National Library of Australia

The National Library of Australia is the country's largest reference library, located on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Parkes, Canberra. Opened in 1968 and designed by architect Walter Bunning, it holds more than 10 million items including books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and oral histories. Notable for its modernist architecture, lakeside setting and free exhibitions, it serves as the national legal deposit library and a major cultural institution.

Visitors can expect a modernist lakeside building with marble foyer, exhibition galleries, reading rooms and public spaces overlooking Lake Burley Griffin. Inside are free permanent and temporary exhibitions showcasing manuscripts, maps, photographs and rare books, along with a bookshop and cafe. The building offers quiet reading areas, guided tours, and panoramic views of the Parliamentary Zone and lake from its forecourt and windows.