Visiting
Plan your Visit
We value all interest in our unique holdings and look forward to assisting you. You must Request an Appointment before you visit.
Opening Hours
Special Collections is open to internal and external researchers, with priority given to UNSW and Defence requests.
Bookings are available Mondays-Fridays, 9.30am-4.30pm by prior arrangement. Use our Request an Appointment form to check availability and obtain confirmation.
Confirm an Appointment
Special Collections is open By-Appointment only. Use our Request an Appointment form to apply for a booking ahead of your visit.
Appointments are not booked until a Special Collections staff member has confirmed the date and time with the researcher. Please allow at least 48-hours turnaround for booking confirmation.
Instructions for Your Visit
A Special Collections staff member will provide further instructions for your visit as part of your appointment confirmation.
Before accessing material, researchers must sign an Access Agreement outlining copyright obligations, and appropriate handling, use and reproduction of material.
Download Access Agreement (PDF)
Finding Us
Special Collections is located on the UNSW Canberra campus, at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), issuing material via the John Howard Reading Room in the Academy Library (Building 13).
Campus Map
A Campus Map is available. Special Collections is located in Building 13 (Academy Library).
Directions
The University of New South Wales, Canberra campus is located at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Campbell at the top of the hill behind the Department of Defence complex in Russell. Directions to the campus can be found via Google Maps.
By Car
Take the entrance off Northcott Drive, Campbell. Free parking is located at Carparks 90 and 91 (see map). Please note it may be difficult finding a vacant car park between 9.30am-3pm in semester or when conferences are on. Park safely on the grass verges if the car parks are full.
Disabled Parking
If you have a disabled parking badge you may park in the disabled parks at the bottom of Carpark 91 (a short walk to Building 13).
There is an additional disabled parking area directly behind Building 13 in the loading bay. The road leading to the loading bay from Carpark 91 has road signs ‘no access permitted’ – you may drive down and park in the designated spaces only.
Taxi Point
Ask the driver to drop you at ADFA Taxi Point 6. This is outside the Officers Mess (Building 6) and a 2-minute walk to Building 13. Tell the operator you want to go to Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), not the Royal Military College at Duntroon, as the two locations are sometimes confused.
Security
UNSW Canberra is located on a patrolled military base. All UNSW and Defence staff must carry formal identification. Visitors should quote the Special Collections contact name/number to Security on request.