Discover your competitive edge this summer

Posted on 12 December, 2018

Canberra is so often thought of as a political town, that it can be easy to forget we’re also home to one of Australia’s most iconic sporting attractions.

For years, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has been the breeding ground of Australia’s most successful athletes, from Lauren Jackson to Patty Mills and Michael Klim.

So if you’ve ever pondered about a day in the life of our sporting greats, now is your chance, as the AIS opens its doors daily to the public with a series of guided tours.

Kicking off at the AIS Visitor Centre, the public tours are a chance to get a glimpse of Australia’s premier elite sports precinct—and you might even be lucky enough to catch some of Australia’s top athletes in training.

Each tour will also include the chance to experience Sportex, a leading interactive sports exhibit set amongst a unique collection of Australian sporting memorabilia.

“Sportex is a highlight for children from five and up,” says Robert Dubravs, Manager AIS Tours.

“Visitors can enjoy fun and safe interactive displays, and learn about the history of Australian sport and be inspired to be active and play sport.”

Some of the interactive displays include the chance to feel like a gold medallist with an Olympic medal podium, or have a go at wheelchair basketball, downhill skiing, rock climbing, football penalty shootouts and more.

There’s also a visit to the AIS strength and condition gym as well as the opportunity to relive some of sport’s most iconic moments with an Olympics display featuring memorabilia tracing back from the 1965 Melbourne Olympics to the Sydney 2000 Olympics games.

Some of the highlights include Cathy Freeman’s shoes from her historic 200m and 400m gold medal wins in Sydney and Luc Longley’s 1996 Chicago Bulls jersey, along with his NBA championship rings from 1996 and 1998.

“It’s a unique chance to go behind the scenes in the life of our elite sporting athletes and visit one of our biggest tourist attractions,” says Robert.

the essentials

What: AIS tours
Where: Australian Institute of Sport, Leverrier St, Bruce
When: Daily from 10am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2:30pm (Bookings are not required for public tours.)
How much: Adults $20.00, children (5 – 17 years) $12.00, Student/Seniors $15.00, family (2 adults and up to 3 children) $55.00. Children below the age of five are free.
Web: experienceais.com/visit-ais/tours

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