Some of Australia’s most significant heritage sites have been captured on iPod, giving exhibition visitors to the National Archives a richer cultural experience.

In conjunction with the Department of Environment and Water Resources (which administers the National Heritage List), the National Archives has created an iPod tour of a selection of items in its Memory of a Nation exhibition with links to heritage sites.

‘Our Memory of a Nation exhibition provides a snapshot of the National Archives’ diverse collection,’ said Ross Gibbs, Director-General of the National Archives.

‘With the new iPod tour, the objects on display give a window into the nation’s heritage. They can transport visitors to places on the Australian Government's National Heritage List, which recognises and protects our most valued heritage.’

In the Memory of a Nation exhibition, visitors can witness the heroic journeys of Douglas Mawson and Charles Kingsford Smith, the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and the brilliance of Marion Mahony and Walter Burley Griffin. They can also smile at a poster enticing the cricket-loving British to visit Australia for what became the infamous Bodyline series and admire the illuminated manuscript of the Duke of York’s address at the opening of Parliament House.

The items chosen for the first iPod tour all have a connection to the National Heritage List. Newman College in Melbourne (designed by the Griffins), Mawson’s Hut in Antarctica and Old Parliament House are all heritage listed items, as are the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Longreach Airfield, where the first Qantas plane is preserved. The Great Barrier Reef has been a World Heritage site since 1981.

The iPod tour transports users from the item to the history of the time, the heritage site and photographs which enhance understanding of the era.

The iPod tour was launched by the Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis and the Assistant Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, the Hon John Cobb this morning. The Department of Environment and Water Resources has funded the iPod project to give Australians greater access to the nation’s heritage.

Members of the Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra were also on hand to test drive the iPod tours.

Details of the iPod tour are also available online.