HomeOur Neighbourhoods > Inner South > Barton and Parkes
A woman in a black blazer walking between indigenous memorial poles.

Barton and Parkes

Parkes is home to the National Triangle and many of Australia's iconic museums and galleries. These cultural icons offer intriguing and ever-changing experiences, each sharing and holding the stories of Australia. Barton is fast becoming a foodie hotspot and wellness hub with day spas and wine bars.

Highlights of the area

Best museums and galleries in Australia

Enjoy short walks between many cultural attractions as you delve into exhibitions dedicated to art, history and science.

Stylish spas and eateries

From fine-dining restaurants to your choice of day spas, this leafy precinct is a great spot to relax and recharge.

Great tours on offer

Choose between Segway tours near Lake Burley Griffin and behind the scenes looks at national attractions.

LEGO Senate Chamber
Featured

Australian Parliament House

Watch democracy in action on a visit to Australian Parliament House. A range of free guided tours are offered including Yeribee, an Indigenous themed tour, to art and architecture tours of this impressive ‘mini city’.

Enjoy high tea at Queen's Terrace Cafe before you have a chuckle at the Lego model of Parliament House which features many humorous references to the building's history. While tickets are free, bookings are essential for all visits.

Australian Parliament House
Arbor in the centre of the Ladies Garden

Old Parliament House Gardens

TripAdvisor rating49 reviews
Parkes, ACT
National Workers Memorial in Kings Park

National Workers Memorial

TripAdvisor rating43 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Girl on a moving bridge in the Boundless Playground

Boundless Playground

TripAdvisor rating19 reviews
Parkes, ACT
A dimly lit restaurant interior

Louis Dining

TripAdvisor rating18 reviews
Barton, ACT
Not specified
Canberra Contemporary exterior

Canberra Contemporary

TripAdvisor rating7 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Family taking the Australian of the Year Walk. Photo by Jinkyart

Australians of the Year Walk

TripAdvisor rating7 reviews
Parkes, ACT
towards National Library

Reconciliation Place

TripAdvisor rating7 reviews
Parkes, ACT
sunset on Lake Burley Griffin at The Jetty Canberra

The Jetty

TripAdvisor rating6 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Not specified
The Bible Garden

The Bible Garden

TripAdvisor rating2 reviews
Barton, ACT
The front glass doors of a cafe. There are stained glass windows on the back wall of the cafe.

Bookplate cafe at the National Library of Australia

TripAdvisor rating381 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Chifley’s Bar & Grill

Chifley's Bar and Grill

TripAdvisor rating239 reviews
Barton, ACT
Over $30
Three glass oil bottles on jute fabric and a sprig of palm leaf to the left

mudd The Spa

TripAdvisor rating55 reviews
Barton, ACT
Fenceline posts Blundells Cottage

Blundells Cottage

TripAdvisor rating29 reviews
Parkes, ACT
Historic black and white image of Old Parliament House

History of Old Parliament House

by Tours at The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House (MoAD)

Parkes, ACT
Vibrant large-scale tapestries
20 Jun – 18 Oct 2026

Arthur Boyd: tapestries

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 5:00pm
A smiling woman in a floral shirt sits at a desk, holding open a large historical map.
24 Sep 2026

Histories of cyclones in Australia with Dr Margaret Cook

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 24 Sep 2026 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
A close up of a quiltyed textile artwork showing a womans face with a yellow halo behind her head
11 Nov 2026

Very Cross Stitch Workshop

Canberra Contemporary, Parkes
Next on 11 Nov 2026 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm
all the food

Catbird Canberra

Parkes, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Voices / Dhuniai: Federation, democracy and the Constitution’ exhibition gallery

Lifting the lid

by Guided Tours at National Archives of Australia

Parkes, ACT
Inside view of store

The Curatoreum - National Portrait Gallery

Parkes, ACT
A man, woman and young girl in the Treasures Gallery at the National Library of Australia

Treasures Gallery Exhibition

Parkes, ACT
black & white image of a banged-up car speeding past with passengers and one man on the car roof
5 Dec 2026 – 11 Apr 2027

Full Throttle

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on 5 Dec 2026 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
A smiling woman with curly brown hair and large brown earrings, wearing a black jacket.
30 Sep 2026

School holiday activity: Connecting to Country through art

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 30 Sep 2026 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
People in colorful winter gear stand on a vast icy plain, facing a large orange icebreaker ship.
10 Oct 2026

Antarctica: Journeys on the ice

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 10 Oct 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am
Page 2 of 5
    Filter by
    Loading results

    Continue exploring the inner south

    Artwork on display at Canberra Glassworks.

    Kingston and foreshore

    Giants fans cheering at Manuka Oval

    Manuka and Griffith

    People browsing through the Designer Op Shop Emporium

    Fyshwick and surrounds