Description of the attraction
In the center of Canberra there is a huge artificial lake - Burleigh Griffin. Its construction was completed in 1964 after a dam was built on the Molongo River, which flows between the city center and the Parliamentary Triangle (a complex of government buildings). The length of the lake is 11 km, its widest part stretches for 1, 2 km. The average depth is 4 meters, and the maximum is 18, not far from the Skrivner Dam. The dam itself was built to prevent flooding that occurs here every 5 thousand years.
The lake is named after Walter Burleigh Griffin, an American architect who designed the development of Canberra in the early 20th century. It is really located in the geographical center of the city, and is its main decoration. The National Gallery, the National Museum, the State Library, the Australian National University and the Supreme Court are built on its banks, and the Houses of Parliament are a five-minute walk away. The lake is surrounded by parks and squares - the favorite places of recreation for the townspeople, especially in the hot months. Although it is not customary to swim in the lake, it is used for many sports as well as fishing.
The park area around the lake covers an area of 3139 sq km. Some parks have been specifically designed as recreational areas, such as Commonwealth Park, Weston Park, Kings Park and Greville Park, as well as Lennox Gardens and Commonwealth Square. The Commonwealth Park, located on the northern shore of the lake, is one of the most popular with Canberra residents. It annually hosts the Floriad Flower Festival, which is attended by about 300 thousand people. This is Australia's largest flower festival. Weston Park on the western shore of the lake is famous for its coniferous woodlands.
There is a bicycle path around the lake, which on weekends is filled with lovers of cycling and rollerblading, running and just taking a walk. On the shores of the lake, fireworks are often organized, for example on New Years, and since 1988 the Skyfire fireworks show has been held. In summer, the lake is used for numerous triathlon and aquathlon competitions.
In 1970, the James Cook Memorial was opened on the lake to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the captain's maiden voyage along the east coast of Australia. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was present at the grand opening of the Memorial. The Memorial itself consists of a fountain in the center of Lake Burleigh Griffin and a mock globe at Regatta Point. The fountain is powered by two pumps emitting up to 250 liters of water per second at a height of 147 meters. In some cases, the fountain is illuminated with illumination.
