Five Ways to Spend Your Vacation at Lake Burley Griffin

Lake Burley Griffin is a man-made lake that is located in the central portion of Australia’s capital city, Canberra. With a beautiful location as the centrepiece of the city, Lake Burley Griffin offers a wide range of vacationing opportunities. Don’t miss out on these five incredible experiences you’ll only find in Canberra.

1. Relax Near Lake Burley Griffin
The shoreline at Lake Burley Griffin stretches on for 40.5 kilometres, giving you plenty of space to enjoy your vacation. Residents and tourists come to the lake to enjoy the picturesque setting and numerous recreation options. You can try water activities like sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, paddle boating and swimming. If you’re looking for a drier way to spend your day, consider walking, jogging, bike riding or feeding the swans along the paths that surround the lake. There are also many public parks along the shoreline that have all the amenities you’ll need to enjoy a lovely picnic and the scenic view.

2. See the City from Black Mountain Tower
Formerly known as Telecom Tower or Telstra Tower, Canberra’s Black Mountain Tower is located on the highest point of Black Mountain. The famous building is one of Canberra’s most well-known landmarks and is a highly visible part of the city’s skyline that can be seen from areas across Canberra and Queanbeyan.

In addition to its telecommunications facilities, Black Mountain Tower is a preferred destination in Canberra because it offers so many options to visitors. Revel in breathtaking panoramic views of Canberra and the surrounding countryside from an indoor viewing gallery or from two outdoor observation platforms. You can also relax in the coffee lounge, peruse the souvenir shop or view a short video on the design of the tower and its construction.

3. Spend a Day Outside at Commonwealth Park
Commonwealth Park is located on the north side of Lake Burley Griffin and is one of the most popular parks along the lake. The park’s gardens, which were designed by renowned British landscape designer Dame Sylvia Crowe, serve as a stunning backdrop to the park’s walking trails and bike paths. Concerts are often held at the outdoor Stage 88, and the Floriade Festival is held annually each spring. There are also several stunning sculptures and memorials at various locations within the park for visitors to enjoy.

4. Experience Democracy and History at Parliament House
One of Australia’s most important and popular cultural destinations is Parliament House, the government building where Australia’s Parliament meets. Parliament House is situated on Capital Hill and is the focal point of the capital city of Canberra. The building offers a variety of interesting spaces and events for visitors to experience such as the Chambers and Question Time. Visitors can also view an amazing art collection and historic documents like the Magna Carta. Because the building is accessible to the public every day of the year except for Christmas Day, visitors from around the world can enjoy Parliament House’s impressive architecture and lovely landscape all year long.

5. Get Close to Wildlife and Nature at Local Reserves
A trip to Lake Burley Griffin wouldn’t be complete without experiencing Australian wildlife up close. Though Canberra is Australia’s capital city, you’ll still find that bush and parkland are an important part of the area. Take a walk on one of the many trails and paths that go around town or visit a reserve to see animals in their natural settings. The Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is just 45 minutes from Lake Burley Griffin and is home to a number of kangaroos, emus, koalas, wallabies and echidnas.