South of Lake Burley Griffin
Commonwealth Place
Opened by Prime Minister the Hon John Howard in July 2001, Commonwealth Place on Canberra's Land Axis is a major open space venue located within the heart of the National Capital on the southern shore of Lake Burley Griffin. Commonwealth Place features a large grass amphitheatre (the ‘cupped square') that includes Speakers Square (the Canadian gift to Australia for our Centenary of Federation), a paved area for entertainment and ceremonies, and upper grass terraces. Commonwealth Place has magnificent views of Lake Burley Griffin, Commonwealth and Kings Parks and Anzac Parade. Commonwealth Place can accommodate up to 7000 people for an event but is also suitable for smaller community events, gatherings and functions.
Reconciliation Place
Opened by Prime Minister the Hon John Howard in July 2001, Reconciliation Place features a 100 metre diameter grassed circular mound with a podium for performances, and a wide paved pedestrian promenade that links the National Library of Australia to the National Gallery of Australia. Along the promenade there are a series of public artworks — ‘slivers' — which depict inscriptions and images on various themes and events significant to reconciliation. Reconciliation Place is surrounded by extensive areas of flat lawns suitable for a variety of events. Reconciliation Place and the surrounds can accommodate up to 10,000 people for an event.
Patrick White Lawns
Located between the National Library of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin, with views to the Captain Cook Memorial Jet and Commonwealth Park, the Patrick White Lawns are a large, grassed outdoor venue suitable for a range of performances, festivals and corporate functions. The Patrick White Lawns can accommodate up to 15,000 people for significant events.
Old Parliament House Gardens
The Old Parliament House Gardens are splendid formal gardens established in the 1930s for the federal parliamentarians. Today the gardens are open to the public and include seating pavilions, pergolas and rose arbours, tennis courts, bowling greens and a cricket pitch. The Gardens provide superb venues for special occasions, celebrations and functions.
National Rose Gardens
These magnificent formal rose gardens, dating back to the 1930s and located north of Old Parliament House, incorporate a number of commemorative roses and are a popular venue for functions.
Magna Carta Place
Magna Carta Place commemorates the history of Magna Carta and its relevance to the freedom and laws of Australia. The Magna Carta Monument was the gift of the Australia-Britain Society and the British Government for our Centenary of Federation. The site is ideal for small gatherings, private functions and ceremonies.
Parkes Place
Parkes Place, to the north of Old Parliament House, features a number of venues with flat high-quality grassed landscapes surrounding the Federation Centenary Fountains and Reflection Pond. Parkes Place can comfortably accommodate crowds of several thousand for events and gatherings and is equally suitable for smaller functions.
Peace Park
Located between the National Library of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin, this park is dedicated to peacemakers and provides a private venue set in a prestigious location.