National Carillon
A 50-metre bell tower on Aspen Island in the lake, with 55 bells. It hosts regular outdoor carillon recitals.
The tower was a gift from the British government to mark the 50th anniversary of Canberra's founding. It was completed in 1970. Three white pillars support 55 bells, making it one of the largest carillons in the world. Recitals are held at set times each week, usually at midday on Wednesdays and Sundays, and you can sit on the lakeside grass to listen. You can walk to Aspen Island over a footbridge, but the tower is not often open to climb. It is free and makes a nice stop on a lakeside cycle.
Opening hours
Island open all day; performance times on official website
Nearby sights
- National Gallery of Australia
- High Court of Australia
- National Portrait Gallery
- Questacon
- Anzac Parade
- National Library of Australia
- Old Parliament House (Museum of Australian Democracy)
- Commonwealth Park & Floriade