Lake Burley Griffin

Created in 1963 after the Molonglo River was dammed, Lake Burley Griffin is Canberra's centerpiece, named after the American architect Walter Burley Griffin who won the design competition for the city of Canberra. The lake and surrounding areas are used for a wide range of recreational activities, particularly fishing in the warmer months. Numerous national institutions and national public places are located on or near its shores, with Australia's Parliament House only a short distance away.