10,000 steps around Canberra
You can’t visit the national capital without exploring both Parliament Houses and the beauty of the surrounding area
Take walk through Canberra and discover our capital. There are plenty of opportunities along the way to explore parliamentary surroundings, gardens and more. Use our trail as a guide, and discover just how easy it is to accumulate 10,000 steps when you’re absorbed in the beauty of this city.
Start your walk at our country’s largest reference library, the National Library of Australia. The origins of this library date back to the years following Federation in 1901. Originally in Melbourne, the library moved to Canberra in 1927, when Parliament relocated. However, in 1968, the library’s collection and services grew, and a new building was opened on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin (where it remains today).
Whether you enter the library or not, head towards the lake, where you will approach the Australians of the Year Walk. This walk displays numerous plaques that stand as a permanent record of all award recipients. Following this path away from the bridge
(if looking at the water, bridge will be to your left), you will reach the display of 110 International Flags (including the European Union and United Nations). In the middle of the display stands the Australian flag and a walkway lined with Australian sandstone, taking you to Commonwealth Place and Reconciliation Place.
Explore this symbolic area within the Parliamentary Zone, on traditional land of the Ngunnawal people, which recognises the importance of the shared history between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. On either side of the lawn lie 17 artworks that explore themes of Indigenous achievement and connection to the land and water. To find out more about the artwork on the Reconciliation Place SelfGuided Walking Tour trail, visit nca.gov.au. Continuing towards Parliament, you will pass Questacon, with more than 200 interactive science exhibits. Visit now, or return for a full day of educational fun for all ages.
Crossing King Edward Terrace you will come face to face with a memorial commemorating the reign of King George V from May 1910 to January 1936, which was commissioned by the government after his death. ➤
From here, continue towards
Old Parliament House. Today, this national icon is home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, offering daily tours revealing the stories of the people who helped shape our society.
Surrounding Old Parliament House lie many gardens to explore: The National Rose Gardens, The Robert Broinowski Garden (created by Broinowski, one of the parliamentary officers in the 1930s), Senate Gardens and The Rex Hazlewood Rose Garden (the first rose garden on parliamentary grounds created by the landscape designer in 1931). Nearby is Magna Carta Place, which holds a sealed time capsule installed in 2001 containing newspaper articles, special coins minted for the Centenary of Federation and messages from the Prime Minister and State and Territory leaders to be opened during the Bicentenary of Federation in 2101.
Walking down Federation
Mall, you will arrive at the Canberra Parliament House
Post Office, Parliament House, Parliamentary Library and the House of Representatives Formal Gardens. It is here you can take a guided tour of Parliament, discover historic documents, view an impressive collection of Australian art or simply enjoy a coffee or refreshing drink at the popular Queen’s Terrace Cafe. Check aph.gov.au to see if the House of Representatives or the Senate will be sitting!
Make your way back down Federation Mall, past Old Parliament House, the Bowling Greens (to the right) and the
Australian Heritage Council.
You will reach the National Gallery of Australia – featuring world-class exhibitions and the world’s largest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art collections. If you don’t have time to visit today, head around to the Sculpture Garden to admire large sculptures along the waterfront to continue the walk.
If you have spent your day exploring every garden and building we’ve walked past so far, you may be close to your 10,000-step goal. If you have completed your 10K step count, looking at the water, turn left and follow the water around back to the starting point.
Returning another day to explore the buildings, and ready to get going on the remainder of our walk? Stand with the lake to your left, then turn left onto Kings Avenue Bridge to cross the
lake, and turn left again into the National Police Memorial Australia. Paying tribute to officers who have been killed while on duty, or died as a result of their duties, this memorial has more than 700 touchstones that are individually lit from dusk. Opposite the memorial is the man-made Aspen Island, home to a 50m tall landmark. The National Carillon holds 55 bronze bells – each weighing between 7kg and 6 tonnes – and is the perfect place for a picnic.
Back to the mainland, follow the path along the lake, where you will walk up to one of the few stone buildings that remain from the 1860s. Blundells Cottage consists of six rooms, displaying how families lived in this home. If visiting on a Saturday, the home may be open for you to explore; however, if you’re here during summer the cottage may be closed due to heat considerations.
Follow the lake’s edge to Commonwealth Park. Spread across 34.5 hectares, you’ll find hidden walks, ponds and sculptures the whole family will enjoy. As your walk comes to an end, this is the ideal place to relax and take in the adventure.
When you’re ready to head home, you can follow Commonwealth Park around the lake, turning left onto the main road, crossing Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and back to the National Library. Or, turn right onto the main road, into Canberra Central.
Whether you travelled the full circle around the Central Basin of Lake Burley Griffin, or you kept to one side exploring the gardens and parliamentary grounds, there are plenty of variations of this walk to take. Enjoy!