The 40 minute drive from Canberra to Tidbinbillla proved worthwhile with two great wheelchair accessible attractions on offer. Our first stop was at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve which you can read about here. The next stop was at the Canberra Space Centre (CSC) which is located on the grounds of the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex. The Canberra Space Centre offers visitors the chance to learn about the role Australia plays in the exploration of space. The impressively sized antenna dishes at the complex send and receive data from spacecraft exploring the solar system and beyond. For anyone interested in space or any astronaut wannabes a visit is a must.
The largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere can be seen in the distance and looks quite spectacular in amongst the country scenery of rolling green hills dotted with sheep.
Once inside, the Canberra Space Centre has a mixture of hands-on activities and displays which are at a great height for children and wheelchair users. There’s a chance to see a piece of the Moon that’s over 3.8 billion years old, check out the latest images from across the Solar System, see spacecraft models and other memorabilia.
BJ is always keen on hands-on displays and the Canberra Space Centre does not disappoint with a variety of opportunities to interact and learn about space.
Although a small museum, it’s packed with information and at varying times volunteers roam around the centre answering questions and engaging inquisitive visitors.
The Centre caters well to young children and those who are still a kid at heart, desperate to unleash their inner astronaut. Make no mistake, there’s plenty of detailed and informative displays about space, but as usual, our kids were drawn to the displays where they could make things happen.
All those pesky questions about how astronauts use a bathroom and what they eat when in a space craft are answered with a visit to Canberra Space Centre. Though I must say, I feel dieting would be made easier with the options available to astronauts! Head to the Centre’s café if you’d like something a little more appetising than the food pictured above.
ACCESSIBLITY
Two accessible parking spaces are located close to the gated vehicle entry.
A stand-alone accessible bathroom facility is available.
All areas of the Centre are accessible and displays are at a good height for viewing.
Automatic opening doors provide easy entry.
Entry is free to everyone.
You can read more about the facilities at the Canberra Space Centre here.
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