Commonwealth Park is a 34-hectare public park managed by the National Capital Authority, situated on the northern shore of Lake Burley Griffin in the Parkes district of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. This guide covers opening hours, entry details, parking, public transport options, accessibility, and practical tips for visiting the park and its key annual events.
Last updated May 2026. Floriade 2026 is confirmed to run from 12 September to 11 October 2026 – guides written before mid-2026 may still show the 2025 dates.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Regatta Place, Parkes ACT 2600 |
| Park opening hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Boundless Playground hours | 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (7:00 am – 8:00 pm during daylight saving) |
| Entry | Free (park and Floriade); NightFest requires a separate ticket |
| Floriade 2026 dates | 12 September – 11 October 2026 |
| Nearest public transport | 10–15 minute walk from Civic bus interchange; buses stop on Constitution Ave |
| Parking | Limited free parking at Regatta Point; city car parks during Floriade |
| Typical visit length | 1–2 hours (general visit); 3–5 hours during Floriade or Stage 88 events |
Commonwealth Park opening hours
The park itself is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no gates or closures. The Boundless Playground (an enclosed all-abilities play space adjacent to the park in Kings Park) has set hours: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, extending to 8:00 pm during daylight saving time, which in Canberra runs from the first Sunday in October to the first Sunday in April.
Stage 88, the park’s outdoor concert venue, opens according to individual event schedules. Check the National Capital Authority website or the specific event organiser for concert times. The Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet operates daily from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm; it may be suspended during high winds or drought conditions.
Entry to Commonwealth Park
Entry to Commonwealth Park is free year-round. There is no admission charge and no booking required for a general visit to the park, its walking trails, ponds, sculptures, or picnic areas.
Floriade, the annual spring flower festival held in the park each September and October, is also free and does not require a ticket for daytime entry. NightFest, a four-night after-dark component of Floriade, is separately ticketed. For Floriade 2026 (12 September – 11 October), NightFest runs from 1 to 4 October; tickets go on sale through the official Floriade website ahead of the event.
Because Commonwealth Park has no admission fee, it is not included in city pass schemes such as the Go City pass. Those passes cover paid attractions in Canberra including the National Museum of Australia, Questacon, and the National Arboretum.
How to get to Commonwealth Park
On foot: Commonwealth Park is a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Civic bus interchange in central Canberra. The lakeside path from the city centre provides a direct walking and cycling route.
By bus: Transport Canberra services stop on Constitution Avenue, close to the park’s northern boundary. Routes serving this stop include those departing from the London Circuit / Akuna Street stop in Civic, with services running approximately every 10 to 15 minutes. Bus fares cost $1–$4 depending on the journey. Check the Transport Canberra website for current timetables.
By bicycle: Sealed bike paths run along the Lake Burley Griffin shoreline directly to the park. Bicycle racks are available at Regatta Point near the main car park.
By rideshare or taxi: Drop-off on Regatta Place is straightforward during non-event periods. During Floriade, road access near the park is restricted; allow additional time.
Parking at Commonwealth Park
A small number of free parking spaces are available at Regatta Point off Regatta Place during regular visits. These fill quickly on weekends and public holidays.
During Floriade, on-site parking is not available. Visitors are advised to use paid city car parks in the Canberra CBD and National Triangle areas, or the accessible parking area at Regatta Point (limited accessible bays available). Free shuttle buses operate to the festival entrance during Floriade; details are published on the Floriade website closer to the event. Walking or cycling from the city centre is the most reliable option during the festival period.
How long to spend at Commonwealth Park
A general visit to Commonwealth Park – walking the lakeside paths, viewing the sculptures, and visiting the National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point – typically takes one to two hours. Families with children using the Boundless Playground should allow additional time; the playground is large and popular.
During Floriade, allow a minimum of three to four hours to see the flower displays, markets, entertainment, and workshops. Visitors attending Stage 88 events should check the event duration in advance.
Accessibility at Commonwealth Park
The park’s main lakeside paths and open lawns are flat and suitable for wheelchairs and prams. The Boundless Playground was purpose-built as an all-abilities inclusive play space, with wheelchair-accessible equipment, pram-friendly surfaces, accessible toilets, and barbecue facilities. Additional accessible car parking spaces are located at the Boundless car park off Kings Park.
Some informal paths away from the main lakeside route include uneven surfaces. The Stage 88 amphitheatre is on a gentle grassed slope; accessible viewing areas are available. During Floriade, accessible parking is provided at Regatta Point in a limited number of bays; early arrival is recommended.
Inside Commonwealth Park: what to see and do
Floriade is the park’s primary annual event. Held each spring, it features over one million flower bulbs planted in themed garden beds across the park, alongside daily live entertainment, food stalls, horticultural workshops, and market traders. Floriade 2026 runs from 12 September to 11 October. NightFest (1–4 October) adds an evening programme with illuminated garden displays and live performances. Dogs’ Day Out on 11 October allows leashed dogs into the festival. The Great Big Bulb Dig on 12 October lets visitors take home bulbs from the festival garden beds.
