Thrill or Chill? How to Spend the Perfect Day on Lake Burley Griffin

Discover Canberra’s underrated lakefront paradise. From dawn paddleboarding to afternoon gallery-hopping, explore Lake Burley Griffin’s sparkling waterscape in style.

Lake Burley Griffin isn’t just a pretty patch of water in our country’s capital. Sure it might look like a living painting with its verdant green shores and vast silver surface, but it’s also the nexus of outdoor activities in Canberra. 

Named after the man who won the competition to design Canberra back in 1931 - because that’s how they did things back then - Walter Burley Griffin incorporated a series of geometric motifs into the lake’s plan, aligning its main axes with the natural landmarks that define the area. 

Construction of the lake was put off until 1963, so poor old Walter BG never saw the big, beautiful basin as we do today: a thriving aqua-hub with more to do and see than any other stretch of water in Australia. These are the best things to do on and around the magnificent Lake Burley Griffin.

The most popular Lake Burley Griffin walk skirts the Central Basin and will give you access to all the best free things to do in Canberra. This 5km route is called the “Bridge-to-Bridge” walk, looping between Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Kings Avenue Bridge, and is great for snapping photos of Parliament House rising above the cityscape.

Along this route you can’t miss the National Gallery of Australia, perched right by the lake. Entry is free, and you can admire everything from Indigenous works and artifacts to the world’s best international exhibitions. Outside the Sculpture Garden is brimming with famous art pieces like James Turrell’s Within without skyspace and Tracey Emin’s When I sleep, and you won’t have to pay a single dollar for the privilege.

Nearby is the National Library and in spring you’ll find the corridor of Cherry Tree Grove peeling pink petals along the shoreline. The beautiful cherry trees were gifted to Canberra by the Japanese Government and their blossoms transform the area into a pastel wonderland for a few short weeks each year.

Directly across the bridge you’ll find Commonwealth Park which celebrates mid-September to mid-October with Floriade, an ode to all things floral, where springtime bulbs erupt in brilliant displays and imaginative sculptures pop up among the petals. It’s a free to all feast of colour and creativity that draws visitors from every corner of the globe.

Locals love: Aside from Commonwealth Park - with its Stage 88 amphitheatre and grassy surrounds - there are two more picnic spots on Lake Burley Griffin that compete for top billing. Black Mountain Peninsula, a chunk of land jutting out into the lake and dotted with picnic tables, barbecues, and plenty of shade. The other is over by the National Museum where there's usually fewer crowds. 

Looking for fun things to do in Canberra with kids? An Aussie classic, Questacon (grown up name, The National Science and Technology Centre) remains a theme park for pint-sized Einsteins. Set on King Edward Terrace near the lake’s southern shore, kids race from one exhibit to another, from gravity-free booths to interactive robotics, discovering science can be very cool. 

Make a day of it and wander over to the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre at the National Museum of Australia. This place is chock-full of interactive exhibits that are perfect for small hands and curious minds. The museum’s flamboyant exterior is a teaser for the stories inside, spanning Indigenous histories, Aussie pop culture, and everything in between. The Discovery Centre adds an interactive spin for kids, touch screens, puzzles, and curated children’s activities.

Still got bounce left in the tank? Set up near Black Mountain Peninsula during warmer months is Canberra Aqua Park, a floating inflatable playground that transforms the lake into an obstacle course. Prepare to fling yourself off slides and scramble across wobbling platforms while your kids shriek with delight. Be sure to book ahead as sessions often sell out, especially on weekends or public holidays.

Locals love: Canberra’s famous for its flat cycle paths that even little legs can manage. For a Lake Burley Griffin bike hire with options for e-bikes, regular bikes, kids'  bikes, seats and trailers for toddlers then head to Lakeside Bike Hire on Regatta Place. Looping the lake is about 30km if you’re feeling ambitious but there are plenty of shorter segments. 

Before the competition won by Burley Griffin, the Ngunnawal, Ngarigu, Ngambri, and Ngamabri-Guumall Peoples lived by the Molonglo River for over 21,000 years, fishing, hunting, and forging deep connections with the land. Today, as you glide across the lake there's something humbling about knowing these waters hold far more than just reflections of Parliament House.
 

Today there are six islands on the lake, but only three are named. Queen Elizabeth II Island is where you’ll find the National Carillon and is accessed by a bridge from the mainland. The tower houses a set of 57 bells that sing across the water and the Ngunnawal Bell pays tribute to the area’s traditional custodians. Inside, a carillonist commands a special console, tapping out melodies every Sunday at 11am for the free weekly concert.
 

Springbank Island is accessible by boat, and while the island is ringed by trees the interior is a big green field with tables, BBQs, and public toilets. In the West Basin of the lake Spinnaker Island is also only accessible by water and fun to explore but isn’t as well equipped for picnicking. For a Lake Burley Griffin boat hire, GoBoat Canberra has Scandinavian-style electric picnic boats, easy to drive even if your boating knowledge is zero. However you will need a temporary permit to go onto the lake with any powered boats.
 

If you’d rather leave it to the experts, Lake Burley Griffin cruises give you a prime vantage of all of the lake’s top landmarks, while avoiding all those Canberra roundabouts, while someone else does the steering. The guided cruise is a relaxing way to hear local lore and their sunset cruises can be spectacular, especially in autumn when the surrounding trees go golden.
 

Locals love: For Lake Burley Griffin kayaking and other non-powered craft like sailing boats and canoes you don’t require a permit and there are plenty of different ways to get out on the water. The Paddle Hub operates seasonally near YMCA Aquatic Recreation Centre and has canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboard gear.

If you want to be near all the action of Lake Burley Griffin without sacrificing your creature comforts, Novotel Canberra sits just a kilometre away from the lake’s shoreline, and effortlessly blends convenience with indulgence. Their award-winning First Edition Restaurant & Bar prides itself on serving only the choicest local produce, including exceptional wines from the ACTs best wineries.  
 
No matter how many kilometres you’ve clocked or how many sites you’ve ticked off your to-see list, you can slip into the warm waters of the beautifully designed indoor pool or a soothing sauna session to help tired muscles recover. With a genuine dedication to health and wellness, Novotel Canberra has a full gym, spa and in-room yoga channel. If you’re travelling with a family, children under 16 stay and eat at the breakfast buffet for free when sharing a family room with their parents. It’s the kind of place that makes you think, “I could definitely do another day or two in Canberra”.