What is Questacon in Canberra?
Questacon is the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra. It offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits that help children and adults explore science through play.
Questacon began in 1980 in an old school building. Its current building on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin opened in 1988, a Bicentennial gift to Australia from the people of Japan.
Galleries explore topics such as earthquakes, lightning, sound and engineering. A highlight is the Free Fall, a slide where visitors drop about six metres.
Reaching every state
Questacon runs travelling exhibitions and science circuses that visit schools and remote communities around Australia.
Its science shows and innovation programs are popular with families.
Questacon is part of the federal government.
The centre is managed by the federal department responsible for science and has been a favourite stop for school excursions to the capital for decades. Its gift shop sells science kits and puzzles, and special exhibitions change regularly. Many Australian adults remember visiting as children, making it one of Canberra's best-loved attractions.
Did You Know?
Questacon welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to its Canberra centre each year.