Exhibitions

View exhibitions and displays currently showing at the National Archives in Canberra and venues around Australia. Find out more about our past exhibitions.

  • The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize™ 2013

    Matthew Curtis, Diatom Pair.
    Matthew Curtis, Diatom Pair, cast, blown and carved glass.

    The science of nature expressed through art

    Enjoy the science of nature expressed through art, with the winning and highly commended works from the 2013 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize (formerly the Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize).

    Free exhibition, open daily 9am–5pm

    More information about The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize™ 2013 Hyperlink logo

    20 September 2013 to 10 November 2013

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Banned

    Banned Logo

    The National Archives in Canberra has updated its café with a new display on banned books. Read about the secret history of Australian censorship as you sip your coffee.

    More information about Banned Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra

    read caption for description
    A game of bowls at Hotel Canberra, 1926.  
    (NAA: A3560, 2691)

    Discovering Mildenhall's Canberra is an display of photographs capturing the construction of the national capital.

    More information about Discovering Mildenhall’s Canberra Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Memory of a Nation

    Students from Launceston Church Grammar School explore Memory of a Nation at the National Archives in Canberra

    Discover the events and the people – both ordinary and extraordinary – who have shaped this nation. Regularly updated to include new exhibits and interactives.

    More information about Memory of a Nation Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice

    Photograph showing the original grave and marker of Private John Henderson in Belgium
    Original grave and marker (NAA: B2455, Henderson J 2383)

    Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice explores how the nation dealt with the lingering effects of World War I over the next 20 years.

    More information about Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice Hyperlink logo

    30 August 2013 to 19 January 2014

    Qantas Founders Museum 
    Longreach Airport 
    Sir Hudson Fysh Drive 
    Longreach QLD 4730

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    30 August 2013
    Closes:
    19 January 2014
    Location:

    Qantas Founders Museum
    Longreach Airport
    Sir Hudson Fysh Drive
    Longreach QLD 4730

Federation Gallery

Special viewing dates

Our Federation Gallery contains some of Australia's most significant documents – those that record the founding of the Commonwealth of Australia. We like to refer to these as the 'birth certificates' of our nation.

The seven items in the gallery include the original Constitution Act passed by the British Parliament and the Royal Commission of Assent signed by Queen Victoria on 9 July 1900. They also include documents that record later changes to Australia's Constitution.

The National Archives is committed to ensuring the future survival of this material as well as encouraging and facilitating Australians' access to the documents.

New preservation research techniques measure the impact of light on documents. We balance the documents' future conservation needs with the public's right to access. We now open the gallery for special public viewing days, and for group and school bookings.

Special viewing:

  • No current viewing dates. 

Our staff will be on hand to show you the documents.

Copyright National Archives of Australia 2013