Government House

Government House, on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country, is the official residence of the Governor-General in Canberra.

It’s where the Governor-General lives and works, carrying out her special role in the constitutional, ceremonial, community and
cultural life of our nation.

People come to Government House to receive awards and honours, share creative gifts and brilliant ideas, and to connect with each other and our Australian story.

People also come to learn about our democracy and our constitution – especially the 25,000 school children who come each year for a guided tour of the house and grounds.

They find historic buildings, some dating back to the life of an 1830s sheep farm, and some to the early days of Canberra in the 1920s.

You will learn about the vast and vivid canvas of modern Australia, and how our contemporary multicultural nation, beginning with the world’s oldest continuous culture, is
sustained by the ideals of democracy and our institutions of government.

You might also get a chance to talk to the Governor-General, who always tries her best to catch up with Students who come to visit!

At the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, surrounded by kangaroos, cockatoos and Canberra views, historic Government House is a place of warmth and welcome for all Australians.