National Archives of Australia, national archives of Australia
The National Archives of Australia is a government institution in Canberra that holds the country's official records, documents, and photographs. It is housed in the heritage-listed East Block building near Parliament House, and includes a Research Centre, a public reading room, and a gallery space with changing exhibitions.
The institution was established in 1961, taking over the management of government records that had previously been held by the National Library. In 2017, the Peter Durack Building opened to house the growing collection of paper and film documents.
The building sits within the Parliamentary Triangle, a planned zone in Canberra where many of the country's key government institutions stand close together. Walking through this part of the city gives a clear sense of how the capital was designed around the idea of national governance.
Entry is free and the institution can be reached by car or public transport, with parking available for both private vehicles and coaches. Those wishing to view original documents in the Research Centre need to book an appointment online in advance.
The institution holds the original competition drawings submitted by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin in 1912, after they won the international design competition for Canberra. These plans show the intended layout of the capital's streets, parks, and public buildings as the architects first envisioned them.
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