Join us to celebrate ACAL’s 50 years

on International Literacy Day – Tuesday, September 8, 2026

When in Canberra …

Should you have an odd half hour or two on the Monday or Wednesday when here to celebrate the ACAL 50th, consider what’s on in the “parliamentary triangle”.

There are lovely walks along the lakeshore from the National Library to National Gallery.

National Library

At the National Library there is a great exhibition which is the story of an innovative bilingual book production initiative in central Australia, predominantly in the 1990’s.  The timing suggests Freire had an influence. It’s worth a look, and is free entrance: also just going into the National Library is an experience in itself.

National Portrait Gallery (symposium venue)

You won’t need any recommendation to have a look at the brilliant permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery which sits between the NLA and the NGA along the lake shore.

Those of you who attended the ACAL conference in Adelaide in 2015 at the Adelaide Zoo might know what it’s like to bolt out for 15 minutes for free entry to the zoo and a short audience with the pandas. Rarely have we been in such a rarefied environment.

National Gallery of Australia

Then at the National Gallery of Australia where there is an exhibition of Arthur Boyd tapestries. They are overwhelming – it is not since the Turner Exhibition here years ago that we’ve seen anything that seems to illuminate the space so much – and there are so many of them, plus a little theatrette which runs an explanatory video as to how these tapestries were produced.  Again – a free exhibition.

Australian Museum of Democracy

Close by is the Australian Museum of Democracy at old Parliament House – again a free entry, and worth going in the building just because …  OPH (Old Parliament House) is an iconic part of Canberra.

Further afield

Further afield there’s the National Arboreteum with the wonderful Bonsai Collection and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

And even more

Yes, and even more, more at Visit Canberra.

We hope this improves your Canberra experience!