Discover Nicholls

In Nicholls, discoveries range from prehistoric exhibits and miniature architecture to Australian animals and Aboriginal art. These varied themes offer different starting points for planning your trip. First, consider which experiences you would like to focus on.

Prehistoric exhibitions and miniature worlds

The National Dinosaur Museum in Nicholls houses Australia’s largest permanent exhibition of prehistoric exhibits. The museum also has a garden area with a 20-metre-tall animatronic T. rex. The collection and the life-sized figure represent two different aspects of a visit to this museum.

Cockington Green Gardens offers a different perspective on built forms: the attraction features miniature buildings from more than 30 different countries. Compared with the prehistoric collection, its appeal lies in architecture on a small scale and the variety of buildings represented. Cockington Green Gardens is accessible by public transport, with services running both to and from the attraction. Check the services again before your trip.

Australian animals and birds

The Canberra Reptile Zoo showcases a diverse selection of native Australian animals, including reptiles, amphibians, marsupials and birds. Visitors interested in native wildlife can find several animal groups in one place, rather than limiting their visit to a single category.

At the Canberra Walk In Aviary, visitors can observe, photograph and feed free-flying birds in a planted 1,000-square-metre aviary. This makes it different from a conventional collection display: the focus is on the birds and the ways visitors can experience them in the aviary.

The Canberra Reptile Zoo also runs school presentations featuring live presentations and guided tours for students. If you are planning a group visit, confirm the program’s availability in advance.

Aboriginal art and different travel interests

The Aboriginal Dreamings Gallery has an extensive collection of ethically sourced original art by Aboriginal people from most regions where Aboriginal art is created.

The attractions can be distinguished by theme: exhibitions and miniatures offer a cultural and architectural focus, the zoo and aviary put animals at the centre, and the gallery showcases original art. If you are planning for a group with different interests, this selection can help you decide what to focus on during a stay in Nicholls. When looking for hotels in Nicholls, it is also useful to first consider which of these themes matter most for your trip.

In the wider destination of the Australian Capital Territory

Beyond Nicholls, the wider destination of the Australian Capital Territory offers further nature and culture experiences. Namadgi National Park protects 106,095 hectares of alpine, subalpine and montane bushland and has several hundred kilometres of walking trails. In the Australian Capital Territory, an easy walk leads to ancient Ngunnawal rock art at Yankee Hat. Access status can change, so check current access information before your visit.

The 138-kilometre Canberra Centenary Trail in the Australian Capital Territory offers a different scale of experience. It is a self-guided shared-use trail for walkers, runners and cyclists, and includes sites and landscapes of significance to the Ngunnawal. These regional examples are part of the Australian Capital Territory and complement a focused look at Nicholls.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Weetangera, Barton, Kambah, Monash, Acton, Pialligo, Campbell, North West Rural Canberra.

To the wider travel overview: Australian Capital Territory.