Visit

Location

AIATSIS is located on Acton Peninsula in Canberra, adjacent to the National Museum of Australia. We are within walking or cycling distance from the city centre and the Australian National University.

Visitors can access our main entrance foyer and exhibition space, as well as search the AIATSIS Collection and conduct their own research in our Stanner Reading Room.

Maraga

The AIATSIS building on Acton Peninsula was officially named Maraga in 2020.

AIATSIS consulted the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and the Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Group who provided the building’s name. 

Maraga is a Ngunnawal word that means: strong and robust waddy shield, a tool of dual purpose offering the holder protection against the powerful waddy spear/club, and which can also be used as a coolamon to hold babies and carry food.

Opening hours

• Our building, Maraga and reception desk is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday. (excluding public holidays and the Christmas shutdown period)
• Our Stanner Reading Room is open to the public 9:30am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday. (excluding public holidays and the Christmas shutdown period)
• Bookings to view and access material in the AIATSIS Collection are available between 9:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). We would prefer at least two weeks' notice in advance.

Visiting and accessing the AIATSIS Collection

Appointments to visit and access material in the AIATSIS Collection are available between 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday and must be booked two weeks in advance.

We have implemented safety measures under our CovidSafe Public Spaces Plan to ensure the Institute is a safe place for both staff and our clients. 

We can have collection materials such as sound, film, video, manuscripts and rare print material ready for appointments. Some materials require permissions clearance before your visit. To make an appointment please complete our online request.

Booking an appointment allows us to prepare additional collection materials such as sound, films and video recordings, manuscripts, and rare print material ready and ensure any permission clearances can be completed before your visit. A minimum of two weeks' notice is required for an appointment to ensure we can prepare materials and undertake any clearances. 

Conditions of entry

Getting here

Parking

Please note that pay parking applies at Acton Peninsula between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays). It does not apply to motorbikes or accessible parking spaces. 

The cost of parking is $4 per hour for short-stay spaces (those closest to the National Museum of Australia and AIATSIS entries) or $17.00 per day for long-stay spaces (those furthest from the building entries). You can also purchase a discounted five day ticket for $82.50.

More information about parking on National Land in the ACT is available from the National Capital Authority.  

Bus services

There are a range of bus routes that operate to the AIATSIS and the National Museum of Australia and nearby through the ANU regularly. Bus routes, timetable information and fares are available from Transport Canberra.

Walking and cycling

There are a range of walking and cycling paths that lead to AIATSIS from the Australian National University (ANU), New Acton and the Canberra City and our building is just off the main path that traverses the entirety of Lake Burley Griffin.

There a range of bicycle racks available on Acton Peninsula outside AIATSIS and the National Museum of Australia.

Maps and further information about walking and cycling in Canberra is available from Transport Canberra. 

Visiting Canberra

More information about Canberra and the surrounding region including location details, facts and figures, how to get here and how to see the nation's capital is available from Visit Canberra. 

You can also phone the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre for further information about visiting Canberra. 

• 1300 554 114
• +61 2 6205 0044 (if calling from outside Australia)