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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
Canberra Day
9 Mar 2026

Canberra Day 2026

Commonwealth Park, Parkes
Next on 9 Mar 2026
Artist Lindy Lee's black and white family photo with burnt holes on the print
6 Aug 2025 – 28 Jan 2026

Lindy Lee

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on tomorrow
A winery, shows a vine and a sign pointing which way to go
16 Oct 2025

RIEDEL Riesling Masterclass

Hotel Realm, High Courtyard North, Barton
Next on 16 Oct 2025 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Flag of Argentina

Argentina, Embassy of

Barton, ACT
Two people walk up the steps of Old Parliament House

Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House

Parkes, ACT
A landscape painting of art studio with large windows and a sea view
31 May – 21 Sep 2025

Cézanne to Giacometti: Highlights from Museum Berggruen / Neue Nationalgalerie

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on today
Crowd sitting in front of screen for Lights! Canberra! Action!
6 Mar 2026

Lights! Canberra! Action! 2026

Senate Rose Garden, Parkes
Next on 6 Mar 2026
Floriade High Tea
12 Sep – 11 Oct 2025

Floriade at Chifley's High Tea

Chifley's Bar & Grill, Barton
Next on 12 Sep 2025 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Floriade flower boxes with photo frame
13 Sep – 12 Oct 2025

Science Around You - Floriade

Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes
Next on 13 Sep 2025
East Block entrance

Spies, Stories And Spaces: Tour Of Historic East Block

by Guided Tours at National Archives of Australia

Parkes, ACT
Two first nations elders in sitting in country near Amaroona at sunset with hand carved spears
6 Aug 2025 – 29 Mar 2026

Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa

National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on tomorrow
Hoodoo Gurus at Stage 88 Canberra for Symphony in the Park
8 Mar 2026

Symphony in the Park 2026

Commonwealth Park, Parkes
Next on 8 Mar 2026
Gamilaraay musician Thelma Plum, wearing a coral-coloured feather coat, kneels on Wilyakali Country.
16 Aug – 12 Oct 2025

National Photographic Portrait Prize

National Portrait Gallery, Parkes
Next on tomorrow from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Participants crossing the start line
10–12 Apr 2026

The Canberra Times Marathon Festival

John Dunmore Lang Place, Parkes
Next on 10 Apr 2026 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm
NAA: A1500, K17000

National Triangle gems: National Archives to High Court walking tour

by Guided Tours at National Archives of Australia

Parkes, ACT
The Australian String Quartet
19 Oct 2025

Convergence

Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes
Next on 19 Oct 2025 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
NAA: A1200, L26438
12 Feb – 17 Dec 2025

Murrulangalang storytime

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on tomorrow from 10:15am to 11:00am
apua New Guinea Independence Day celebration in 1975
13 Sep 2025

Celebrating 50 years of Papua New Guinea's independence

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 13 Sep 2025 from 9:30am to 12:00pm
Image taken of the outside of the venue

The Marion

Parkes, ACT
Between $20 and $30
Black and white photograph of a women's rights protest

Skirt-suits and Suffragettes

by Guided Tours at National Archives of Australia

Parkes, ACT
A line up of local Canberra wines.
25 Jan – 20 Dec 2025

Canberra Cellar Door - pop up wine tasting

Canberra and Region Visitors' Centre, Parkes
Next on 13 Sep 2025 from 11:00am to 3:00pm
People gathered around a work of art

Collection Tours

by National Gallery of Australia Tours

Parkes, ACT
Coloured photograph of the High Court of Australia building
29 Aug – 27 Nov 2025

National Triangle gems – Walking tour from National Archives to High Court

National Archives of Australia, Parkes
Next on 27 Nov 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
A sepia photograph of Kim Beazley and Caspar Weinberger
17 Sep 2025

Defending Australian Territory with Dr Andrew Carr at the National Library

National Library of Australia, Parkes
Next on 17 Sep 2025 from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
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