Tours and residencies

Step back in time at this hidden gem in the heart of Forrest, where you can experience life as the Clark family did in the 1950s. Sit at Professor Manning Clark’s desk, where he penned his landmark six-volume A History of Australia.

Take a personalised tour of this heritage-listed home, designed in 1952 by acclaimed modernist architect Robin Boyd. Explore the rooftop study where Clark wrote his influential works, and discover the charm of mid-century Australian architecture and design.

Tours are available by appointment on Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We do open for special requests outside of these hours. A donation of $10 per person is appreciated to support the service.

To book a tour, please email us at manningclarkhse@gmail.com or go to https://www.trybooking.com/CZEST

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 architect 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’.