Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra

Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra

The Parliamentary Triangle is the ceremonial precinct of Canberra, containing some of Australia's most significant buildings. The triangle is formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution avenues. Buildings within the triangle have been located and designed intentionally for visual effect, and those of national significance are popular tourist attractions.

The Parliamentary Triangle was a significant feature of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for Canberra. The apices of the triangle are Parliament House, the seat of government; the Defence Head Quarters at Russell; and City Hill, representing the civilian part of Canberra. Griffin planned the city around two axes which converge in the center of the Parliamentary Triangle. The land axis connects Mount Ainslie, Capital Hill and Red Hill and extends off towards Mount Bimberi the Australian Capital Territory's highest mountain. The water axis runs at right angles to the land axis along the length of Lake Burley Griffin.

The southern shore of the lake bisects the Parliamentary Triangle forming a smaller triangle known as the Parliamentary Zone. The Parliamentary Zone contains almost all of the significant buildings located within the Parliamentary Triangle.

Consistent with Walter Burley Griffin’s Garden City design, the Parliamentary Triangle is characterised by streets lined with large deciduous trees, and buildings set in expanses of grassed parkland. Consequently it has a very open feel and buildings are located several minutes walk away from one another. It was Griffin's original intention for more grand government buildings to be located within the precinct, however these have not eventuated as yet.

Development within the Parliamentary triangle is strictly controlled by the National Capital Authority – an agency of the Commonwealth Government within the Department of Transport and Regional Services.