Questacon

Questacon opened in its current building in 1988 as a bicentennial gift jointly funded with Japan, and it works on a simple principle: almost nothing is behind glass. Across eight galleries there are around two hundred exhibits to push, pull, ride and set off, covering physics, earthquakes, weather, perception and robotics, with a lightning show, an earthquake simulator and a free-fall slide of about six metres that visitors drop down head first. The Excite@Q and Mini Q galleries are aimed at different ages, and staff run demonstrations through the day. It sits in the Parliamentary Triangle among the national institutions, walking distance from the National Gallery and the lake.

History

Questacon began as a project of the Australian National University in spare space at Ainslie Public School, opening with 15 exhibits and run by volunteers and the physics lecturer Mike Gore, who modelled it on the Exploratorium in San Francisco and became its founding director; the name joins quest, to discover, and con, to study. Its present building was a gift from Japan for the bicentenary, Japanese government and business paying half of its cost, and it opened on 23 November 1988 (Wikipedia, Questacon).

What you'll find

• The free-fall slide - a six-metre vertical drop taken head first.
• The lightning and earthquake shows - staged demonstrations through the day.
• The hands-on galleries - around two hundred interactive exhibits.
• The Mini Q area - a separate gallery for the youngest visitors.

When to go

Year-round; it is entirely indoors, which makes it a reliable option in Canberra's cold winters and hot summers. School holidays are extremely busy, with queues for the popular exhibits. Weekday mornings in term time are calmest.

Practical notes

Entry is charged and adds up for families. It is designed primarily for children, and adults without them may find it loud and limited. Popular exhibits like the slide have long queues at peak times.

Nearby

The National Gallery and Library are adjacent; Lake Burley Griffin is across the road.

Key facts