in Australian history. What else did Child accomplish in this history-making role?
On this tour discover the remarkable achievements of Madam Speaker and visit the Speaker’s Suite, where she and her staff worked and hosted VIPs in style in the Suite’s dining room.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family Friendly$10
Hear stories about Ben Chifley’s time in office and visit the rooms he worked in.
Discover how Australia’s 16th prime minister Ben Chifley came to power and how his leadership shaped the development of Canberra and Australia. See what Chifley’s office looked like in the 1940s and hear why he often took down butcher shop orders while in office.
Self-guided walking trail
After your tour, complete the experience with a 10-minute self-guided walk along Chifley’s daily route between Old Parliament House and his Canberra home at Hotel Kurrajong. Trace Chifley’s steps along King George Terrace, Walpole Crescent and National Circuit.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family FriendlyExplore Old Parliament House and uncover fascinating stories about its occupants.
Join this Auslan-interpreted tour of Old Parliament House and hear stories of the people and events that shaped Australian democracy in the very place it happened. Take a seat in the leather chairs of the Senate Chamber and wonder who might have sat in this seat before you. See the office where three prime ministers have worked. Find out why there’s a barber’s chair in the building and the story behind all the clocks.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family Friendly$120
Old Parliament House was listed by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the 35 most haunted buildings in the world.
Join us for this special after-hours interactive experience, where you will gather evidence and decide for yourself whether Old Parliament House is an old haunted house.
Equipped with ghost-hunting tools, you will be taken through the heritage rooms, corridors and exhibitions after dark, taking part in old-fashioned spirit communication and modern ghost hunting techniques as you attempt to get in touch with those who have walked these halls in the past.
Do you dare?
Disabled Access
CarparkFrom $60 to $360
Learn about the Wiradjuri elders who travelled 150km to attend the opening of Old Parliament House. Hear about the activists who campaigned for a voice in Federal Parliament and the accomplishments of Neville Bonner, the first Aboriginal Australian to be elected to parliament.
Visit heritage spaces including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Senate Chamber and learn about the contributions of activists like Wenten Rubuntja, Charlie Perkins and Faith Bandler.
First Nations people should be aware that this tour includes names and images of deceased people.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family FriendlyThis tour introduces you to the building that was home to Federal Parliament for 61 years. Your guide will show you miniatures of Old Parliament House and explain the changes to the building over the decades. Discover the touches that cement this building as an icon of Australian architecture, all in a ‘provisional’ parliament built in the middle of a sheep paddock.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family FriendlyDiscover how Old Parliament House became a home: comfortable furniture, stylish dining rooms and even a hairdresser.
When Old Parliament House first opened in 1927, not only was it our first purpose-built parliament, but also a home away from home for many of the politicians and staff who travelled to Canberra for work.
Looking at the objects and furniture on display in the Furnished exhibition space, this tour will explore the ways that these workers experienced some home comforts in the building.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family Friendly$79
Join Tim on this special after-dark tour, snooping around the spaces of Old Parliament House, as he reveals secrets about the building and its past occupants.
Tim will also shine a torchlight on the close links between Old Parliament House and nearby historic buildings in the Parliamentary Triangle.
Creep through the corridors at night and discover which legendary parliamentary stories are true, and which should be left in the dark. It’s Old Parliament House like you’ve never seen it before.
Disabled Access
CarparkThe story of an extraordinary political moment and how it unfolded.
After 50 years, the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government on 11 November 1975 remains a distinctive event in Australia’s political history. Join us as we take you through the events leading up to one of the most historic days at Old Parliament House.
Additional tours will be offered on 11 November.
Disabled Access
Carpark Family Friendly
