Questacon and Mini Q - Canberra - Review
Where do I start except for saying that Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre is an amazing place and you will keep the kids busy there for hours! There is so much to see, experience, learn about and enjoy! We loved our visit when we headed there mid July!
When we first visited Canberra, it was during a public holiday and we arrived at 11am and quickly realised there was no way we would get in with the massive queues so when we recently went back to Canberra we headed there as soon as the center opened at 9am. We grabbed our Mini Q session tickets straight away before they were gone and headed inside.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Mini Q is a custom built space especially designed for kids 0 to 6 years old and we were so glad we managed to visit the space as the kids loved it! Mini Q had timed sessions in place when we visited which meant the space was not over crowded and from memory we were allowed for 45 minutes which was great but hard to explain the kids to leave.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
They loved the wet play area, the role play area and the space play area. They played in the role play area for most of the time pretending to be shop keepers and serving us food and minding sick animals at the vet. Once they found out about the water play, they were fascinated with it!
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Once we visited Mini Q, we went onto checking out the rest of Questacon. Levels after levels where kids can explore, discover, learn from and see. The areas were busy however the centre is quite large so it was manageable and the kids were still able to touch the experiments, play in the Q Lab which is suited for visitors aged 7 or more but still interesting to watch and try it. Kids and adults will be engaged with science with over 200 hands-on exhibits in eight interactive galleries and outdoor Science Garden experiences.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
The kids loved The Shed where you can see hands-on exhibits, artworks from artists and makers and an area where they could design and make their own flying cup and play with gravity and cars.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
The other galleries comprise of Above and Beyond - an epic journey into the sky and beyond where kids can learn about the speed of sound, pretend to fly like a bird, learn about supersonic flight and much more!
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Awesome Earth where kids can feel the force of an earthquake, let lightning park their imagination and wonder at the grandeur of the universe. Excite@Q is also a cool area of high energy, high impact and highly addictive physical phenomena and don’t forget to soak up the science with H2O.
Photo credit: @busycitykids
We will definetely visit Questacon next time we visit Canberra as there was a lot to take in for a first visit!
Photo credit: @busycitykids
Our Tips:
- Questacon is located on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra.
- The centre is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm including holidays except 25th Dec.
- Ticket prices are as follows: Adults $23, Children (4 to 16 yrs) $17.40, Concession $12, Kids under 4 are free and a Family ticket is $45 (extra child $5).
- If you are a member of Museums Victoria or the Australian Museum check your membership for reciprocal rights as you may be eligible to free entry to Questacon!
- Head there early as it opens to avoid the crazy queues and grab Mini Q session tickets at the counter.
- Plan ahead before you go to see what's on by checking out their website.
- There is no online ticket booking system at the moment but the center is working on it.
- There is parking outside the center.
- There are toilets inside including parents rooms
- There is also a café onsite.
- The center is pram friendly with a walking ramp and lifts.
For more ideas on what to do with the kids in Canberra, head to our blog or our Canberra daily spots lists.