Overview
The Canberra Central Parklands are nationally significant because of their place in the Griffin Plan and for the blending of commemorative and natural locations. The Parklands are also locally significant as the largest and most heavily used, open spaces in the city.
Spanning 115 hectares, the parklands are bounded by the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin, Parkes Way, and Commonwealth and Kings Avenues. The area includes the existing open spaces of Commonwealth Park, Kings Park, Rond Terraces and Aspen Island. The parklands include Regatta Point, the National Capital Exhibition, the National Carillon, Blundells' Cottage and the section of lake shore gazetted as RG Menzies Walk.
Canberra Central Parklands
Commonwealth Park
At the western end is Commonwealth Park, a complex of mature gardens and park areas, exotic and native trees and shrubs and extensive areas of irrigated grass. This park provides a range of landscape experiences and includes a series of water features, a carpark, the National Capital Exhibition building at Regatta Point, Stage 88, service and other minor buildings, shelters, play structures, sculptures and memorials and paths.
Kings Park
At the eastern end of the parklands is Kings Park. This park has a more open character, with dryland grassed areas and areas of native and exotic woodland. The park includes Blundells Cottage, several national memorials and on Aspen Island, the National Carillon. Kings Park also has roads, car parks, minor structures and paths.
Rond Terraces
In between these parks are the Rond Terraces, a series of grassed terraces descending from a car park to the lake. These terraces visually extend Anzac Parade and Griffin's Land Axis down to the lake.
