Parliament House Canberra

Parliament House Canberra News and information about visiting, tours and events at Australia Parliament House.

Join an accessible tour of the private Parliament House courtyards during spring. Led by a friendly guide, this slow-pac...
02/09/2026

Join an accessible tour of the private Parliament House courtyards during spring.

Led by a friendly guide, this slow-paced tour is a rare opportunity to see beautiful blooming flowers in the private courtyards. You will see how sculptures, plant selections and colours make each courtyard unique, and learn about Parliament House's stunning landscape architecture and design.

Join us for an accessible tour on Friday 11 September or Friday 25 September 2026 at 11 am.

Book your spot: https://parliamenthouse.respax.com/public/aph/tourinformation/CYT-SPRING-ACCESSIBLE?site=APH&categoryId=11&tourDate=2026-09-11

Images: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services

01/09/2026

Today is National Wattle Day! Did you know we have beautiful Wattle Trees in our Native Gardens?

This September, join us to commemorate 125 years of Federation, attend a Senate lecture and tour the Parliament House Co...
31/08/2026

This September, join us to commemorate 125 years of Federation, attend a Senate lecture and tour the Parliament House Courtyards in full bloom.

- See our National Wattle Day illumination on September 1 💛
- Explore a new display marking 125 years of Federation from 7 September📍
- Celebrate the Australian National Flag's 125th anniversary at our free event on 10 September 🇦🇺
- Enjoy a special Federation degustation on 10 September 🍽️
- Limited-edition Footsteps to Federation Tours 👣
- Attend a Senate lecture on 11 September 📚
- Experience seasonal blooms on our Spring Courtyards Tours from 11 September 🌸

Images: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services

Art credit: Peter Taylor (1927–2019, designer and sculptor), Warren Langley (born 1950, glass artist), Anne Dybka (1922–2007, glass engraver), Nathan Munz (born 1948, glass manufacturer), Sergio Redegalli (born 1962, slumped glass artist), Senate Chamber Coat of Arms, 1984-1988, Art/Craft Program, Parliament House Art Collections

We’re celebrating National Wattle Day on 1 September by illuminating the façade of Australian Parliament House in green ...
28/08/2026

We’re celebrating National Wattle Day on 1 September by illuminating the façade of Australian Parliament House in green and gold.

This is a day to celebrate Australia’s national floral emblem which is a unifying symbol of Australian identity and features on our Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

Come and see the illumination at the Parliament House Forecourt from dusk.

Image: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services

If you’ve walked up or down the Marble Foyer staircases, you may have brushed past these sculptural details without even...
26/08/2026

If you’ve walked up or down the Marble Foyer staircases, you may have brushed past these sculptural details without even noticing.

The finials at the end of the Marble Foyer staircases were designed by Australian artist Ann Ferguson. Finials are decorative features typically placed at the top or end of an object, here they mark the end of the balustrades. Their design was inspired by the Parliament House Forecourt pool and mosaic, native plants and the staircases themselves.

The finials intentionally sit comfortably in your hand, encouraging you to touch them as you walk up or down.

The finials reflect the vision of architects Mitchell / Giurgola & Thorp (MGT) to celebrate Australian materials, design and craftsmanship throughout Parliament House. They're a subtle example of how meaning and symbolism is woven into the design of the building.

On your next visit, make sure you take a moment to explore the details all around you like the finials.

Images: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services

The gardens of Parliament House are awakening for spring, with colourful blooms and new growth transforming the private ...
24/08/2026

The gardens of Parliament House are awakening for spring, with colourful blooms and new growth transforming the private courtyards 🌷

From 11 September to 3 October 2026, you can come and explore the Parliament House courtyards. You will see the vibrant and fragrant flowers bring these spaces to life!

You can also join an accessible tour on 11 and 25 September 2026. These tours move at a slower, more relaxed pace, allowing time to pause and reflect in the quiet courtyards along the way.

Make your visit even more enjoyable by adding a refreshment package to your ticket. It includes a fresh scone baked by our in-house pastry chefs, served with a hot drink of your choice from the Queen’s Terrace Café.

Book now: https://parliamenthouse.respax.com/public/aph/tourinformation/CYT-SPRING?tourDate=2026-09-11

Images: AUSPIC, Department of Parliamentary Services and Hilary Wardhaugh

On this day in 1943, Dame Dorothy Tangney became the first woman elected to the Australian Senate. Later that same year,...
21/08/2026

On this day in 1943, Dame Dorothy Tangney became the first woman elected to the Australian Senate. Later that same year, Dame Enid Lyons became the first woman elected to the House of Representatives.

Parliament House continues to recognise their significant contributions to Australian democracy 83 years on.

In 2018, 2 spaces in Parliament House were formally renamed in their honour to mark 75 years of women in Australian Parliament. The Dame Dorothy Tangney Alcove is on the Senate side of the building and the Dame Enid Lyons Alcove is on the House of Representatives side. This reflects the Chambers where they served.

Today, these spaces are used for functions and events and act as a lasting reminder of the women who made history in Australia’s Parliament.

You can learn more about Dame Dorothy Tangney and Enid Lyons on our website: https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories/Australias_first_women_parliamentarians

Art credits: Archibald Douglas Colquhoun (1894-1983), ‘Dorothy Tangney’, 1946, Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collections; William Alexander Dargie (1912-2003), ‘Enid Lyons’, 1951, Historic Memorials Collection, Parliament House Art Collections

Commemorate 125 years of Federation with a 6-course degustation inspired by the spirit of the 1901 Federation Banquet in...
20/08/2026

Commemorate 125 years of Federation with a 6-course degustation inspired by the spirit of the 1901 Federation Banquet in Members' Hall.

Enjoy a carefully curated menu featuring native ingredients, seasonal produce and local truffles, reimagined through contemporary Australian cuisine.

Senator the Hon Sue Lines, President of the Senate, and the Hon Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives will host the event.

Elevate your evening by adding a curated selection of wines sourced from across Australia to perfectly pair with your meal.

Book now: https://events.humanitix.com/celebrating-125-years-of-federation-degustation-dinner

Images: Pew Pew Studio

In 1963, the Yolŋu people of Yirrkala on the Gove Peninsula in North-Eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory petit...
14/08/2026

In 1963, the Yolŋu people of Yirrkala on the Gove Peninsula in North-Eastern Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory petitioned the Australian Parliament.

Their petitions, now known as the Yirrkala Bark Petitions or Näku Dhäruk, combined bark paintings with text in Yolŋu Matha and English. They protested the government granting mining leases on their land which occurred without consultation.

These important documents asserted Yolŋu law and land title and were also gifts to share cultural knowledge. On this day in 1963, the first of these petitions were tabled in the House of Representatives. It was the first document of First Nations laws recognised in the Australian Parliament.

The presentation of the petitions was a significant milestone in the Aboriginal land rights movement and in the history of Australian parliamentary democracy.

See the Yirrkala Bark Petitions in person at Parliament House on Level 1.

Art credit: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the following contains the names of people who are deceased. Yolŋu people including signatories Milirrpum Marika, Djalalingba Yunupingu, Daymbalipu Mununggurr, Dhayila Mununggurr, Dundiwuy Wanambi, Dhuygala Mununggurr, Raiyini, Manunu Mununggurr, Larrakan Mununggirritj, Wally Wulanybuma, Wali Wunnunmurra and Nyabilingu Maymuru, 'Yirrkala Bark Petition 14 August 1963', 1963, Department of the House of Representatives.

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Parliament House
Canberra, ACT
2600

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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+61262775399

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