Parliamentary Triangle, Canberra
The National Triangle, which is referred to as the Parliamentary Triangle, is the ceremonial precinct of Canberra, containing some of Australia's most significant buildings. The National Triangle is formed by Commonwealth, Kings and Constitution Avenues. Buildings within the National Triangle have been located and designed intentionally for visual effect, and those of national significance are popular tourist attractions.
The National 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 Headquarters at Russell; and City Hill, representing the civilian part of Canberra. Griffin planned the city around two axes which converge in the centre of the National 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 Lake Burley Griffin bisects the National Triangle forming a smaller Triangle known as the Parliamentary Zone bounded by Kings and Commonwealth Avenues.
Consistent with Walter Burley Griffin's Garden City design, the National 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, but these have not eventuated as yet.
Development within the National Triangle is strictly controlled by the National Capital Authority, an agency of the Commonwealth Government (not the ACT Government) within the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Significant buildings and monuments
The area covered by the National Triangle corresponds largely with the suburb of Parkes. Parliament House and Old Parliament House are the most significant features within the National Triangle. Other buildings significant to the design and symmetry of the Triangle are the High Court and the National Gallery, located near Lake Burley Griffin, forward of Old Parliament House and to the east, and the National Library and Questacon located forward of Old Parliament House and to the west. Commonwealth Place is located at the centre of the lakeshore and Commonwealth Park and Kings Park line the opposite shore of the lake.
Other significant buildings within the precinct include the Department of the Treasury and the John Gorton Building. The National Carillon, a gift from the British government which marked 50 years since the establishment of Canberra, is located on Queen Elizabeth II Island.[1] The National Rose Garden is located beside old Parliament House and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is located in front of it. Reconciliation Place, a monument to reconciliation between Australia's indigenous people and the settler population is located near the High Court. The National Archives and 'West Block' – old departmental offices – are located behind the Old Parliament House near Kings Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue respectively. Other government departments, such as the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet are located in the suburb of Barton nearby.
Connection with Washington, D.C., and Brasília
There are similarities with the design of Canberra and that of Washington, D.C., and Brasília. The three cities consist of triangles that link up the House of Government with other monuments and important places.
Restaurants and recreation
The National Triangle has several dining and recreational facilities which cater to the large number of departmental employees, tourists and Canberra locals. Cafes are located in the National Gallery and National Library. 'The Lobby' located near Old Parliament House and the 'Café in the House' located within it, are restaurants popular with public servants. The Café in the House has recently developed into a trendy bar popular with younger public servants on Friday evenings. The 'Waters Edge' is a restaurant located in Commonwealth Place.
See also
External reference
- Parliament Act 1974
- City Hill - Urban Services
- The National Capital Expands - NCA
- Parliamentary Zone Info Sheet
- v
- t
- e
and structures
- ACT Heritage Library
- ACT Memorial
- All Saints Church
- Australian Army Memorial
- Australia Forum
- Australian Merchant Navy Memorial
- Australian War Memorial
- Australian–American Memorial
- Basser Library
- Big Coins
- Black Mountain Tower
- Captain James Cook Memorial
- Centenary House
- Edmund Barton Building
- Gus's
- High Court of Australia Building
- Hotel Canberra
- Hotel Kurrajong
- Korean War Memorial
- Legislative Assembly Building
- The Lodge
- Lovett Tower
- Mercure Hotel
- Mount Stromlo Observatory
- National Carillon
- National Gallery of Australia Research Library
- Old Parliament House
- Owl sculpture
- Parliament House
- QT Canberra
- Royal Australian Mint
- St John the Baptist Church
- Scrivener Dam
- Supreme Court
- Tilley's
- Yarralumla
- Yarralumla brickworks
- John Gorton Building
open spaces
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Black Mountain Peninsula
- Canberra Nature Park
- Canberra Peace Park
- City Hill
- Cockington Green Gardens
- Commonwealth Park
- Commonwealth Place
- Constitution Place
- Corroboree Park
- Glebe Park
- Haig Park
- Kings Park
- Lennox Gardens
- Lindsay Pryor National Arboretum
- Magna Carta Place
- Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve
- National Arboretum Canberra
- National Rose Garden
- Telopea Park
- Weston Park
- Yarramundi Reach
institutions
- Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Australian Institute of Anatomy
- Australian National University Classics Museum
- Blundells Cottage
- Cameron Offices, Belconnen
- Canberra Glassworks
- Canberra Museum and Gallery
- Canberra Railway Museum
- National Archives of Australia
- National Film & Sound Archive
- National Gallery of Australia
- National Library of Australia
- National Museum of Australia
- National Portrait Gallery
- Questacon
- AIS Arena
- Australian Institute of Sport
- Canberra International Sports & Aquatic Centre
- Canberra Stadium
- Canberra Yacht Club
- Deakin Stadium
- Gungahlin Enclosed Oval
- Manuka Oval
- McKellar Park
- Narrabundah Ballpark
- National Hockey Centre
- Phillip Ice Skating Centre
- Phillip Oval
- Royal Canberra Golf Club
- Southern Cross Stadium
- Viking Park
- Woden Park
and islands
- Lake Burley Griffin
- Queen Elizabeth II Island
- Spinnaker Island
- Springbank Island
35°18′S 149°08′E / 35.300°S 149.133°E / -35.300; 149.133
References
- ^ "National Carillon". National Capital Authority. Retrieved 5 June 2022.