lake facts and figures
View east across Lake Burley Griffin from Telstra Tower. Springbank Island is in the foreground.
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Lake Burley Griffin is large artificial body of water at the heart of Canberra with ample room for play and exploration. It was created by damming the Molonglo River.
Surface area: 664 hectares (6.64 square km) Elevation: 556 m above sea level Length: 11 km, Maximum width: 1.2 km Shoreline: 40.5 km Average depth; 4 m, Maximum depth: 18 m Catchment area; 183.5 square km Volume of water: 33,000,000 cubic meters |
sightseeing around the lake
A number of significant buildings, monuments, landmarks and open spaces surround Lake Burley Griffin, with most of those featured below either on the water's edge or a short walk away. The stipulation for inclusion here is that you can see them from the lake. All provide endless photo opportunities, so be sure to take a camera.
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Kingston Foreshore
Canberra's premier lake-front residential development offering stylish apartment living, quality restaurants, bars and shops right in the centre of the city. |
National Gallery of Australia
'Blue Poles' by Jackson Pollock is just part of the incredible collection of world renowned artworks on display. Enjoy the cafeteria, bookshop, outdoor sculpture garden and special exhibitions. Membership available. |
High Court of Australia
An imposing building, and home to highest court in the Australian judicial system. Its functions are to interpret and apply the law of Australia and decide cases of special federal significance. |
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Old Parliament House
The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House is a living museum of social and political history, located in a nationally listed heritage building in Parkes, Canberra. |
Parliament House
The heart of Australian parliamentary democracy. Home to the Australian Senate and House of Representatives, and one of the worlds most extraordinary buildings. 2018 marks the building's 30th anniversary. |
National Portrait Gallery
The gallery's growing collection of around 3,500 works of representations of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the shaping of Australia as a nation and a society. |
Questacon - The National Science & Technology Centre
Promoting greater understanding and awareness of science and technology within the community, whilst making that experience fun, interactive, and relevant. |
National Library of Australia
One Australia's most beautiful public buildings was opened on 15 August 1968. It is the nation's largest reference library, with a comprehensive collection relating to Australia and the Australian people. |
Albert Hall
A grand heritage building that can be hired for a range of private or commercial occasions, including weddings, commercial sales or fashion parades. It was opened in 1928 and recently refurbished. |
Lennox Gardens/Nara Peace Park
Set on the shores of the lake opposite the Canberra Yacht Club on Lotus Bay. It's home to two landscaped gifts from Japan and China which celebrate sister city links between Canberra and Beijing and Japan’s ancient capital, Nara. |
Canberra Yacht Club
The Canberra Yacht Club was founded in 1959 as a focus for people from the ACT and surrounding regions who enjoy sailing. The Club provides recreational opportunities, a sailing school as well as organised racing on Lake Burley Griffin. |
Canberra Southern Cross Yacht Club
Restaurant and function centre at the Canberra Yacht Club marina. Part of the Southern Cross Club community organisation. Enjoy fine dining, fish and chips on the lawns or host a function. |
Weston Park, Yarralumla
A popular picnic spot and recreation area in the leafy lakeside suburb of Yarralumla. There is a nursery, beach, cycling and walking paths and plenty of open space for fun and games. There is even a small railway and mini-golf area. |
Government House, Yarralumla
The official residence of the Governor General of Australia enjoys a prime lakeside location. It is open to the public once a year where you can explore the house and its extensive gardens. |
Scrivener Dam
Since 1964 the dam has held back the waters of the Molonglo River to create Lake Burley Griffin. Named in honour of government surveyor Charles Scrivener, it is a concrete gravity dam, with a height of 33 metres and length of 313 metres. |
National Zoo & Aquarium
One of Canberra's premier tourist attractions, the privately owned 19-hectare zoo and aquarium is located in Yarralumla at the western end of Lake Burley Griffin, next to Scrivener Dam. It recently had a major expansion, with 12 ha of open range exhibits opened in May 2017. |
National Arboretum
A is a 250-hectare (618 acre) arboretum created after the devastating 2003 Canberra bushfires, to display forests of rare, threatened and/or iconic species from around the world, including Australia. You can join the Friends of the National Arboretum here. |
