National Library of Australia
A lakeside library with a colonnade inspired by the Parthenon. Its Treasures Gallery displays national treasures such as Captain Cook's journal from the voyage of the Endeavour.
The National Library opened in 1968. Its marble colonnade and hall with stained glass are elegant. The free Treasures Gallery displays the original manuscript journal of Captain Cook's Endeavour voyage, early colonial maps, and Indigenous documents, and it often hosts special exhibitions. The reading rooms are open to the public. The bookshop and café downstairs overlook the lake. It is open roughly 10:00 to 17:00, with longer hours for the reading rooms. It is west of Questacon, so you can walk between the museums in the parliamentary triangle.
Opening hours
Galleries daily 10:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Questacon
- Captain Cook Memorial Jet
- National Portrait Gallery
- Old Parliament House (Museum of Australian Democracy)
- High Court of Australia
- National Gallery of Australia
- National Museum of Australia
- Commonwealth Park & Floriade