Australian Mint Archives - Destination's Journey

Royal Australian Mint

Situated in Deakin, Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, The Royal Australian Mint makes all of Australia’s coins as well as some for international customers.

Parking

The Mint has its own visitor carpark, so parking isn’t an issue. Well sign posted, the building is also easy to find.

What’s There

On entry, you are greeted with a display of $1 coins spilling from a bucket (inside a class box, so no free samples!). If you have any questions, an information booth with a staff member will help.

All of the main displays are on the second level. Climbing the stairs, look at the faces of each step because they are filled with five-cent coins.

At the top, look up to see replica coins hanging from the ceiling.

The coins display takes you through the history of coins in Australia, starting at colonial times, through to the present. The transition to decimal currency is particularly well covered, showing the design process and many of the designs considered before settling on the ones we know.

Walking past the displays, you can view the working area of the mint through large windows. On a work day this area is bustling with activity, but we were there on a weekend so it was quiet. At the far end, you can sit on a stack of giant coins and watch the factory floor.

Gift Shop and Café

Located on the ground floor, the gift shop has everything about coins for sale. If you like to collect or invest in coins, you can buy collections of the current coins in circulation, or a set of gold coins to invest in.

Next to the gift shop The Mint Café sells food and drinks to refuel before or after your visit.

What Did We Think?

We were not sure what to expect, we were pleasantly surprised as to how good it was. The excellent display of coins and the history of decimal currency was very interesting and easy to follow. Visiting on a working day would be better so that you see the factory working.