The Small Things of Canberra
Updated 29 Sep 2026
Australia is famed for celebrating the ‘big’ things.
But for Canberra, the little place with a lot of space, there’s a celebration of the tiny, the miniscule, and the unique that shares a lot of joy in a small package.
Read on for Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey, curators of RELICS: A New World Rises (19 September 2026 – 31 January 2027) guide to the small things of Canberra.
Cockington Green
“We’re lovers of intricate miniature worlds – it’s what we’ve based RELICS on – so when we heard there was a whole model village waiting for us in Canberra, we were so excited to see what awaits. The stories in each of the vignettes at Cockington Green are playful and interwoven in a way that beckons you to look closer, hypothesise about the scene laying before you, and marvel at the artistry and engineering behind the scaled models.
The miniature steam train ride gives you a vantage across the worlds created, with surprises around each corner. There’s unexpected humour in their creations, much like what we set out to achieve with RELICS.”
Gallery of Small Things
“When we pulled up at Gallery of Small Things we had to check twice. Were we in the right place? On this quiet suburban street, Anne has created a small world of her own. From the quiet of her backyard, she’s assembled a rotating display of artworks spanning multiple mediums – all at a condensed size to accommodate the wall space in her gallery space that once existed as a laundry.
We love thinking about the potential of spaces and objects, and seeing what Anne has done – bringing art for public consumption to the backyard of her home – is just the creativity we love to see.”
Brodburger at Capital Brewing Co
“After a morning of stretching our legs and taking in the sights, we decided to fuel up. Sustainability is one of the themes at the heart of RELICS, so we were excited to learn that Canberra’s very own B-Corp brewery Capital Brewing also had a popular burger joint Brodburger onsite, that offered veggie burgers.
In keeping with the ‘small’ theme of our stay, we opted for the ‘baby’ version of the Brodburgers, and a tasting paddle featuring four different beers. This ‘small’ meal packed a punch, and we could easily see ourselves whiling away an afternoon in their garden in the sunshine.”
Bonsai and Penjing Collection, National Arboretum Canberra
“Onto a different sort of collection to that which we usually see in the museums and galleries we visit. The National Bonsai and Penjing Collection at the National Arboretum Canberrais truly unlike other collections. We found ourselves in awe of the beauty of nature captured in these miniature trees, and the intentionality and stories that is woven throughout their bows.
The curators tending to the trees were more than happy to share their stories and expert knowledge while they went about their work of pruning, watering and moving displays. The storytelling that sits behind each of these living works of art, was fascinating and will stay with us for a long time. We play with layered narratives in RELICS, and it was really interesting seeing this approach adopted in a completely different artform.”
High Tea at Space Kitchen
“Capping off our small stay in a big day, we ventured out to Space Kitchen. We’d heard tales of the inventiveness of Ricardo and his team, and couldn’t wait to see it with our own eyes… and taste it too.
While the Magical Afternoon Tea technically met the brief of ‘small’ with its miniature sweet and savoury portions, the total serving was anything but. A ‘bomb’ was ignited via a sparkler, a psychedelic mushroom laced with strawberry cream and passionfruit curd was sampled, and the biggest challenge that presented us was how to fit it all onto the tables and then our stomachs. Chocolate soil, a fairy floss tree, and a custard river all created a magical scene that satiated our eyes and appetites.
To see this creativity in action, with hidden surprises and intricate details, was a joy to behold. Just like RELICS, this is a place that invites visitors to slow down, look closer and rediscover the joy of curiosity and imagination.”
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About the author
Jackson Harvey and Alex Towler are LEGO ® Masters winners, and the curators of RELICS: A New World Rises. A love of Lego and a fondness for nostalgia, this pair create magic in miniature, able to be enjoyed by those aged 0-99.