Wanderyn
Lake Burley Griffin
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · AU

Lake Burley Griffin

Getting around: Right in the centre of Canberra — the lake is the city's geographic anchor, with a shared path circling it that's walkable or cyclable in sections, or drivable if covering the full loop.
Hours: Open 24 hours as public parkland; the Captain Cook Memorial Jet water fountain runs at scheduled times through the day.

Canberra's planned city was built around this artificial lake, and most of the capital's key institutions — Parliament House, the National Gallery, the National Museum, the War Memorial sightline — sit along or near its shores. It's less a single attraction than the connecting geography of the whole city, with a popular foreshore path for walking and cycling.

Rather than visiting it as a standalone stop, most people experience it by walking or cycling stretches of it between the actual attractions positioned around its edges.

Lake Burley Griffin FAQs

Is it worth visiting on its own?

It's more the backdrop connecting Canberra's major sights than a standalone destination — enjoy it as you move between the National Gallery, War Memorial, and other lakeside institutions.

Can I walk or cycle around the whole lake?

Yes, a shared path circles the lake, roughly 28km for the full loop — most visitors do a shorter stretch rather than the entire circuit.

Is there boat hire?

Yes, kayak and paddleboat hire is available at points along the lake, particularly near Acton Park.

What's the water jet fountain?

The Captain Cook Memorial Jet, a large fountain that shoots water skyward at scheduled times — a minor but recognisable landmark.

Best time to visit?

Morning or late afternoon for cooler walking conditions; the lake looks good at most times of day given the surrounding institutional architecture.

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