New Parliament House

New Parliament House, the final realization of architect Walter Burley Griffin's vision for Canberra in 1912, is a modern architectural marvel. The boomerang-shaped structure nestles comfortably into Capital Hill and was built to replace the Provisional Parliament House, now known as Old Parliament House, at the bottom of the hill.

An worldwide competition was won by a New York-based architect for the design of the new building, and the Queen officially opened Parliament House on May 9, 1988. The May date was chosen to commemorate the first Federal Parliament sitting in Melbourne in 1901 and the first gathering in the Old Parliament House in 1927.

From the roof's broad grassed walkway, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Canberra and witness how Parliament serves as the primary focus of the city's street system. The two massive circular granite walls that mirror the curvature of the hill, the towering 81-meter flagpole, and the Ceremonial Pool are architectural highlights of the edifice. In the lobby, 48 lighted greenish-gray marble columns create the illusion of a eucalyptus forest. Exhibits in the public areas present historic documents (like the Magna Carta) and retrace significant events in Australian history.

From the gallery that wraps around the first floor, you can get access to the public galleries of the green-hued House of Representatives and the red-clad Senate. A visit during session hours is a terrific way to see how parliament works firsthand, and the free guided tours provide intriguing information about the architecture. Following your visit, you can continue the 3.5-kilometer Parliament House Walk to the city center, where interpretative signs will teach you about the Parliamentary Triangle.

Google rating: 4.6/5.0

Address: Parliament House, Canberra
Official site: aph.gov.au