Black Mountain Peninsula
A prominent bushland area on the north-western section of the lake, accessible by road with playgounds, walking paths and picnic areas with BBQs and facilities. Home to a number of rowing clubs it has a beach, boat ramps and spectacular views across the lake to Canberra city and beyond. |
Australian National University
Adjacent to the lake, in the suburb of Acton, the university is a world-leading contributor to public policy formation and debate and a celebrated place of intensive research and high-quality education. Its grounds are a delight to explore any time of year. |
National Museum of Australia
The museum preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation. The buildings unique design is by architect Howard Raggatt based on a theme of knotted ropes, symbolically bringing together the stories of Australians. |
Henry Rolland Park
The first stage in the renewal of West Basin. The park is connected to the lake by a 150m long boardwalk. It has lawn areas, picnic and barbecue facilities, exercise equipment and more than 23,000 plants. It's opposite the National Museum, and a great spot to relax and enjoy views across the lake. |
Captain James Cook Memorial
The Memorial Jet and the nearby Captain Cook Globe at Regatta Point were constructed to commemorate the bicentenary of James Cook's discovery of the east coast of Australia. It was inaugurated on 25 April 1970 by Queen Elizabeth II. |
Regatta Point/Commonwealth Park
Located with the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point, is the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre. It has a wealth of information on Canberra and its surrounds. Adjacent to the centre is Commonwealth Park, an open public area with BBQ and picnic facilities, playgrounds, pathways, native gardens and water features. |
Australian War Memorial
Australia's national memorial honours members of its armed forces and supporting organisations who have died or participated in wars involving the Commonwealth of Australia, and some conflicts involving colonists prior to Federation. An exceptional building, with an extraordinary collection displayed with dignity and reverence. |
Blundells Cottage
An historic workers cottage on the shore of the lake. Built around 1860 it is one of the few buildings of its type to have survived intact in the Australian Capital Territory. It was occupied until 1961. The Cottage is open on Saturdays (except Easter) from 10:00am - 2.00pm for general visitors. |
National Carillon
The unique 50 metre tall architectural landmark, located on Queen Elizabeth II Island, is an impressive musical instrument with 55 bronze bells, each weighing between seven kilograms and six tonnes. It was a gift from the British Government to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Capital. |
Australian American Memorial
An unmistakable Canberra landmark. The tapered 79 metre column, topped with sphere and stylized American eagle, is a monument to the services and sacrifices of the United States forces in Australia during World War 2, and to symbolise Australian-American comradeship in arms. |
Duntroon House. Home to the Officer's Mess at the Royal Miitary College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
Located a short stroll from the Molonglo River and Lake Burley Griffin, the College sits at the foot of Mount Pleasant on the Duntroon estate. It's one of the only military bases in Australia open to the general public, consisting of a large area of land incorporating a golf course, library, a residential area for Defence members and their families, various area logistics and infrastructure units, a military hospital, a retail area, sporting facilities and the Australian Defence Force Academy. Here is the official Army website for RMC Duntroon. The grounds feature some beautiful and historic (and photogenic) architecture. |
The Molonglo River is a pleasant place paddle with calm waters and abundant wildlife.
Molonglo River
This photo shows the Molonglo River not far from where it enters East Basin to form Lake Burley Griffin. This section of the river is near the entrance to the Royal Military College, Duntroon. It is a pleasant place to paddle or fish and the adjacent wetlands provide ample opportunity for nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers. The Burley Griffin Canoe Club holds 'A Taste of Paddling' sessions for those people who would like to try out kayaking. The sessions are held on the Molonglo River in calm conditions close to shore. Follow the link and scroll down for details and dates. |
- "Lake Burley Griffin - An independent guide" and "lakeburleygriffin.com.au" provides the above information and links for general interest, recommended reading and research but has no affiliation with the organizations or owners of the above sites.