Cycle Around the Lake Burley Griffin Circuit

23/08/2020

SHARED 8 TIMES

23/08/2020

SHARED 8 TIMES

Get on your bike and go for a lap of the Lake Burley Griffin circuit in the heart of Canberra.

Highlights

See all the best sights of the ACT without stressing about traffic and parking
28km bicycle loop of Lake Burley Griffin
2.5 hours (little longer with stops)

Say what you will about our nation’s capital, but Canberra has an excellent bicycle lane network around Lake Burley Griffin. Not only does this offer a green, healthy option to commuters but it is perfect for an inner-city adventure.

I had planned a trip to visit a mate for the weekend and this seemed like the perfect introduction to the city for us lazy scoundrels.

Cycling Through City and Scrub

From the suburb of Hughes, a 4km pedal brought us to the Lake Burley Griffin, near Yarralumla Peninsula, where we quickly made a left to avoid getting our helmets wet.

With the bulk of the navigation complete, we simply followed the bike path, keeping the water on our right. We passed through riverside parks, around a golf course, over gentle inclines, over and under bridges, and back to Yarralumla Peninsula.

On the way, we passed most of the major attractions of Canberra, and while we didn’t visit any that day, it gave us plenty of ideas for our next visit.

Surprisingly, the different areas of the circuit had distinct characters. From busy parks and footpaths around key tourist areas, stretches of M.A.M.I.L.s (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) zooming past on training rides, to the relatively remote and unpopulated areas in the east and Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve.

Read more: Mt Majura Sunset Hike

Don’t Forget to Wet Your Whistle

There are regularly-spaced water fountains along the route, which can be split into three separate loops using the Commonwealth Ave and Kings Ave bridges.

These could also be used to cut the ride short. There are plenty of places to stop for a picnic or, as we did, a pint while watching Namibia thrash New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup.

Come to think of it, that may have been wishful thinking…

After the game, our post-match weaving and unplanned detours we made around a couple of the peninsulas, added to the 28km. We enjoyed every metre of it.

So if you’re thinking of visiting the ACT, a perfect day awaits you around the Lake Burley Griffin circuit. If you already live there – what’re you waiting for?

Essential Gear

Bicycle: These can be rented or you could use share a bike
Helmet
Sunscreen
Water
Picnic

How To Get There

You can start and end the circuit anywhere around the lake, just ride straight to it from wherever you’re staying.

Alternatively, there are numerous lakeside car parks where you can leave your vehicle for the day. Since it doesn’t matter where you start, pick one of the quieter ones, such as at Jerrabomberra Wetlands.