Information
Landmark: Commonwealth ParkCity: Canberra
Country: Australia
Continent: Australia
Commonwealth Park, Canberra, Australia, Australia
Overview
Commonwealth Park, a lush stretch of lawns and winding paths in the heart of Canberra, is one of the city’s most treasured public spaces.Right on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, this wide stretch of greenery invites you to breathe in the fresh air and take in sweeping views of the city’s skyline reflected in the water.Commonwealth Park, with its shady trees and winding paths, is the perfect spot to relax, wander, and soak up the outdoors.The park shelters native Australian plants, from eucalyptus to banksia, alongside themed gardens and striking public art installations.All year long, it puts on everything from lively street fairs to small art shows, drawing in both locals and visitors.So why visit Commonwealth Park?Set right on the edge of Lake Burley Griffin, the park treats visitors to sweeping water views, green hills rolling in the distance, and the chiming bells of the iconic National Carillon.Commonwealth Park, with its wide green lawns and towering old trees, feels like a quiet escape from the city’s constant noise.Commonwealth Park is the perfect place for a sunny afternoon-take a slow walk under the wide oak trees, spread out a blanket for a picnic, or join a game on the open grass.Here are the standout features of Commonwealth Park-think winding paths, tall shade trees, and the shimmer of the lake at sunset.In Commonwealth Park’s Themed Gardens, you can wander through vibrant plots bursting with roses, native grasses, and exotic blooms, each arranged to reflect a particular region or plant family.Every spring, the Floriade Festival turns Commonwealth Park into a sea of color, with tulips, daffodils, and thousands more bursting into bloom.Bright tulips, sunny daffodils, and other blooms spill across the park, filling the air with sweetness and splashing color in every direction.Australian Native Gardens: The park includes a section devoted to native Australian plants, where you can wander past eucalyptus leaves rustling in the breeze and discover a rich variety of species found only here.Number two.One of the best things about Commonwealth Park is the way it opens up to Lake Burley Griffin, where the water catches the sunlight and shimmers like glass.Scattered through the park are quiet benches where you can rest and watch the water shimmer, the National Carillon’s bell tower rising in the distance.Take a seat by the lake, where wooden benches and shady picnic spots line the water’s edge, perfect for lingering through a calm, sunlit afternoon.You can wander the paths that trace the lake’s edge, pausing to watch sunlight ripple across the water and take in the landmarks rising beyond.Rowing and kayaking are big draws at the lake, and you’ll find water-sports facilities just a short walk from the shore.Love spending time on the water?Rent a kayak or paddleboard and glide across the lake, the cool spray catching your skin.Number three.Rising from its small island in Lake Burley Griffin, the National Carillon towers over Commonwealth Park, its tall white spire catching the afternoon sun.A Canberra landmark, the carillon rings its bells through the day, letting soft, bright notes drift across the park to greet every passerby.The British government gave it as a gift, a clear sign of Canberra’s bond with the UK-like a handshake that’s lasted for decades.Guided Tours: At the National Carillon, friendly guides lead you through the bell tower’s history, its intricate construction, and the workings of the massive bronze bells that chime overhead.You can climb the tower and take in sweeping views of the park, with the lake glinting in the sunlight below.Number four.Commonwealth Park is dotted with striking art installations and sculptures, so you can admire a bronze figure by the lake while enjoying the park’s natural beauty.Art in the Park bursts with variety, from sleek metal sculptures that catch the afternoon light to bold contemporary installations tucked along the winding paths.Scattered across the park in just the right spots, these pieces draw people in, inviting them to wander the paths and stop to study each work.Floriade Art: During the Floriade Festival, the park comes alive with extra art-towering steel sculptures catching the sunlight and open-air exhibitions set to echo the beauty of the blooming gardens.Five.Every spring, Canberra bursts into color for the Floriade Festival, one of the city’s most iconic annual events, where tulips spill across the park in dazzling rows.Commonwealth Park hosts the festival’s main events, pulling in throngs of people from across the country and even overseas, their chatter mixing with the scent of food stalls.Flower displays: During Floriade, the park bursts into color, filled with sweeping garden designs and intricate arrangements of fresh blooms that change from year to year.Visitors can wander among the themed garden beds, pausing to breathe in the sweet scent of roses and admire bursts of vivid color.Alongside its vibrant flower displays, Floriade bursts to life with music drifting from live performances, the smell of sizzling local dishes, striking art installations, and activities kids can dive into-turning it into a lively, educational outing for everyone.Number six.In Commonwealth Park, you can spread a blanket under the shade of a gum tree for a family picnic or fire up the grill for a laid‑back BBQ with friends.Picnic Shelters: The park offers several covered shelters and BBQ spots, perfect for lingering over burgers while the breeze carries the smell of grilled food through the trees.Shaded spots come with BBQ grills and enough chairs for everyone.Wide, open lawns invite you to toss down a blanket, unpack your picnic, and take in the easy scene-sailboats sliding across the lake or the gentle chime of the carillon drifting through the air.Seven.If you love staying active, Commonwealth Park has walking and cycling paths that twist through shady lawns and follow the sparkling edge of Lake Burley Griffin.Stroll through the park and wander along its winding paths, where you can slow your pace, breathe in the scent of blooming roses, and watch sunlight dance on the water.The paths are neatly kept, so you can wander through the park without a hitch, even spotting fresh gravel under your shoes.Cycle around the lake: from the park, you can hop onto the path network that loops Lake Burley Griffin, pedaling past rippling water and shady gum trees all the way around.You’ll find bike racks in the park, perfect for locking up your ride before wandering off to explore the fountains and nearby attractions.Eight.With its playground and other kid-friendly features, Commonwealth Park makes a great spot for families-kids can race across the grass while parents relax nearby.Playground: The park offers a bright, bustling play area where kids can race down slides, swing high into the breeze, scramble up climbing frames, and explore hands-on games.It’s the perfect place for kids to race around and burn off energy, with fresh grass under their feet and open sky overhead.Open Spaces: Wide green lawns and sunny open fields invite families to toss a frisbee, stretch out on a blanket, and simply enjoy time together.You can reach Commonwealth Park easily by car, and there’s plenty of parking just a short walk from the gates.It sits close to Canberra’s city center, just a quick ten‑minute drive from most of the sights.You can also get there by public transport, with bus routes that drop you at a stop just a short walk from the park’s front gate.Visitors can wander through the garden, brushing past lavender that releases a sharp, sweet scent.
