Tours and residencies

Immerse yourself in a delightful journey through time at this hidden gem nestled in the heart of Forrest, where you can experience life as the Clark family did in the 1950s. Imagine sitting at Professor Manning Clark's very desk, where he meticulously crafted the six volumes of "A History of Australia."

Join us for a personalised tour of this heritage-listed house, designed by the renowned modernist architect Robin Boyd in 1952. Walk through Manning Clark's rooftop study, the birthplace of his famous historical works. We also offer group tours during the annual Canberra and District Heritage Festival in March-April and by appointment, giving you a unique chance to delve into mid-century Australian architecture and design.

The House is generally open on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We kindly request donations from $10 per person to support this service. If you would like to schedule an individual or small group tour outside these times, please contact us to make an appointment.

3D Tour

Experience the magic from the comfort of your home with our 3D virtual tour, generously funded by the Robin Boyd and Alastair Swayn Foundations. This immersive online experience allows you to explore the house and enjoy interviews with those who knew the Clark family and the house’s architecture. Click the button below to start your 3D tour.

We look forward to welcoming you to this extraordinary glimpse into Australia's rich history!

Manning Clark House residencies for scholars and creatives

We are situated in Forrest, one of the older and more elegant suburbs of Canberra, close to everything.

It’s walking distance to the urbane cafes and shops of Manuka, five minutes by car to Parliament House, ten minutes to the city centre, and all the major national archives, libraries, museums, galleries and the university are somewhere in between the two.

The house itself is designed by famed Aarchitect and author Robin Boyd, and was the family home for Dymphna and Professor Manning Clark, and their six children. It is an early example of mid-century modern and is surrounded by an extensive garden,  including exotics, native flora and a productive fruit and vegetable garden.

The casual lives of the family members can still be felt throughout the home.

Manning Clark House offers a unique and affordable opportunity for researchers, academics, writers, artists and lobbyists to have a home base in Canberra and to pursue the house’s mandate to be ‘A Place of Ideas’.