If Question Time has worn you down, stop for a bite at this (somewhat surprisingly) excellent cafe on the terrace above the main foyer. A wide range of fresh, well-prepared food is on offer, from rice-paper rolls to hearty bistro mains and everything in between. From Friday to Sunday high tea is available between noon and 4pm (per person $35).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Canberra attractions

1. Australian Parliament House

0.13 MILES

Built in 1988, Australia's national parliament building is a graceful and deeply symbolic piece of architecture. Sitting atop Capital Hill, the building…

2. High Commission of Papua New Guinea

0.33 MILES

One of the most interesting embassies in Canberra, the High Commission of Papua New Guinea building is based on the design of a Haus Tambaran, a…

3. Museum of Australian Democracy

0.4 MILES

The seat of government from 1927 to 1988, this elegantly proportioned building offers visitors a taste of the political past. Displays cover Australian…

4. Aboriginal Tent Embassy

0.47 MILES

First erected in 1972 as a protest against the government's approach to Indigenous land rights, this camp on the lawn in front of Old Parliament House…

5. United States Embassy

0.55 MILES

The US Embassy, constructed 1942–48, is the oldest embassy in Yarralumla, with the lease signed in 1941. It's built in a colonial Georgian style most…

6. High Commission of India

0.56 MILES

The design of the elegant, symmetrical Indian High Commission was inspired by classical Mughal and Hindu architecture. The grounds include a moat and…

7. Lennox Gardens

0.66 MILES

These perfectly picnickable gardens on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin are home to a couple of lovely small sights, including the Canberra Nara Peace…

8. National Portrait Gallery

0.67 MILES

Occupying a flash, purpose-built building, this wonderful gallery is a striking representation of Australia's shifting self-image and a must-see for art…