A not so woolly mammoth
1 / 10

National Dinosaur Museum

4.3
·3k reviews·Nicholls, Australia

A captivating museum featuring impressive dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and a vibrant garden with life-like models.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays outside school holidays

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Loading map...
A not so woolly mammoth

National Dinosaur Museum

Best Time

Weekdays outside school holidays

Fewer crowds, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A captivating museum featuring impressive dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and a vibrant garden with life-like models.

4.3
(3k reviews)

"Kids absolutely loved it – they were so excited seeing the life-size dinosaurs, fossils, and fun interactive displays."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Great for Kids

Children of all ages, especially toddlers, absolutely love the interactive displays and life-like models. :child:

📸 Photo Ops Galore

The dinosaur garden offers fantastic, creative spots for memorable family photos. :camerawithflash:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dinosaur Garden

Dinosaur Garden

Outdoor area

Life-like dinosaur models and creative displays make for a fun, visually engaging experience with great photo opportunities.

Fossil Displays

Fossil Displays

Indoor museum

Explore genuine fossils and detailed models, learning fascinating facts about prehistoric life.

Interactive Exhibits

Interactive Exhibits

Indoor museum

Engage with hands-on displays that make learning about dinosaurs exciting for all ages.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Is it Worth the Visit?

While some find the National Dinosaur Museum small, many agree it's a fantastic spot for kids, packed with educational displays and interactive elements. Consider it a great family outing, especially if you have young dinosaur enthusiasts.

Timing Your Visit

Visiting during school holidays can mean crowds, but the museum is generally not packed. Off-peak times offer a more relaxed experience. Check for guided tours, which add an engaging layer to the visit.

Best Times

When
Weekdays outside school holidays
Why
Fewer crowds, more relaxed
Crowd
Low
When
During guided tours
Why
Engaging facts & stories
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Did you know there’s a dinosaur museum just 15 minutes from the city? 🦕😱 We stopped by the @NationalDinosaurMuseum at Gold Creek and it’s packed with prehistoric goodness — life-sized dinos, real fossils, interactive exhibits, and a pretty epic outdoor dino garden and playground. 🦖 Whether you’re bringing the kids or just love a bit of natural history, it’s well worth a visit when you’re in Can...
visitcanberra
330 likes • 17.4K views

🎯 Great for Kids

Children of all ages, especially toddlers, absolutely love the interactive displays and life-like models. :child: Reddit

📸 Photo Ops Galore

The dinosaur garden offers fantastic, creative spots for memorable family photos. :camerawithflash:

Looking for an egg-citing adventure this Easter? Come visit the National Dinosaur Museum and meet our incredible animatronic dinosaurs, including the mighty T-Rex, who’s been having a roaring good time meeting all our Easter guests!
nationaldinosaurmuseum
31 likes • 1.5K views
National dinosaur museum in Gold Creek. So good here for a family day out, and gold creek has so much to do, for kids and families. We normally go to the reptile centre or the walk through Avery. ✨🙌🏽🫶🏼 And lots of lovely family friendly cafes and pubs 🙌🏽 . . . . . . #nationaldinosaurmuseum #goldcreekvillage #canberra #canberralife #canberramums #canberrakids #visitcanberra #visitaustralia #expa...
marshalls_australian_adventure
16 likes • 2.5K views

📚 Educational Fun

Packed with educational facts and genuine fossils, it's a fun way to learn about dinosaurs. :books:

🛍️ Souvenir Hunting

The gift shop has a great selection of souvenirs, crystals, and genuine fossils to choose from. :gift:

reddit.com

Dinosaur Museum

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Great for Kids

Children of all ages, especially toddlers, absolutely love the interactive displays and life-like models. :child: Reddit

📸 Photo Ops Galore

The dinosaur garden offers fantastic, creative spots for memorable family photos. :camerawithflash:

📚 Educational Fun

Packed with educational facts and genuine fossils, it's a fun way to learn about dinosaurs. :books:

🛍️ Souvenir Hunting

The gift shop has a great selection of souvenirs, crystals, and genuine fossils to choose from. :gift:

What Travellers Say

4.3
(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the National Dinosaur Museum for its engaging displays and educational content, particularly highlighting the dinosaur garden and interactive exhibits. While some note its compact size, the overall sentiment is that it's a fantastic, fun, and informative experience, especially for families with children.

"I love the national dinosaur museum! It has many great fossils and models, full of educational facts and a lot of effort put into the displays.

The dinosaur garden is so much fun, the statues are so cool! It’s been so creatively done and beautiful!

The gift shop is also great with lots of stuff to choose from, there’s some really nice souvenirs as well as the genuine crystals and fossils."

Sharnie Dwyer

"Brilliant little museum that fits in a lot despite its conservative footprint. Great displays with lots of information. Cindy was a lovely lady who gave us some great information when we arrived about the famous find of the raptor and protoceratops bones captured mid fight."

