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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
A sepia photograph of a naval battle ship
7 Apr 2026

Australia's Naval Alliances: John Seymour and Hugh White

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 7 Apr 2026 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Open Air PlayUP
6–10 Apr 2026

Open Air PlayUP at the Museum of Australian Democracy

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House - Rose Gardens, Parkes
Next on 6 Apr 2026
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
Mangroves - Tales of the Tide exhbition space at Questacon
26 Dec 2025 – 1 May 2026

Mangroves: Tales from the Tide

Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, Parkes
Next on today from 9:00am to 5:00pm
illustration of layered australian banknotes
9–16 Apr 2026

Money, money, money: school holiday program

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 9 Apr 2026 from 10:15am to 11:30am
paper bilby and screen printing
11 Apr 2026

Canberra Made Series - Megalo Print Studio X Egg Picnic -Fauna Fun - Kid's Screen Printing Workshop

Canberra and Region Visitors Centre, Parkes
Next on 11 Apr 2026 from 10:00am to 12:30pm
Image taken of the outside of the venue

The Marion

Parkes, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Bill Onus teaches the Republic of Korea’s Junior Red Cross Deputy Director how to throw a boomerang,

'In real life' exhibition gallery talk

by Guided Tours at National Archives of Australia

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

Treasures Gallery Exhibition

Parkes, ACT
Photo of a group of people sitting in a gallery listening to someone talk
6 Feb – 27 Nov 2026

Friday Art Talks

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on 10 Apr 2026 from 12:00pm to 12:45pm
Black and white photographs of demonstrations and protest
21 Apr – 10 Sep 2026

Skirt-suits and suffragists

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 21 Apr 2026 from 10:00am to 11:00am
Shelves of books in a library
20 May 2026

12 years in: Writing for the Future Library

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 20 May 2026 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
all the food

Catbird

Parkes, ACT
Between $20 and $30
A piece of the collection. Howard's distinctive Tracksuit

John Howard Prime Ministerial Library (UNSW Canberra)

Parkes, ACT
Connections Exhibition

Connections / Mura Gadi: Archives, People, and Places

Parkes, ACT
The Little Burley Market
2 May 2026

The Autumn Art Fair at The Little Burley Markets

The Little Burley Market, Parkes
Next on 2 May 2026
Free Craft
11–19 Apr 2026

Free Craft Activities at the Museum of Australian Democracy

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House - Rose Gardens, Parkes
Next on 11 Apr 2026 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
A woman holding a book with a yellow cover, standing in front of some wall tapestries
29 Apr 2026

Learn with the curators of Wangka Wakanutja

Online, Parkes
Next on 29 Apr 2026 from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
The front of a cafe register.

Paperplate cafe at the National Library of Australia

Parkes, ACT
Under $20
Voices / Dhuniai exhibition gallery

Voices / Dhuniai: Federation, Democracy and the Constitution

Parkes, ACT
A photograph over the shoulder of an elderly person drawing gum leaves from real ones on the table
6 Feb – 19 Jun 2026

Art and Dementia: At the Gallery

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on 17 Apr 2026 from 10:30am to 12:00pm
Photograph of historic East Block building, home to National Archives of Australa in Canberra.
11 Apr – 10 May 2026

100 years of historic East Block building

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 11 Apr 2026 from 11:00am to 12:00pm
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