ACT Historic Places warmly welcomes tour, coach and bus groups to Lanyon Homestead, Calthorpes House and Mugga Mugga Cottage.
Whether you are seeing the sites in a day, or spending a little longer to explore the ACT more extensively, a visit to one of our historic sites is an ideal way immerse in the history and culture of the capital.
You are welcome to visit our sites during opening hours and enjoy at your leisure, or we offer guided tour experiences. In order to view inside the historic homes, your group will need to book a tour experience using this FORM.
We also have venue hire and catering options, as explained below. Lanyon Homestead also features the Homestead Restaurant and Café, open from 8:00am – 2:30pm, Wednesday – Sunday. For groups larger than 12 people, please use the group catering menu to book in advance.
Standard Group Tour Packages
Up to 10 participants
Minimum: 45 minute visit
- Arrive with 15 minutes for comfort break + orientation
- 30 minute house tour with one of our experienced guides
- Remainder of visit at your leisure to self guide gardens or visit the café (Lanyon only)
11 – 20 participants
Minimum: 75 minute visit
- Arrive with 15 minutes for comfort break + orientation
- Participants split into two groups | Group A: 30 min guided house tour, Group B: 30 min garden self-guide
- Groups swap | Group A: 30 min garden self-guide, Group B: 30 min guided house tour
21 – 30 Participants
Minimum: 105 minute visit
- Arrive with 15 minutes for comfort break + orientation
- Participants split into three groups | Group A: 30 min guided house tour, Group B: 30 min garden self-guide, Group C: 30 min at leisure or catering
- Groups swap | Group A: 30 min at leisure or catering, Group B: 30 min guided house tour, Group C: 30 min garden self-guide
-
Groups swap | Group A: 30 min garden self-guide, Group B: 30 min at leisure or catering, Group C: 30 min guided house tour
Groups larger than 30
-
Please reach out to our bookings team using this FORM to discuss your requirements further
Important details for each historic place
🏡Lanyon Homestead
House Tours | Yes – guided and self-guided express option available , garden tours also available.
Entry prices | $12 Adult, $10 Concession, Children under 12 free
Dates and times available | Wednesday – Sunday every week 10:00am – 2:30pm. It is possible to visit outside of public opening hours, please enquire via the booking form. Additional charges may apply.
Catering | Group catering is available through our cafe. Small groups can order directly from the café on day of visit. If your group is 12 or larger and requires catering, please see group catering menu here.
Venue spaces for hire | Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces available for hire for groups up to 100. Charges apply, please enquire for further details.
🌳 Calthorpes House
House Tours | Yes – guided tours are available, Garden tours also available
Entry prices | $12 Adult, $10 Concession, Children under 12 free
Dates and times available | Saturdays 1pm – 4pm. It is possible to visit outside of public opening hours, please enquire via the booking form. Additional charges may apply.
Catering | There is no catering available at Calthorpe's House, but many local cafes nearby at Red Hill, Deakin and Manuka Village.
Venue spaces for hire | No
🌿Mugga Mugga Cottage *
House Tours | Yes – guided tours are available.
Entry prices | $12 Adult, $10 Concession, Children under 12 free
Dates and times available | Saturdays 1pm – 4pm. It is possible to visit outside of public opening hours, please enquire via the booking form. Additional charges may apply.
Catering | Self-catering is possible at Mugga Mugga, with use of our education centre
Venue spaces for hire | Our education centre is available for hire and includes a function room for up to 35 people, data projector and kitchenette. Charges apply.
*Please note Mugga Mugga cottage is currently closed for conservation works until early 2027 and not available for tours or bookings.
FAQs
What size groups can you accommodate?
We generally accommodate groups from 8-50 people at our sites. We can also accommodate larger groups in many instances, complete the booking form with your group size a team member will be in touch to discuss what can be offered. If your group is less than 8, there is no need to book as a tour group, you can purchase house tour tickets independently through the website Home — ACT Historic Places.
Can my group order directly at the Lanyon cafe on the day?
For groups 12+ please order off the group catering menu in advance when you make your booking. This ensures your food of choice will be available on the day, at the time you require it.
Do we have to order catering from the cafe at Lanyon, or can our group self-cater?
You are welcome to bring your own food to Lanyon. If you BYO food and drink please note that the Homestead does not supply plates, cutlery, glassware etc, all these items you must supply.
Can we reserve a room or space for our group to use?
Additional spaces at Lanyon and Mugga are available. If you would like to reserve these for the exclusive use of your group, fees and charges apply. Please indicate in your booking form if additional spaces are required and our team representative can prepare a quotation for you.
Do you cater to accessibility needs?
Yes. Please indicate any accessibility requirements at time of booking. Please note: there is a long gravel driveway between the parking lot and main homestead precinct at Lanyon. If you have visitors using mobility aids such as walkers, please indicate at time of booking and we can organise for our shuttle service to collect visitors from the parking lot.
Do we have to do a house tour?
If you are visiting Lanyon Homestead, there is plenty to take in without doing a house tour and your group can wander the gardens and outbuildings at their leisure. At Calthorpes and Mugga Mugga Cottage, the main attraction of each site is the home and thus group visits to these sites a strongly recommended to book a tour. Visit requests outside of usual opening hours are required to include a house tour.