Darren Frost

"Wow! Visited with my husband and our sons 1,2 and 17yo and everybody had excitement in different areas of the museum. We were in time for the tour guide and had interesting facts. Wasn’t boring at all. We visit during the winter holidays and it wasn’t packed at all. It’s not the big but displays enough for you to turn into a child full of excitement. My 2yo loved touching all that he was aloud to and yelling roar at every corner. Will definitely visit again next season. Thank you Canberra for all that you offer."

Priscilla Rewiri

What People Like

Engaging dinosaur garden
Educational displays
Interactive exhibits

What People Dislike

Compact size

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The National Dinosaur Museum is located in Canberra. Visitors can typically drive and find parking nearby, or use local public transport options. It's a straightforward destination to reach within the city. Reddit

While specific parking details can vary, most visitors report finding convenient parking options close to the museum, making it accessible for those arriving by car. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The museum generally operates during standard daytime hours, but it's always best to check their official website for the most up-to-date opening times, especially around public holidays. Reddit

Admission fees are generally considered reasonable, especially for families. Some visitors have noted it might feel a bit pricey for the size, but many find the experience worthwhile for the educational value. Reddit

While not always explicitly stated, purchasing tickets online in advance is often a good strategy for popular attractions to save time. Check the museum's website for online booking options. Reddit

Discounts may be available for specific groups such as children, seniors, or families. It's advisable to inquire directly with the museum or check their website for any current promotions. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

While some reviews suggest it can be walked through in about 10 minutes, others mention spending a good amount of time, especially with guided tours and the dinosaur garden. Plan for at least 1-2 hours to fully enjoy it. Reddit

Absolutely! The museum is highly recommended for families with young children. The interactive displays, life-like models, and touchable fossils are a huge hit with kids. Reddit

Yes, guided tours are often available and highly recommended. They provide interesting facts and stories that enhance the visitor experience, making it more engaging. Reddit

The dinosaur garden is a highlight, featuring creatively designed, life-like dinosaur statues and models. It's a fun area for a short walk and offers great photo opportunities. Reddit

The museum allows visitors to touch some real fossil dinosaur pieces, which is a fantastic hands-on experience, especially for children. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

While the museum itself might not have extensive dining facilities, there are often gift shops that may offer light snacks or drinks. It's a good idea to check their website or inquire about nearby dining options. Reddit

Policies on bringing outside food can vary. It's best to confirm with the museum directly, but generally, eating is restricted to designated areas if available. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally permitted for personal use, but it's always wise to check for any specific restrictions, especially regarding flash photography which can sometimes disturb displays or other visitors. Reddit

The dinosaur garden is a prime location for photos with its life-like models. Inside, the well-displayed fossils and interactive exhibits also make for great shots. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

The National Dinosaur Museum is a must-visit for families with children. Reviews consistently highlight how much kids, even toddlers, absolutely love the experience. The life-size dinosaurs, interactive displays, and touchable fossils are huge hits, making it both educational and incredibly entertaining. Reddit

Parents appreciate that the museum is packed with fun and interesting facts, ensuring that everyone learns something new while having a blast. The dinosaur garden is also a big plus, offering a great space for a short walk with fun photo opportunities. It's a perfect day out that guarantees excitement and memorable moments for the whole family.

Budget-Conscious Travelers

While some visitors have commented on the museum's size relative to its cost, many find the educational value and unique exhibits make it a worthwhile investment, especially for families. The ability to touch real fossils and engage with interactive displays offers a rich experience that can be hard to find elsewhere. Reddit

To maximize value, consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid potential crowds and ensure a more relaxed exploration. The gift shop also offers a range of souvenirs, including genuine crystals and fossils, which can serve as lasting mementos of your visit.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Dinosaur Garden Experience

The Dinosaur Garden is a standout feature of the National Dinosaur Museum, offering a unique outdoor extension to the indoor exhibits. Visitors rave about the life-like dinosaur models scattered throughout the garden, creating an immersive prehistoric landscape. It's been described as creatively done and beautiful, providing a refreshing contrast to the museum's interior displays. The garden also features elements like carts and jeeps, adding a playful touch and making it a fantastic spot for fun photo opportunities for families and dinosaur enthusiasts alike. Reddit

This outdoor space is perfect for a short, engaging walk, allowing visitors to get up close with impressive dinosaur replicas. It’s a place where both children and adults can let their imaginations run wild, posing with the ancient giants. The creative design ensures that even those who might find the indoor exhibits a bit compact will appreciate the expansive feel and visual appeal of the garden. Reddit

Educational Value and Interactive Learning

The National Dinosaur Museum excels in its educational mission, presenting a wealth of information about dinosaurs in an accessible and engaging manner. The displays are noted for being well-done, featuring lots of educational facts and genuine fossil dinosaur pieces that visitors can even touch. This hands-on approach is particularly beneficial for younger visitors, transforming learning into an exciting adventure. Reddit

Beyond just static displays, the museum incorporates interactive elements that captivate visitors of all ages. The effort put into the displays ensures that the educational content is not only informative but also presented in a way that sparks curiosity and wonder. The inclusion of guided tours further enhances this, with guides sharing interesting facts, such as the story of raptor and protoceratops bones found mid-fight, making the learning experience dynamic and memorable. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2