Old Parliament House

 18 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT 2600, Australia +61 2 6270 8222 Website 9am – 5pm Canberra Campervan Hire

girlguidemowing (contributor)

The Museum of Australian Democracy is located in the venerable old or provisional Parliament House, which housed our rowdy government for over 50 years.

The building was designed by John Smith Murdoch and a team of assistants, and intended to be a ‘provisional’ building, until a permanant building could be constructed. The design extended from the building to include its gardens, décor and furnishings. The building is in the Simplified or “Stripped” Classical Style, commonly used for Australian government buildings constructed in Canberra during the 1920s and 1930s.

The ‘Museum of Australian Democracy’ remembers the history of the building, with audio memories of significant moments in the history of the building provided in significant spaces. Members of the public can visit the old parliamentary chambers, ministerial and party room offices, even the bowels of the press room where journalists were packed into small spaces, but had be benefit of being cheek by jowl with the politicians.

hewnbaseball (contributor)

Unfortunately this magnificent attraction in under-going something of an identity crisis and for whatever reason seems to be trying to re-badge itself as the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House with an emphasis on the museum part. This identity crisis, I believe, stems from the move of the National Portrait section to its new permanent home at the newly built National Portrait Gallery in 2008.

I feel compelled to write a separate tip on The Museum of Australian Democracy component of this attraction simply to include it in the Tourist Traps section. See further details there.

That part out of the way Old Parliament House is a must see attraction and certainly one of my favorite buildings in the city.

Australia became a united federation in 1901 and on doing so a capital city was required. Rivalry then (as now) between Melbourne and Sydney meant that neither of these two main cities would be accepted as a capital. A number of alternative sites were considered and what was, without meaning to insult the original inhabitants and settlers, little more than an isolated sheep paddock was chosen and named Canberra.

The first Parliament of The Commonwealth of Australia met in Melbourne until a Parliament House (now Old Parliament House) was constructed in Canberra 1927. This building was only ever intended to be a temporary (Provisional) Parliament building pending construction of a permanent building by the lakeshore – as envisioned in the Walter Burley Griffin blueprint for Canberra. The lakeside idea was subsequently dropped in favour of a hill (Capital Hill) behind Old Parliament House – a story in itself which I will relate when I write about New Parliament House. Temporary, in fact, lasted until 1988 during which time the number of people working in this building increased to around 4000. It is hard to imagine how 4000 people (originally built to house 300) could have worked here as you walk around this rabbit warren of a building today.

The two-thirds of the building not given over to the Museum of Australian Democracy is pretty much as it would have been the day Parliament moved up the hill. Both Houses of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s suite, Cabinet room opposition leaders , speakers and numerous other offices and meeting rooms within the building are fully open to the public. A few items like the Prime Minister’s desk are roped off to protect them. Certainly nothing palatial about these offices – many of which are barely functional and most of which would certainly not meet current day occupational health and safety standards. Contrast this building with New Parliament House.

You will come across a few smaller, high quality, exhibitions including one on Australian Prime Ministers as you make your way around the building. Kings Hall, the rather grander entrance hall has an excellent display of paintings of Australian Prime Ministers together with an beautiful bronze statue of King George V who was monarch when the building was opened. King George V, then as Duke of York, represented his father King Edward VII at the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament on 9 May 1901 in Melbourne.

Downstairs you will find an exhibition of political cartoons which is now updated annually – Behind the Lines 2012. This section while clearly sanitised is still very entertaining though will be more appreciated by visitors with a sound knowledge of current Australian politics.

Fancy yourself as speaker for the day? If so when in the vicinity of the Speakers office keep your eye out for a large “speakers chair” and gown and wig. Put the gown and wig on and have a seat. Also when in the Prime Minister’s office look for the peep hole (which was actually used by staff to look in to see if the Prime Minister was available/ready to take guests, etc).

The building itself, designed by John Smith Murdoch is a classical almost art deco style, a style which I am generally not a fan but I make an exception for this building and its quite stunning white façade.

Old Parliament House hosts three eateries, The Ginger Room (high end) and two more modest offerings. All are recommended.

For reasons which I suspect I know, there is a nominal $2 entrance fee (children $1) to Old Parliament House. Interestingly this is the only Federal Government attraction in Canberra, which has an entrance fee.

Free 45 minute guided tours are offered at regular intervals. I encourage you to join one of these tours and listen to the stories of the goings on in this building over its 60 years of existence. Very high quality guides.

Open daily (except Christmas day)9am-5pm

Johncowardice15 (contributor)

Opened (finally) in 1927, Old Parliament House was known as the Provisional Parliament House as a temporary base, it was the seat of government until 1988.

It’s built in what is known as ‘stripped classical style’ – no columns, pediments etc of the classical bent, but incorporates the symmetry associated with neoclassicism. As a result of an intended temporary building, it isn’t built on a huge scale.

On 9 May 2009, Old Parliament House became the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House with the brief to encourage visitors to reflect on this history. Permanent exhibitions include Living Democracy: Australian Democracy: 2000+ Years in the Making: Prime Ministers of Australia. It will also host temporary exhibitions.

