Old Parliament House
Where Australian democracy was shaped from 1927 to 1988
On the lands of the Ngunnawal people.
The white heritage building on King George Terrace that served as the seat of the Australian Parliament from 1927 to 1988. Now home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, it preserves the original chambers, Prime Minister's office and King's Hall where some of the most significant events in Australian political history took place.
Old Parliament House was opened on 9 May 1927 by the Duke of York (later King George VI) and served as the working parliament of Australia for 61 years. It was always intended as a temporary building while the permanent parliament was designed and constructed, but the temporary arrangement lasted six decades before politicians finally moved up the hill to the new Parliament House in 1988.
The building sits on the parliamentary axis between Lake Burley Griffin and the new Parliament House, exactly as Walter Burley Griffin planned. It is a symmetrical design in the Inter-War Stripped Classical style, with the House of Representatives on one side, the Senate on the other, and the central King's Hall connecting them. The original chambers, desks, green and red leather seating and division lobbies are preserved and open to visitors.
The Museum of Australian Democracy now occupies the building and runs permanent and temporary exhibitions about the story of Australian democracy, from federation in 1901 to the present day. Highlights include the original Prime Minister's suite (used by every PM from Stanley Bruce to Bob Hawke), the press gallery and the non-members bar where much of the real business of government was done over drinks.
The forecourt of Old Parliament House was the site of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, established in 1972 and still maintained today as the longest-running political protest camp in the world. It is a significant cultural site and is listed on the National Heritage List. The rose gardens on either side of the building are maintained by volunteers and are a pleasant spot for a walk after visiting the museum.
Where to stay
Holiday parks near Old Parliament House.
2 options via our booking partner
Canberra Holiday Village
4.6km away
Eaglehawk Holiday Park Canberra
13.2km away
Bookings handled by our partner Parkbooker. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Attribution
Sources & credits
Content
- Background text summarised from Wikipedia: Old Parliament House , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images (3)
- Canberra (AU), Old Parliament House -- 2019 -- 1744.jpg · Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Canberra (AU), Old Parliament House -- 2019 -- 1788.jpg · Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Canberra (AU), Old Parliament House -- 2019 -- 1791.jpg · Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
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