Mount Ainslie Lookout

Welcome to Mount Ainslie Lookout, a must-visit destination in Majura, Australia. As an establishment, landmark, park, point of interest, and tourist attraction all in one, Mount Ainslie Lookout offers a unique experience that showcases the beauty and significance of Australia's national capital.

Situated at 20 Mount Ainslie Drive, the lookout serves as an excellent starting point for exploring Canberra Tracks. With informative interpretive signage, visitors can enhance their understanding of the history and significance of Australia's capital city.

To reach Mount Ainslie Lookout, follow Commonwealth Avenue northwards from the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre. Take the second exit onto Parkes Way east, and after 1.5 km, turn left onto Anzac Parade. At the end of Anzac Parade, you'll find the iconic Australian War Memorial. From there, turn right and then left onto Mount Ainslie Drive.

Once you reach the lookout, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of Canberra's magnificent setting and design features. The renowned architect Walter Burley Griffin, who won the international design competition for the capital in 1912, described the site as an "irregular amphitheatre" with Mount Ainslie, Black Mountain, and Mount Pleasant forming the top galleries. The slopes leading to the water create the auditorium, while the Molonglo River and floodbasin form the arena.

From this vantage point, you can witness Griffin's vision and its modifications. Lake Burley Griffin serves as a unifying design element, and when you look across the lake towards Parliament House, you'll be sighting along Griffin's land axis, aligned with four hill summits from Mount Ainslie through Camp Hill and Capital Hill, all the way to the distant Mount Bimberi. Griffin's geometric plan becomes readily apparent from this high viewpoint.

In addition to Griffin's composition, the Mount Ainslie Lookout offers views of the greater Canberra area. You'll see the garden suburbs designed by the Federal Capital Commission in the 1920s, as well as the vast network of neighborhoods and new towns constructed from the 1960s onwards by the National Capital Development Commission. The view also extends to the borders of the Australian Capital Territory, showcasing the development that has expanded Canberra over the years.

From the lookout, you can admire the tall buildings of Civic, the inner northern suburbs, and Black Mountain, with metropolitan Belconnen visible in the distance. Belconnen, designed as the second town by the National Capital Development Commission in 1966, forms the northwestern "arm" of the Y-Plan. The results of generations of tree planting and private gardening are evident, creating a stunning urban forest.

As you take in the breathtaking views, don't forget to appreciate the green belt of Haig Park, which marks the northern edge of Civic. This park, designed by Charles Weston in the 1920s, serves as a sanctuary from the harsh weather conditions and forms the capital's northern boundary.

With its rich history, stunning views, and proximity to other iconic landmarks, Mount Ainslie Lookout is a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers a unique perspective on Canberra's design, development, and natural beauty. So, plan your visit today and spend some time gazing upon the wonders of Australia's national capital.