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Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula, Canberra, 2601, Australia
View on Google MapsNational Museum of Australia is a fascinating place and I highly recommend a visit. We started with the architecture tour. The building is a postmodern gem. It is modern but so in all of Canberra. Our guide, Lester, was informative and enthusiastic. It was only an hour long which left lots of time to see the rest of the museum. The first people's gallery is an absolute essential. We didn't do the guided tour but we spent a lot of time walking through, learning about Aboriginal people ancient and modern. The other must do, is the VR tour of the Great Kimberley Wilderness. An immersive trip through the most spectacular, ancient unspoiled landscape.
Having the Aboriginal symbolism of much of the architecture and landscaping pointed out. Bernie was a very personable and informative guide.
I have a better understanding of the ideas behind the design, e.g. linking the buildings to the landscape, the layering of stories, the incorporation of other significant buildings design features, the representation of the rainbow serpent in the sculptural loop, the incorporation of new axes projecting towards Parliament house and the red heart of the country. Anthony was an engaging and knowledgeable guide, the tour was very good value, I particularly appreciated the book "Building the National Museum of Australia" that was included.
A$20
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Wheelchair accessible, Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, Service animals allowed, Public transportation options are available nearby, Transportation options are wheelchair accessible, All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Children must be accompanied by an adult, Present your either printed or electronic voucher (e-vouchers) with photo ID to matching the booking name in exchange for your activity. Without proof of purchase and photo ID, the Museum reserves the right to charge visitors for the cost of the tour per person., On arrival proceed to the Information Hub to redeem your voucher, Wheelchairs, prams and motorised scooters are available for hire from the Information Desk
This was an interesting introduction to the architecture and symbolic meaning of the National Museum, including some of the galleries and indigenous exhibits. I had not been to the Museum before, and this tour enhanced my visit.
The tour guide did the best he could to explain the oddities of the building. To me, it seemed like the architecture was going to extremes to try to embody worthwhile meaning in odd, meaningless ways. For example, to symbolize the coming together or peoples/cultures, picture a knot of ropes. Then picture a cloth dropped over the top of the knot. The roof of the building has the contours of that cloth. But... is a knot a good representation of people coming together? And, what meaning does it add to drop a cloth over the knot? Sometimes, when symbolism is explained, a person says, "now I get it". All I could say was "what? "why?". The museum, itself, had some interesting displays... some just for the purposes of nostalgia, but some provding a real history of people/places/events.
Excellent guided tour through the architecture of the building -thanks, Lester. Came away with an enhanced understanding of the First Nations story. Enjoyed the landscaping using Australian plants.
Australia is a land of great diversity and a national museum should reflect that diversity. The National Museum has many aspects, the First Australians feature prominantly, as they should. The discovery of the Great Southern Land is treated appropriately. The galvanised iron windmills are an icon of the Bush, no national Australian museum could ignore them. My favouite exhibition was the visiting exhibition: Ancient Greece the Greek : athletes, seamen, warriors and scholars helped shape the Western world
One of the best tours ever! Got so much out of it. Essential pre museum entry! Ross our guide was fabulous
A wonderful tour of a fantastic building giving rise to an understanding of the extensive symbolism of the building including; The Braille dots, the maps, blue poles, the suburbia swimming pool, the obscured Sorry message, the Boolean Knot as source of architectural inspiration for the internal entry space and the metal posts representing the dingo fence. Do not miss this treat, so that you have an insight into this amazing building. The building is also a photographers paradise.
Good tur. One hour. In English. There's a lot symbolism in the structure to understand Australian history.