Open Daily (closed Christmas Day) 9am – 5pm
Admission Fees: $A2 adults, $A1 (kids and concessions), $A5 family

deskreyne (contributor)

Old Parliament House does not really looks like an old parliament house, more like a mansion. It is a white beauty which gives the most important axis of the capital city the romantic touch. It is located between the War Memorial and New Parliament House and is a heritage place of outstanding importance.

This building was planned as a provisional building that should serve for only 50 years, until a new house could be built. So the architect John Smith Murdoch chose the so-called “stripped classical” style, using simple geometric forms. Instead of looking grandiose it was modest and functional. But it still looked nice – and now, compared to newer buildings around, it looks like a little palace.

Construction began in August 1923 and took until May 1927 and cost about £600,000. It was inaugurated on 9 May by the Duke of York, the later King George VI, accompanied by the then Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.

Depite several extensions the building was already too small in the 1960s (no wonder, as it was designed to house 300 people but in fact had to cope with over 4000). But it had to serve 61 years until 1988 when the new building was ready for use.

It has nothing of the darkness of the new house. On contrary, it is filled with natural light, floating to the inside through big windows and skylights.

An interesting fact is that the original designer of Canberra, Walter Burley Griffin, had intended Parliament to be built on the lakeshore but this plan was dismissed.

Open daily (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm in winter and until 8pm in summer; admission $2. Free parking.

Old Parliament House also hosts Australia’s National Portrait Gallery and has a nice restaurant.

noxiousbadsey_tech (contributor)

This is one of the harmless lasting memories. My visit to Old Parliament House.

Yes, this visit started with a lot of fun. And you should have it, too. Fall into childish behaviour and have your camera ready 😉

Next to the entrance is a giant wooden chair, and on a coat hanger you find a black cloak and a white wig, so you can dress yourself up and have a seat, and feel like in the gold old days, or like an actor in an historic film. Everybody had fun like a child

And even more: It is totally legal to do so!

joeycray (contributor)

Not only Old Parliament House is a great place, also the surrounding gardens are well worth a visit, for a stroll around, a picnic, or just to relax. The gardens hold a special place in the hearts of many Australians. More than 5000 roses grow there, donated by people from throughout the country.

If you stand in front of the building – with New Parliament House behind you – walk to the left. There you will find Magna Carta Place. In the middle of the place is a monument which the British Government gifted to the people of Australia in 1997, marking the 700th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta by King Edward I.

Prime Minister John Howard unveiled the monument in 2000, prior to the centenary of the Australian Federation in 2001.

Beneath the foundation stone is a time capsule to be unearthed in 2101.

Magna Carta Place is located on a semicircular network of roads consisting of King George Terrace, Queen Victoria Terrace and Langton Crescent.

Of only four remaining copies of the Magna Carta in existence, one is on display in nearby Parliament House.

The gardens are open from 7am to 8pm in summer (daylight saving) and until 5pm only in winter (non-daylight saving).

boxercall (contributor)

When Parliament moved to Canberra in 1927, it opened in the ‘temporary’ building now known as Old Parliament House, which was used until 1988. This much-loved building has enormous character and now contains a museum and portrait gallery. It was built here, mid-point between Capital Hill and the lake, to allow space for a permanent Parliament House to be built at the lakeside (as set out in Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra), an idea later promoted by Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s Prime Minister in the 1950s and early 1960s, who envisaged the Queen arriving by Royal Barge to open Parliament by the lake.

There are many political stories relating to the old building which, because it was crowded, forced politicians, the media and the public into each other’s company. That led to political intrigues, backroom chatter and leaks of information, and general merriment. The heritage-listed building still has its 1920s furniture and you can sit in the old Parliamentary Chambers which were the scene of many fiery debates. Kids can hunt for clues, with the aid of their familes, and even can put on period costumes. If you are interested in gardens, look at the extensive rose gardens at the sides of the building. This has been a winner in several recent National tourism awards.

And the title for this tip? It comes from one of the more famous speeches in Australian politics, given on the front steps in 1975 when the Whitlam Government was dissolved by the Governor General – the Queen’s Man.

The building has a cafe and shop and is open daily 0900-1700, free guided tours are available (and recommended) and there are special displays. Entrance charges are $2A adults, $1A children/concession, $5A family.

maggiespooning (contributor)

When Australia’s Federal Government moved to Canberra in 1927, the Old Parliament House was its first home. Although the building was supposed to be a temporary structure, Parliament continued to sit here until the new Parliament House opened in 1988 on Capital Hill.
This site is worth a visit for the surrounding rose gardens alone (over 5,000 at last count) or you can take a step back into history, with guided tours, sometimes by ex-pollies, of the building and the intriguing sound and light presentation “Order! Order!”.
For recreation there are tennis courts, bowling green and a croquet court and a recent addition is the stunning new Centenary of Women’s Suffrage Fountain.
The Old Parliament House is also the part home of the National Portrait Gallery (the rest is at Commonwealth Place), where you can see many of Australia’s most famous faces, as depicted by many of Australia’s most famous artists. The vistas from the front looking back to the War Memorial and from the back looking up to the New Parliament House are equally impressive.
If you’re feeling peckish there’s the Cafe In The House where you can eat during the day or The Ginger Room is open for dinner.
open 9-5 daily

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