December 12th, 2011 
Tushar Mathur Canberra is the Capital of Australia, so you can expect to find at least one museum there. What may be more unexpected, though, is the number and diversity of museums you can find in Canberra. Sure, you’ll find a museum or two devoted to the history of Australia since colonisation, but a dinosaur museum? These are just a few of the best and most interesting museums and galleries in Canberra.
National Dinosaur Museum
The National Dinosaur Museum opened its doors in 1993. At the time, it housed a fairly modest number of exhibits, but has grown over the years into “mammoth” proportions. There are now 22 complete dinosaurs skeletons in the museum, over 300 fossils and innumerable graphic representations of dinosaurs on exhibit. The curators of the National Dinosaur Museum are well aware that school children are their most enthusiastic visitors and organize tours and activities to keep children entertained at the same time they are being educated. These include puppet shows and even birthday parties. A walk through the National Dinosaur is a walk back in time from the beginnings of life on earth through to the end of the great age of the dinosaurs.
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia opened its doors in 1982 and has already been enlarged and revamped. The “new look” gallery was unveiled in 2010. A striking example of modern architecture, it is located on the south shore of Lake Burley Griffith in what is known as the “parliamentary triangle.” The collection of Australian art in the National Gallery runs the gamut from aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to contemporary works by Australia’s greatest masters. Its international exhibits include American, European and Asian collections. One thing you don’t want to miss when you visit the gallery is the drifting fog sculpture and other sculptures in the sculpture garden.
National Museum of Australia
Needless to say, any national museum is going to contain many national artefacts of historical significance. Australia is an ancient land, so the collection in the National Historical Collection at the National Museum of Australia would be remiss if it didn’t include aboriginal art and artefacts. In fact, aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have an entire section devoted to their fascinating histories and cultures. Some of these are ancient, while some, such as Tim Leura Tjapaltjarri’s exquisite 1975 “dot art’, Trial by Fire are of recent origin.
As far as treasures from colonial times to today are concerned, the National Museum of Australia houses tens of thousands of items, one of which must rank as one of the world’s most unusual. Go to the museum and you will not only learn about Australia’s most famous horse, Phar Lap, you will get the opportunity to view Phar Lap’s heart. Why is this important? When Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup in 1930, he was elevated to the status of a national hero and when he died under suspicious circumstances in the United States two years later, the nation mourned the loss of one of its greatest sources of pride.
Canberra Museum and Gallery
Located in the heart of the city, the Canberra Museum and Gallery is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. In a modern and relaxed setting, you can stroll through the gallery for free and then stop for a bite to eat in its popular café. Probably the most visited part of the CMAG is the Nolan Collection. Named after one of Australia’s most renowned artists, Sir Sidney Nolan, this permanent collection of his artwork just has to be seen to be appreciated. It includes 15 works from the artist’s “Kelly” series and the first of his “Burke and Wills” series of paintings.
Lanyon Homestead
Not exactly in the heart of Canberra, the Lanyon Homestead is a large homestead on the outskirts of Australia’s capital city. After several changes of ownership, the large rural property was acquired by the government in 1974 for $3.4 million dollars. In 1975, it was converted into the Sidney Nolan Gallery and the grounds around the museum were restored to pristine condition. More than just another gallery, a visit to Lanyon Homestead gives visitors a feel for what it is like to live on a large and prosperous Australian farming homestead. Once there, it doesn’t take much imagination to realise that what is now the Capital City of Australia was once in the middle of nowhere.
Rob writes about popular things to do and see when visiting Australia. If planning on visiting Australia check out some of the great attractions and range of Canberra accommodation on ‘Book it Now’.
