Discover Acton: Museum, architecture and travel ideas

Acton offers two distinct ways to explore Australia’s cultural history: the National Museum of Australia brings stories to life through striking objects, ideas and events; the main wing of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia has its own architectural history. Together, they offer both a broad view of Australia’s stories and a close look at the early capital. These cultural themes can be the starting point for planning your trip, while nature and water experiences in the wider Australian Capital Territory offer another side of the journey.

Museum and architecture in Acton

The National Museum of Australia is located on Lawson Crescent in Acton, Australian Capital Territory. It brings Australia’s many stories to life through objects, ideas and events. This approach brings together different themes and forms of expression, rather than reducing the country’s history to a single perspective. If you’re interested in Australia’s stories, the museum offers a tangible cultural anchor for your trip to Acton.

The main wing of the present-day National Film and Sound Archive of Australia building is also in Acton, Canberra. It was one of the first major public buildings to open in Australia’s early capital. It was designed by the young architect Walter Haywood Morris. This adds an architectural perspective to the museums and collections: the building itself points to an early phase in the capital’s history. Together, these two themes make Acton appealing to travellers interested both in Australia’s stories and its built history.

Culture and landscape in the Australian Capital Territory

The wider destination of the Australian Capital Territory also offers cultural experiences such as the permanent exhibitions at the Australian War Memorial, which feature more than 7,000 objects from the Memorial’s collection. Paved paths for pedestrians and cyclists lead to the entrance. If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking the latest access information beforehand.

The Australian Capital Territory’s natural attractions offer a striking contrast to Acton’s cultural sites. Namadgi National Park protects 106,095 hectares of alpine, subalpine and montane bushland and has several hundred kilometres of walking trails. An easy walk leads to ancient Ngunnawal rock art at Yankee Hat. As access status can change, check the latest information before visiting.

The 138-kilometre Canberra Centenary Trail offers another way to explore the region. The self-guided trail is intended for walkers, runners and cyclists, and takes in sites and landscapes of significance to the Ngunnawal. These walking and trail options differ in length and how they can be used; which one suits your travel plans depends on whether you want to visit a single rock art site or tackle a longer trail.

Wildlife viewing is another activity in the Australian Capital Territory: you can observe animals and birds in their natural habitats in almost every park or reserve. If you’re interested in garden art as well as landscapes and trails, the National Arboretum Canberra is home to the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia. The region brings together a range of interests, from bushland and wildlife viewing to a specialised collection.

Trails and activities at Lake Burley Griffin

You can explore Lake Burley Griffin on the trails around the lake on foot, by bicycle or on an e-scooter. Activities on the water include boat trips, picnics on the water and pedal-boat outings. You can choose between exploring the shoreline and taking part in various boating activities. The options differ in format, and provider details may change. If you’re planning a particular trip or a pedal-boat outing, check the latest information from the provider.

Choose the right accommodation base

If you also want to include the Australian Capital Territory’s nature and water experiences, Namadgi, the Centenary Trail, Lake Burley Griffin and the region’s cultural collections can take your plans in different directions. You can choose where to stay based on the themes that matter most to you, without combining these different travel ideas into a single destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Nicholls, Canberra, Curtin, Macquarie, Barton, Campbell, Monash, North West Rural Canberra.

Go to the broader travel overview: Australian Capital Territory.