Stage 88 is a permanent outdoor stage and amphitheatre used for the Symphony in the Park concert, public holiday events, and touring music acts throughout the year. The grassed seating area accommodates large crowds; bring a picnic blanket for general events.
The Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet operates daily from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The jet is located in the central basin of Lake Burley Griffin, with the best viewing point from the Regatta Point area of the park.
Sculptures and memorials are spread throughout the park, including works by Dame Barbara Hepworth and Bruce Radke. A self-guided ‘Art in the Park’ activity sheet is available from the National Capital Exhibition.
The National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point, within the park, provides free interactive displays about the planning and design of Canberra. It includes models, maps, and historical photographs, and is open during standard visitor hours.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| During Floriade, the park is busiest on weekends; visiting on a weekday, particularly Monday to Wednesday, will mean smaller crowds and easier access to the garden beds and food stalls. |
| The Captain Cook Memorial Water Jet operates from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm daily; if seeing the jet is a priority, plan to be at Regatta Point within that window. |
| On-site parking fills quickly at weekends year-round; arriving on foot or by bicycle from Civic avoids parking difficulties regardless of whether an event is on. |
| The Boundless Playground is fully enclosed and free, making it a practical stop for families at any time of year; bring a picnic as barbecue facilities are available on site. |
| During NightFest (part of Floriade), book tickets in advance through the official Floriade website as sessions sell out; check the event page for the on-sale date, which is typically announced in July. |
Frequently asked questions about Commonwealth Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Commonwealth Park free to enter? | Yes. The park is free to enter year-round. Floriade daytime entry is also free. NightFest, the after-dark Floriade event held over four nights in early October, requires a separately purchased ticket. |
| Is Commonwealth Park suitable for children? | Yes. The park has the Boundless Playground (an all-abilities, fully enclosed play space), open lawns, and picnic areas. During Floriade, dedicated children’s workshops and activities are programmed across the festival period. |
| Is Commonwealth Park open on public holidays? | Yes. The park is open 24 hours a day, including all public holidays. The Boundless Playground maintains its standard hours on public holidays. |
| Where is parking for Commonwealth Park? | A small free car park is available at Regatta Point off Regatta Place. During Floriade, on-site parking is not available; visitors should use city car parks and walk, or take a free shuttle bus. |
| When is Floriade 2026? | Floriade 2026 runs from 12 September to 11 October 2026 at Commonwealth Park. NightFest falls on 1–4 October, and Dogs’ Day Out is on 11 October. Full programme details will be released closer to the event at floriadeaustralia.com. |
Things to do near Commonwealth Park
National Library of Australia – Located directly across Lake Burley Griffin from the park, a short walk via Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, the National Library holds free public exhibitions and reading rooms.
High Court of Australia – Situated adjacent to the National Library on the southern side of the lake, the High Court building is open to the public and offers free access to its public gallery and atrium.
National Gallery of Australia – A short walk from the High Court, Australia’s national art collection is free to enter for the permanent collection, with ticketed temporary exhibitions.
Lake Burley Griffin foreshore path – A sealed 35-kilometre loop encircles the lake and passes through Commonwealth Park; the eastern stretch from the park to Acton Peninsula is a straightforward one- to two-hour return walk.
National Arboretum Canberra – Approximately six kilometres west of the park by car, the National Arboretum features 250 hectares of single-species forests with walking trails and views over Canberra. Entry is free; parking is paid.
What to visit tomorrow: parks and nature reserves within two hours of Canberra
Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra (5 km, ~10 minutes) – Free entry to a nationally significant collection of Australian native plants on the slopes of Black Mountain, with guided tours at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm daily. Parking is paid.
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve (40 km, ~45 minutes south) – A wildlife reserve where kangaroos, koalas, platypus, and emus can be observed at close range on 22 marked walking trails. Open daily; vehicle entry fees apply.
Namadgi National Park (30 km, ~35 minutes south) – An alpine and sub-alpine national park covering roughly 46% of the ACT, with more than 160 km of walking trails ranging from short strolls to multi-day hikes. Free entry; the visitor centre is on Naas Road, Tharwa.
Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay (180 km, ~2 hours southeast) – A coastal national park with white-sand beaches, Aboriginal cultural sites, and botanic gardens. Vehicle entry fee applies. Best combined with a full day trip.
Tulip Tops Gardens, Sutton Road (35 km, ~35 minutes north) – A private tulip garden open during the spring flowering season (typically mid-September to mid-October), offering a quieter alternative to Floriade with on-site parking. Entry is ticketed; check the Tulip Tops website for current season dates and prices.
