Front of NFSA building images is angled upwards to see blue sky. Pots with red tulips sit either side of steps
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Visit Us

Visit Us

PLAN YOUR ACTON VISIT

Welcome to our Canberra home in Acton, Australian Capital Territory. Visit our Canberra experiences page to learn more about our onsite café, public spaces and year-round program of screenings, exhibitions and events.

 

Opening hours

The NFSA is open daily from 10am to 4pm except for Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year's Day (1 January).

The Australians & Hollywood exhibition is additionally open until 8.00pm on Friday nights, except for 15, 22 and 29 December and 26 January.

The NFSA is also open outside these hours for advertised events.

CAFE OPENING HOURS

The team from Church Neighbourhood Goods is providing a café service at the NFSA in Acton, serving locally roasted Redbrick coffee. The Cafe is open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 3pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm and also open late for NFSA screenings and events.

Please note: the Cafe will be closed on 24, 25, 26 and 31 December and 1 January. On 27 to 30 December, it will be open from 10am to 3pm. 

 

TICKETING

Admission to the NFSA building is free. Tickets for events and exhibitions are available via the events calendar.

CLUB NFSA

Join Club NFSA to get free entry to every seventh paid screening, event or exhibition. Request a Club NFSA card at Reception and have your card stamped each time you visit.

Your Club NFSA card is redeemable for regular screenings, events and paid exhibitions but excludes premium and third-party events.

NFSA GIFT VOUCHERS

NFSA Gift Vouchers are redeemable for any Arc Cinema or exhibition ticket purchased via our ticketing page.

Purchase your NFSA Gift Voucher

 

HOW TO GET TO NFSA, ACTON

We're situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the Australian National University.

Visit the ACT Government website for information about potential disruption to local traffic near the NFSA during the construction of the light rail to Woden.

View on Google Maps

 

PARKING

Dedicated visitor parking is available on the NFSA premises between McCoy Circuit and Ellery Crescent (paid parking, up to three hours). There is also limited free parking surrounding the building on Liversidge Street.

We recommend considering public transport in peak times.

TRAVELLING BY BUS

Route R6 runs between Woden Interchange and City West approximately every 10 to 20 minutes, from 5.30am to 11pm on weekdays and 7am to 9pm on weekends and public holidays. Alight at London Circuit after Edinburgh Avenue and proceed 600 metres along Gordon Street to the main NFSA entrance on McCoy Circuit.

Route 53 runs between the National Museum of Australia (Lennox Crossing) and Dickson (Cowper Street) every 30 minutes, from 7am to 10.10pm on weekdays. Alight at Liversidge Street at the rear entrance to the NFSA.

Visit the Transport Canberra website for more information about public transport timetables.

TRAVELLING BY LIGHT RAIL

The NFSA is a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Alinga Street light rail interchange in Canberra’s city centre.

Visit Transport Canberra for information on using the light rail.

TRAVELLING BY E-SCOOTER

Beam Mobility and Neuron Mobility operate shared e-scooters in Canberra.

The NFSA sits just outside the e-scooter geofence – visit the Transport Canberra website to access a shared e-scooters map and follow parking and safety instructions in the Beam and Neuron apps.

 

ACCESSIBILITY

Wheelchair access

All areas within the NFSA are wheelchair accessible (see map below). Wheelchair access to the building is available from the south-facing entrance on Liversidge Street.  

A wheelchair is available from NFSA reception.

To book the wheelchair in advance, call (02) 6248 2000 during business hours. 

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Hearing assistance

There are T switch loops available in Arc Cinema and the NFSA Theatrette.

ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS

Accessible bathrooms are located in the main building.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS

Recognised assistance animals are welcomed into the building.

DISABILITY ACCESS ACTION PLAN

Download the NFSA Disability Access Action Plan 2013 to 2023.

 

PLAN YOUR VISIT – COVID-19 INFORMATION

Information about COVID Smart behaviours is available from the ACT Government’s COVID-19 website.

 

NFSA CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

To help us ensure the safety of all visitors, and to protect our displays and exhibitions from damage, please observe the following conditions of entry to the NFSA.

  • NFSA buildings and grounds are smoke-free.
  • Food and drink are not permitted in the Gallery.
  • Bicycles are not permitted within the building.
  • Photography for personal use is permitted, except in the Exhibition Gallery or where signs request no photography. No filming is allowed in the Exhibition Gallery, Arc Cinema or NFSA Theatrette. Photography and filming for any commercial purpose is prohibited unless prior written permission has been obtained from the NFSA.
  • Assistance animals that are trained, registered and visibly identifiable are welcome at the NFSA when accompanied by their handler. All other animals are prohibited.
  • Prams and strollers are permitted within the NFSA. Visitors are to take care when using prams and strollers to avoid any damage to NFSA property or injury to other visitors or cinema patrons.
  • No organised event or function is to be held in the courtyard without prior written approval.
  • All visitors must comply with any reasonable health and safety instructions, and take reasonable care not to put themselves or others at risk.
  • Security closed-circuit television cameras are installed in the building and may record visitors during their visit.
  • For safety reasons, large backpacks, bags or other baggage are not allowed in the Exhibition Gallery. The NFSA may also ask you to check large bags upon entry to Arc Cinema and the Theatrette.
  • Visitors who do not comply with NFSA notices or directions, or who engage in conduct that poses a threat to the NFSA building or exhibits or to personal safety, may be directed to leave the NFSA by an authorised officer. This includes engaging in dangerous or inappropriate behaviour or illegal acts or infringing the rights of any other person.