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Back outside, the Formal Gardens are east of the main building. This is a small, tranquil green space, with flowers in warmer seasons, artwork, and the Bali Memorial. Here, or Queens Terrace, or the Parliament House roof, the lower slopes up the sides of Parliament House, or Federation Mall are nice places to take a breather. To explore the grounds further, feel free to walk (or ride) along tracks (within Capital Circle) both east and west of Parliament House in cool shade. Find the entrances along the corners of Parliament Drive. Another shady track runs along the base of Capital Hill (between Capital Circle and State Circle). Find this track midway down the access road to Kings Avenue, on the right side, and proceed clockwise. You can exit the track at any point along the length, and the other end is close to Surveyors Park. If in Canberra when Floriade is held, there are additional tours of the Parliament House gardens.
This vast building is the home of Australia's highest court and contains a vast lobby and three main courtrooms that are open to the public. Tours are available, though restricted when the court is sitting. The building also has a cafeteria. As a matter of etiquette, when you enter or leave a courtroom in session, remember to bow.
A lakeside installation along the southern edge of Lake Burley Griffin featuring 110 flags. The display represents the United Nations, the European Union, and individual nations that maintain an official diplomatic mission or embassy within the national capital. The flagpoles are fully illuminated at night.
The renovated National Archives building has excellent public galleries. It has two permanent exhibitions and holds others from time to time. The staff are most helpful if you have a personal archival query
This modern structure is one of the country's largest, and best, art galleries. It has a vast collection of paintings and sculptures collected from Australia and the rest of the world and has excellent Aboriginal artwork. A nice gift store and a large bookstore on the upper level. Free except for special exhibits. The Gallery offers free public one-hour tours: Australian and International art at 11AM and 2PM daily, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at 11AM on Thursdays and Sundays. Allow at least half a day and possibly more.
There are two sections of the sculpture garden, one section in front of the building and the other section at the rear. Both sections are open 24 hours a day and fun to wander around in the evening. The Ouroboros sculpture added to the collection in 2024 is an ethereal, other worldly presence in the Canberra evening.
The library is primarily a research centre, but houses a permanent display of historically significant items as well as temporary exhibitions showing parts of the collection. It's an accessible space, entirely comfortable for anyone to visit. Also notable for its neo-classical architecture.
The Gallery opened to the public on the 4 December 2008, and displays some 400 portraits of people who have shaped and who continue to shape the nation. There are gallery spaces for the collection and temporary exhibitions, public areas including a café, shop, function room, theatrette, education and school group areas, and basement car parking. Portraits are in various media, depending on the era. Galleries are themed by era. The web site gives a good idea of the content.